Passle CMO Series Podcast

Episode 129 - Allan Schoenberg of Vinson & Elkins on Culture, Connection and the Evolving Role of Legal Comms

The role of Communications is the linchpin of effectively managing a law firm’s brand and reputation, not to mention being a key player in the development and success of a firm’s culture. 

Today, Will Eke is lucky to welcome Allan Schoenberg, who is celebrating 3 years as Chief Communications Officer at Vinson & Elkins, to the CMO Series Podcast to discuss his unique career journey, and the pivotal role communications plays in today’s firms. 

Allan and Will discuss:

• Allan’s career journey to his current role as Chief Communications Officer at Vinson & Elkins 
• The work dynamic he has with the Chief Business Development Officer and Chief Innovation Officer and the key to working together successfully
• How the role of Communications in law firms is evolving, and how the landscape has changed
• The key projects Allan wanted to get started on when he joined the firm
• How to demonstrate the value you're bringing through Communications to the managing partners and wider firm
• The greatest achievements in the role so far
• Advice for Communications professionals working within law firms

 

Episode 128 - Melodie Tilley of FordHarrison on Creating A Culture Of Human Connection In Legal Marketing

While remote and hybrid working has become the norm for many, establishing real human connections can be a challenge. Creating a culture of meaningful connection and collaboration in a law firm requires intention.

 

Eugene McCormick is lucky to welcome someone who has not only created a culture of human connection within the legal marketing and BD team, but across the entire firm and multiple geographies. Melodie Tilley, Chief Client Development Officer at FordHarrison, joins the CMO Series Podcast to share her insights on how to do it effectively.

 

Melodie and Eugene discuss:

• The point in Melodie’s career she realized the importance of human connection and creating a culture that enables that to happen 
• How to successfully run internal and external events that build connections and collaboration 
• The challenges and barriers to success in getting those events off the ground
• How physical events align with content strategy and other marketing and BD activities
• How coaching programs are helping foster human connections across the business
• The impact on the marketing team and the wider firm 
• Advice for other marketing and BD leaders looking to create more opportunities for human connection in their firm

 

 

CMO Series REPRESENTS - Terra Davis of Knobbe Martens on Fostering Psychological Safety, Inclusion and Belonging

On this episode of the CMO Series REPRESENTS Podcast, Yasmin Zand is lucky to sit down with Terra Davis, Chief Diversity & Talent Development Officer at Knobbe Martens. Terra joins the series to share her journey, why she started advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion, and the critical role of psychological safety in law firms.

Terra discusses the strategies and programs she is working on to drive change and innovation to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone belongs, as well as advice for others looking to promote psychological safety within their firms. 

Episode 127 - Karen Snell of Kennedys on Modernising & Globalising a BD function

The Business Development function is becoming more professional and more valued by services firms, but there is still a need to modernise and bring global teams together to develop best practice approaches.

On today’s CMO Series Podcast, Charles Cousins welcomes Karen Snell, Chief Business Development & Marketing Officer at Kennedys to discuss how she and her team are becoming more effective as a modern global BD function.

Karen and Charles discuss:

• Why modernising and globalising a BD function is something Marketing & BD leaders should be thinking about
• How Karen came to her role at Kennedys, and when she realised that modernising and globalising the function was needed
• How to decide the priorities and what the focus is at this stage of the project
• The approach for incorporating data and client feedback
• How to ensure consistency and best practice across global regions that is recognisable across the firm
• What success looks like for the next 2-5 years
• Advice for marketing leaders wondering how they can build a more modern and effective BD function

Episode 126 - Nicole Miles Of Dentons On What It Takes To Build An Effective Approach To Business Development

Every law firm is at a different stage of professionalizing its approach to business development. Today, Will Eke has the pleasure of talking to Nicole Miles the Chief Clients & Markets Officer for Dentons Canada Region, to find out what it takes to build an effective, globally-minded approach to legal business development.

Nicole and Will discuss:

• The importance of BD in today’s firms and what is driving that
• How Nicole came to her role at Dentons and how the role and approach to Legal Marketing and Business Development have progressed throughout that career journey
• Denton’s Global Growth Program and the goals for that initiative
• The biggest changes that clients and firms need to make to see the value of marketing and business development
• How to tailor the BD approach to suit a unique structure and the opportunities and challenges that arise from that
• Advice for marketing leaders wondering how they can build a more modern and effective BD function

Episode 125 - Sona Spencer of Troutman Pepper on Being an Advocate for Talent

In a people-driven business like a law firm, talent isn't just important—it's the linchpin for success. In this episode of the CMO Series, Eugene McCormick sits down with Sona Spencer, Chief Legal Talent Officer at Troutman Pepper, to explore her crucial role as a talent advocate and how talent becomes the driving force behind the firm's commercial achievements.

 

Sona and Eugene discuss:

• How Sona came to her role at Troutman Pepper and the moment in her journey she realised how critical talent was to the success of the firm
• The scope of Sona’s role as Chief Legal Talent Officer and how it connects to other functions such as HR
• The main challenges facing talent within law firms and the key considerations including DEI and generational differences 
• How to go about building a strategy for talent that will lead to success for the firm and its people
• How the recent merger of the firm affects Sona’s role in the short and medium-term
• The essential tools and skills of a talent officer
• Advice for others looking to advocate for and unlock the potential of the talent at their firm

 

Episode 124 - Brianna Leung of Much Shelist on How a Law Firm Strategy is Made

Marketers and Business Development professionals are crucial to the success of a law firm's strategy, yet for many, the way firms create their strategy remains a mystery. 

On this episode of the CMO Series Podcast, Alistair Bone welcomes Brie Leung, Chief Strategy Officer at Much Shelist, to help demystify the strategic planning process and discuss the role of a Chief Strategy Officer in designing and executing an effective law firm strategy.

Brie and Ali discuss:

• How a law firm strategy happens and the steps to creating one
• How Brie came to her role as Chief Strategy Officer, and the moment she realized she was able to add real value to a firm
• The ‘design process’ and why Brie refers to it in that way
• The definition of an effective strategy
• How to start implementing a strategic plan
• The process of keeping to the plan in the medium to long term
• How to tell if you are successful with a strategic plan
• Advice for those trying to improve the way their firm designs and executes a strategy

 

CMO Series REPRESENTS - Beyond Sight: Advancing Accessibility in Digital Marketing with Tim Dixon of Intertek

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion landscape is ever-changing, but there is one critical aspect that is often overlooked - accessibility.  

On this episode of CMO Series REPRESENTS, we are honoured to speak with Tim Dixon, Head of IT Architecture at Intertek, who has expertise in driving business value through Enterprise Architecture and a deep personal commitment to advocating for accessibility, particularly for people living with sight loss.

Tim joins the series to share his sight loss journey, discuss the opportunities for marketers to solve the challenges he has experienced first-hand, and offer his guidance for those looking to up their accessibility game. 

CMO Series REPRESENTS - In the Spotlight: Danielle Smith on Baker Donelson’s Women’s Initiative

The pursuit of an equitable and inclusive workplace is high on the agenda for most firms. Today, we shine a spotlight on Baker Donelson, a firm committed to redefining industry standards with its Women’s Initiative program.

Yasmin Zand has the honor of welcoming Danielle Smith, the Women's Initiative Manager at Baker Donelson to the series to share her personal experiences that have fueled her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

Join us as we take a deep dive into the innovative programs and progressive family policies implemented by Baker Donelson, exploring how they are breaking new ground and setting a powerful example for the legal profession.

Episode 123 - Michael Rynowecer of The BTI Consulting Group on The War on Talent: Opportunities For Today’s Legal CMOs

On our recent CMO Series Webinar Will Eke was delighted to be joined by Michael Rynowecer, President of BTI Consulting Group to delve into their insights on CMO mobility and the opportunities for law firms and marketers in today’s climate. 

A summary of the session, along with the video recording, is available here.

During the Webinar, Michael and Will explored: 

• The background to BTI’s research on CMOs
• The ‘stand out’ findings AND the current state of play for CMOs in the legal industry
• The most surprising insights
• The key differences between US and UK markets
• The reaction from CMOs who have seen the research
• The impact for CMOs, from their careers to their day-to-day
• What law firms should be doing differently to retain their talent
• The main opportunities for CMOs in today's market