Results-driven CMO with a proven track record in DTC and eCommerce growth, specializing in rapid profitability transformations and brand-driven marketing. I lead with a blend of strategic vision and hands-on execution, leveraging AI and data to drive efficiencies, optimize paid media, and accelerate growth. Known for creating memorable, buzzworthy brand experiences, I build consumer journeys that attract, engage, and retain loyal customers.
With extensive experience in digital transformations and innovative marketing, I lead cross-functional teams to deliver high-ROI campaigns and create lasting brand impact through PR, influencer partnerships, experimental marketing and affiliate networks.
Core Competencies:
- Digital Transformation & AI-Driven Efficiency: Drive digital transformations by integrating AI and data insights, optimizing customer engagement, and boosting operational efficiency to support rapid, scalable growth.
- Performance Marketing & Paid Media Optimization: Lead paid media strategies across PPC, retargeting, and display advertising, ensuring cost efficiency and maximum ROI in every campaign.
- PR & Brand Amplification: Shape compelling PR and brand narratives that build visibility, generate buzz, resonate with audiences, and drive reputation and trust.
- Influencer & Affiliate Marketing for Demand Generation: Develop impactful influencer partnerships and affiliate programs to expand reach, generate demand, and drive sales.
- Customer Acquisition & Retention: Craft high-impact, full-funnel strategies across email, content, and social channels to attract and retain loyal customers in DTC environments.
- Data-Driven Insights & ROI Optimization: Expert in conversion rate optimization and metrics (CAC, LTV, ROAS) to improve performance, optimize spend, and scale profitably.
- Product Lifecycle & Go-to-Market Strategy: Lead market analysis, competitive pricing, and launch strategies to create compelling experiences that align with brand vision.
- Team Leadership & Agility: Build high-performing, agile teams that thrive in fast-paced environments, fostering collaboration, accountability and driving impactful results.
Ecommerce & Digital Experience
Chief Marketing Officer
Privately Held (Pre-Series A) DTC eCommerce Company | Subscription-Based Telehealth Services | 2022 - Present
Specializing in Hormone & Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Primary Care, Nutrition and Life Coaching
- Strategic Transformation: Led the overhaul of eCommerce sales and performance marketing strategies, significantly enhancing brand visibility and driving revenue growth across all digital channels.
- Cost Efficiency Achievements: Reduced cost per lead (CPL) by 82%, from $38.50 to $6.80, through innovative, data-driven marketing initiatives and full-stack execution.
- Growth Metrics: Achieved a 111% quarter-over-quarter increase in patient subscriptions, while simultaneously reducing customer acquisition costs (CAC) by 133% and improving lead quality and volume by 250%.
- Brand and Digital Revamp: Revitalized brand messaging and value propositions; launched a new SEO-optimized website within 45 days, significantly improving market positioning and user engagement.
- Innovative Sales Solutions: Developed an AI-powered, touch-free sales conversion model, reducing patient onboarding time from three weeks to just 72 hours, enhancing conversion efficiency and elevating the overall customer experience.
Board Advisor | Chief Marketing Officer
Privately Held Multi-State Licensed Mental Health Telehealth Practice | 2020 – Present
Specializing in Personalized Counseling and Coaching Services for Individuals and Couples
- Award-Winning Campaigns: Recipient of the International Silver Business Globee Award for groundbreaking approach in our marketing campaigns that break down barriers and change the narrative around mental health care services.
- Strategic Growth Leadership: Drive strategic growth and market positioning through executive-level guidance across marketing, branding, operations, HR, and client acquisition, establishing a leading presence in California and Florida markets.
- Collaborative Business Strategy Development: Work closely with the executive team to formulate long-term business strategies, ensuring alignment with marketing and operational goals to maximize sustainable growth.
- Elevated Brand Messaging: Enhance brand messaging and service positioning through consistent, multi-channel demand generation campaigns, leading to improved engagement and increased client acquisition.
- Digital Marketing Expertise: Spearhead digital marketing initiatives that drive client acquisition, expand brand awareness, and strengthen market leadership.
- Competitive Analysis and Differentiation: Conduct comprehensive competitive analysis and market differentiation strategies, aligning positioning with operational objectives to effectively engage target audiences.
- Operational Efficiency Optimization: Streamline operational efficiencies and infrastructure to support scalable growth, focusing on innovative practices and synergizing marketing and operations to maintain a competitive edge.
- Client Retention Strategies: Enhance client retention through tailored strategies that integrate operational efforts with marketing initiatives, fostering sustainable expansion across service locations.
Chief Marketing Officer
Privately Held IoT, Telehealth and Home Health SaaS | 2020 - 2022
Specializing in IoT/Smart Technology, RPM, and COVID-19 Solutions
- Explosive Growth: Achieved 500%+ YoY growth in customer base and revenue through strategic branding, digital marketing, and performance-based customer acquisition. Enhanced social engagement by 105% and increased impressions by 280%.
- Integrated Demand Generation: Developed and executed comprehensive demand generation campaigns, attaining an average 16% conversion rate and a 65.8% increase in qualified web traffic, generating 1,645 sales-qualified leads (SQLs) annually.
- PR and Analyst Relations: Established an in-house PR and analyst relations program, garnering 106 global awards in 2021 at no entry cost, positioning the company as a recognized leader in telehealth and IoT technology.
- Data-Driven Infrastructure: Built a robust marketing and sales infrastructure focused on data-driven lead nurturing, Account-Based Marketing (ABM), campaign performance tracking, and ROI analysis, enhancing pipeline visibility and optimizing resource allocation.
- Cross-Functional Product Launches: Spearheaded product launch strategies by supporting sales enablement and orchestrating digital and PR campaigns, maximizing market penetration and amplifying brand presence.
Competitive Marketing Advantage
Full-Time, On-Site, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at clients | 2014 – 2020
Engaged by Venture Capitalists, Board of Directors and CEO's of start-ups and public companies to provide interim executives on 6-12 month assignments to drive rapid sales and marketing turnarounds designed to revitalize and refocus organizations by getting the "train back on the tracks".
Key Contributions:
- Organizational Turnarounds: Engaged to assess and rectify underperforming sales and marketing functions, developing and executing comprehensive strategies that deliver measurable ROI. Focused on resolving organizational challenges while building infrastructure to make operations not only profitable but also competitive and aligned with business growth and market share objectives. While overhauling the organization, I simultaneously work toward the end goal of seamlessly onboarding permanent departmental leadership to sustain turnaround efforts and retool the existing team with new skills, perspectives, and a foundation for success.
- Exclusive On-Site Engagements: Seamlessly integrate into in-house management teams, collaborating with and energizing existing staff to implement performance-driven marketing initiatives aligned with the company’s vision and objectives.
- Results-Oriented Marketing Programs: Design and implement data-driven digital demand generation and customer acquisition strategies that deliver qualified traffic, boost conversions, and expand market share, enhancing customer relationships and increasing average order value.
- Collaborative Leadership: Serve as an executive change agent, working alongside internal teams to cultivate a culture of innovation and accountability. Provide assistance in recruiting additional support when necessary to ensure smooth transitions and sustained growth.
- Innovative Insights: With over 20 years of expertise, consistently uncover and launch groundbreaking marketing initiatives that reinvigorate brands and drive profitable success.
Served as a Chief Marketing and Digital Officer on 6-12-month on-site, exclusive engagements for the various DTC, B2C and B2B companies highlighted below:
(FKA SocialSurvey)
Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
VC-Backed SaaS Start-Up | Customer & Employee Experience and Reputation Management Platform
- Strategic Marketing Leadership: Rebuilt and spearheaded comprehensive, data-driven marketing and sales operations, including Account-Based Marketing (ABM), digital strategy, demand generation, branding, and inside sales infrastructure, driving significant growth and enhancing customer engagement.
- High-Impact Lead Nurturing: Developed and implemented a sophisticated lead nurturing system with advanced campaign tracking and ROI analysis, optimizing resource allocation and providing clear pipeline visibility.
- Targeted Digital Campaigns: Launched focused digital demand generation and growth campaigns that achieved an 80% discovery call rate, 50% demo completion rate, and 20% conversion rate, ensuring consistent pipeline velocity and robust customer acquisition.
- Inside Sales Operations: Established and managed inside sales operations and outreach strategies that streamlined processes and improved lead conversion rates and clean hand-offs to enterprise sales.
DTC eCommerce & Omnichannel Retailer: Global Women’s Apparel, Accessories, Shoes, and Jewelry Brand
- eCommerce Growth & Optimization: Rebuilt and managed global eCommerce sales, implementing performance-based growth marketing and data-driven demand generation and customer acquisition strategies.
- Brand Development & Customer Loyalty: Launched a new brand image, voice, and messaging platform along with the "J.ING Insider" loyalty program in just four weeks, driving customer engagement and retention.
- Revenue & KPI Improvement: Transformed an underperforming eCommerce site into a profitable channel, achieving over 100% month-over-month growth. Increased global site traffic by 67%, product SKUs by 45%, average order value (AOV) by 58%, and digital marketing ROI by 82%.
- Leadership & Team Development: Recruited, motivated, and managed a team of 10+ professionals across marketing, digital, creative, social, IT, development, and customer support, fostering collaboration and accountability to drive results.
Chief Digital Officer
$875M+ Brick & Mortar, DTC eCommerce, and Omnichannel Retailer Overseeing 25+ Apparel, Accessories, Shoes, and Fragrance Brands
* Portfolio Overview:
Led comprehensive transformation efforts across an extensive portfolio of brands, including men’s brands such as Cubavera, Farah, Havanera, John Henry, Original Penguin, Perry Ellis, and Savane; sports and golf brands Ben Hogan, Callaway, Grand Slam, Jack Nicklaus, Nike Swim, and PGA Tour; and women’s brands Jantzen Swimwear, Laundry By Shelli Segal, Peony & Me, and Rafaella.
* eCommerce Transformation:
Rebuilt and implemented a robust eCommerce strategy encompassing merchandising, digital, social media, performance marketing, and data-driven demand generation. This revitalization yielded a double-digit increase in revenue, margin dollars, AOV, and site traffic YoY, resulting in the first positive operating income in 14 months and a 17% reduction in digital marketing expenses.
* Customer-Centric Innovation:
Overhauled customer service processes, streamlined order fulfillment, and upgraded packaging, significantly improving customer satisfaction. Strategized and executed the launch of an in-store and online loyalty program within four weeks across all brands to drive customer retention and cross-channel engagement.
* Revenue Growth & Brand Expansion:
Increased eCommerce revenue contribution by 40% YoY, growing eCommerce’s share of total revenue to 14%. Developed a high-frequency digital and social campaign cadence, creating 48 weekly assets per brand across merchandising, promotions, and performance marketing to ensure steady brand visibility and growth.
* Omnichannel & Digital Media Leadership:
Directed a comprehensive digital strategy for DTC eCommerce websites, Amazon marketplace, and all social media channels. Oversaw P&L management and orchestrated growth marketing and digital media, including PPC, retargeting, Google Shopping, affiliate, and influencer marketing to maximize customer acquisition, conversion, and retention.
* Team Leadership:
Managed a team of 34+ specialists across branding, marketing, creative, merchandising, digital, IT/development, and customer service. Established a high-performance culture that prioritized innovation and results, helping brands like Perry Ellis, Original Penguin, Nike Swim, and Laundry By Shelli Segal strengthen market position and drive significant financial returns.
Executive Director, Global Cloud Marketing Leader
$43B B2B eCommerce Marketplace | SaaS Cloud Services & IoT Provider
- Global Strategy & Demand Generation: Directed the global marketing strategy across 26 countries, achieving remarkable results: 157% growth in resellers, 414% increase in subscriptions, and 398% expansion in seats for the cloud division year-over-year.
- Integrated Performance Marketing: Launched comprehensive performance marketing and eCommerce campaigns—including targeted events, product bundles, and robust social media initiatives—that generated over $1M in net new marketing margin.
- Unified Messaging & Market Positioning: Developed a cohesive messaging framework and go-to-market strategy for five product acquisitions, facilitating streamlined sales support and enhancing competitive positioning in the marketplace.
- Centralized Marketing Hub: Established a centralized Marketing Hub to optimize collaboration among global marketing, sales, and content teams, significantly improving brand consistency and asset accessibility for resellers and vendors.
MDLIVE (NYSE: CI)
Chief Marketing Officer
MDLIVE | Pre-Acquisition by Cigna
VC-Backed Start-Up | DTC & B2B Telehealth SaaS | 10M+ Members
- Strategic Growth & Digital Transformation: Spearheaded the digital transformation of MDLIVE, enhancing iOS and Android applications and optimizing the customer-focused website, resulting in significant increases in user engagement and satisfaction.
- Partnership Development: Secured and managed a strategic partnership with Walgreens, enhancing customer engagement and driving utilization, thereby strengthening brand reach and market penetration.
- Engagement Metrics: Achieved a 42% increase in registrations, a 64% boost in engagement, a 44% growth in utilization, and a 97% retention rate YoY through the implementation of data-driven, multi-channel engagement marketing programs.
- Robust Demand Generation: Launched high-impact demand generation and customer acquisition campaigns for both DTC and B2B segments, delivering targeted, high-conversion touchpoints that drove sustained growth.
- Innovative Marketing Hub: Developed an interactive Marketing Hub featuring over 275 customizable, high-impact growth marketing assets, empowering clients to enhance local engagement and expand their market presence effectively.
- P&L Leadership: Led and optimized the P&L for the in-house agency, successfully producing over 500 growth marketing projects quarterly to align with strategic and tactical business objectives, ensuring operational excellence and profitability.
(FKA BeMyDD)
EVP, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
Angel-Funded DTC & B2B eCommerce Ridesharing Subscription Service | 76 Cities Across 31 States
- Mobile App & eCommerce Development: Led end-to-end project management for the successful development of a mobile app (iOS and Android) and a revamped eCommerce site, significantly enhancing growth marketing strategies and improving customer experience to drive user engagement.
- Strategic Partnerships: Cultivated high-impact partnerships with major brands such as Total Wine & More, BevMo!, Ciroc, and Jack Daniel’s, boosting brand visibility, customer engagement, and eCommerce sales through collaborative marketing initiatives.
- Growth Metrics: Achieved remarkable growth metrics, including a 1,014% YoY increase in new account sign-ups, a 74% rise in web traffic, and a 38% increase in sales, demonstrating the effectiveness of marketing strategies and brand positioning.
- Rapid Brand Launch: Successfully launched a new brand and go-to-market strategy within 30 days, leveraging social media, digital marketing, PR, and performance-based demand generation to rapidly expand brand presence and drive customer acquisition.
- Data-Driven Demand Generation: Developed and implemented data-driven acquisition and demand generation programs, resulting in a 33% increase in January sales orders and a 53% boost in new account registrations YoY, effectively overcoming seasonal challenges.
- Market Positioning: Positioned Dryver as a leading ridesharing alternative to Uber and Lyft, securing over 700 media and social placements and establishing a robust market foothold through strategic public relations efforts.
- Campaign Optimization: Designed, measured, and optimized multi-channel marketing campaigns to maximize conversions and engagement, ensuring sustained growth and continuous improvement across all marketing initiatives.
Akamai Technologies (NASDAQ: AKAM)
(FKA: Prolexic Technologies)
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Prolexic Technologies | VC Start-Up Providing Cloud-Based Perimeter Cybersecurity Subscription Services
2011 – 2014
* Strategic Growth Leadership
As the Chief Marketing Officer, I developed and executed a comprehensive, data-driven growth marketing strategy that included refined messaging, compelling value propositions, effective brand positioning, and competitive differentiation. This approach fueled remarkable revenue growth, propelling the company from $14 million to $70 million.
* Rapid Expansion & Acquisition Success
Spearheaded performance-based marketing and inside sales initiatives that resulted in a dramatic increase in workforce from 44 to 220 employees and client base growth from 210 to 450. This transformative strategy culminated in a $370 million acquisition by Akamai, delivering a 2,366% return for the private equity investors.
* Dynamic Team Building & Leadership
Successfully recruited, trained, and managed a high-performing, cross-functional team of 16 in product marketing, global performance marketing, account-based marketing (ABM), and inside sales, driving a culture of accountability and excellence as the sole marketing contributor.
* Multilingual Demand Generation
Launched innovative, data-driven demand generation programs across eight languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish), significantly expanding market reach and customer engagement in diverse regions.
* In-House PR & Content Strategy Development
Initiated and led a robust in-house PR and content strategy that generated over 800 articles, 10+ analyst reports, 1,250+ blogs, and 60,000+ social media posts, solidifying the company’s online presence and authority in the cybersecurity sector.
* SEO Achievements
Implemented a comprehensive SEO initiative that achieved 24 keywords ranking on the first page of Google within just six months, a remarkable increase from zero, significantly enhancing organic visibility and traffic.
* Demand Generation Excellence
Increased demand generation campaign registrations to 27,063 in 2013 (1,265 deals), a substantial rise from 6,222 registrations (232 deals) in 2012, showcasing a proven track record in lead generation and conversion.
* Inside Sales Performance
Drove 187 inside sales deals generating $24 million in 2013, compared to just 61 deals worth $6.2 million in 2012, highlighting the effectiveness of the sales strategy and execution.
* Direct Response Campaign Innovation
Developed 80 direct response campaigns, resulting in 125 sales opportunities and a $16.28 million sales pipeline in 2013, demonstrating strategic thinking and impactful execution.
* Lead Generation & Website Traffic Growth
Increased inbound leads from the call center to 6,682 in 2013, achieving an impressive 27.3x ROI, while boosting average monthly website visits to 82,035, up from 25,000 in the previous year, reflecting successful marketing initiatives.
* AdWords Optimization for Maximum Impact
Optimized the Google AdWords program, achieving 3,976 conversions in 2013 at an efficient cost of $140.61 per conversion, significantly down from $317.93, while increasing total clicks from 70,701 to 144,349.
TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX)
(FKA: TechData)
VP, Marketing Services &
General Manager, TD Agency
2010 - 2011
US$24 billion IT distributor with US$60+ million ad, event, eCommerce growth marketing, demand generation/customer acquisition agency
- New Business Development: Led all new business account pitches, quarterly client reviews, and managed client escalation issues, ensuring client satisfaction and retention.
- P&L Management: Oversaw a $60+ million division, managing the P&L for a 75+ person full-service agency with a blue-chip client list, including notable brands such as Acer, Apple, Avaya, Cisco, EMC, HP, IBM, Lenovo, McAfee, Microsoft, Oracle, Sage, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba, VMWare, and Xerox.
- Value Proposition Development: Launched a new value proposition—Connect, Engage, and Deliver—accompanied by a go-to-market strategy and the Market Discovery consulting program to help clients identify additional value and opportunities for revenue growth and global expansion.
- Expanded Service Offerings: Enhanced agency services to include SEO, SEM, social media, digital marketing, closed-loop demand generation, and ROI tracking, broadening the scope of solutions offered to clients.
- Revenue Growth: Achieved 104% of revenue and profitability targets for the agency, securing $17.5 million in new business in the first quarter following the re-launch.
Additional eCommerce Growth Marketing Achievements:
Capgemini (CAP: EN Paris)
VP, Global Head of Demand Generation
€7.7 Billion Consulting, Technology, eCommerce, and Outsourcing Solutions Provider
2006 – 2008
- Strategic Demand Generation Leadership: Spearheaded the development and implementation of a global demand generation and digital marketing strategy, consolidating 40 regional marketing teams into a unified approach, resulting in a €2.7 million reduction in global spend within 12 months while managing the P&L.
- Global Product Rollout: Led the global rollout of Google Enterprise Apps across 40 countries, generating significant media exposure with coverage in 900+ outlets, and contributing €1.3 billion to the sales pipeline, significantly boosting brand visibility and market reach.
- Business Development: Successfully launched the North America BPO business within 30 days, enabling rapid expansion and increasing the company's market presence in the region.
- Media & Analyst Engagement: Served as the primary spokesperson during 70 media and analyst briefings, driving awareness and effectively communicating the company's value propositions and new initiatives.
Saks Fifth Avenue (NYSE: SKS)
Sales and Marketing Program Associate
- Launched Strategic Back-to-School Promotions & Partnerships: Developed and executed targeted back-to-school promotions in collaboration with prep schools, driving significant sales growth and increased store foot traffic, achieving the highest sales per square foot in the region.
- Top Sales Performer: Consistently ranked as the fourth highest-producing sales representative based on weekly sales metrics, demonstrating a strong ability to drive revenue and exceed targets.
Macy's (NYSE: M)
Sales and Marketing Program Associate
- Strategic Partnerships for Back-to-School Promotions: Initiated and launched back-to-school partnerships with targeted prep schools, significantly boosting sales and increasing store foot traffic.
- Top Regional Sales Performance: Achieved recognition as the fifth highest-producing sales representative in the northeastern region based on hourly sales metrics, showcasing strong sales skills and a results-oriented approach.
Education:
Babson College School of Management
Wellesley, MA
Bachelor of Science (With Distinction)
Dean’s List
Majors: Marketing, Management and International Business
Awarded Sohopfungsbeitrag Preis – for the most creative contribution and innovative impact to Babson
Ready to Transform Your Brand with a Proven CMO?
Let’s discuss how I can bring visionary strategy and hands-on execution to your brand. I’m not just talk—I have a proven track record of delivering real, measurable results, as you can see on my website. With a unique blend of strategic insight and tactical expertise, I don’t just oversee growth—I drive it. I’ll craft a strategy that builds brand loyalty, delivers impactful outcomes, and ensures long-term success—and then I’ll make it happen.
If you're ready for a no-nonsense, results-driven CMO who will elevate your marketing from ordinary to extraordinary, let’s connect. I’m here to turn your goals into milestones and your vision into reality.
Let’s make it happen—contact me today.
Michael E. Donner
+1 (561) 542 7930
#eCommerceDigitalCMO