Fractional CMO
This support gives you executive-level leadership without hiring a full-time CMO before your business is ready.
Fractional CMO Leadership is…
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Fractional CMO Leadership is strategic ownership of your marketing direction without adding a full-time executive to payroll. It provides decision-making support at the leadership level, clear priorities tied to business goals, and ongoing guidance for your internal team. This is embedded leadership, not task execution.
How do you know you need a Fractional CMO?
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Activity exists, but priorities and direction shift depending on who is making the call.
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They are capable (you hired them!) they just need clarity on what matters and why.
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Important marketing choices stall because you are the only one positioned to make them.
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You want oversight without having to manage every detail yourself.
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You need executive-level thinking, just not a full-time executive commitment.
How I come in as your Fractional CMO
I do not enter your organization asking: What should we post next?
I ask questions like:
Where does revenue actually originate in this business, and where does it stall?
What customer behavior are we measuring versus assuming?
What friction exists between marketing activity and operational capacity?
If we stopped half of what you’re doing today, what would actually impact revenue?
What decisions are you avoiding because no one has owned them fully?
With over a decade of deeply strategic work alongside executive leadership, I bring:
experience leading multi-person teams
fluency in translating analytics into action
strategic collaboration at the senior level
the ability to see patterns quickly and cut noise decisively
My role is to bring clarity, direction, and confident decision-making to marketing so your team can execute without guessing and you can lead without carrying everything alone.
If you’re reading this and thinking,
“This is exactly what’s been missing,”
This partnership is application-based and limited to organizations ready for executive-level collaboration.
The Chemistry of Collaboration
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![Two women smiling and hugging, one holding a navy folder from the State of Washington.]()
“Elaine has shown incredible professionalism, care, and ingenuity in evolving our social media and digital presence into rich, robust channels. Thanks to her hard work, we now reach our audiences in new, creative, and more effective ways. She has been essential in helping the State Auditor’s Office fulfill its vision of increasing trust in government.”
- Pat McCarthy, Washington State Auditor
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![Leslie Davenport]()
“Elaine is a true friend who listens with care, speaks with insight, and shows up with heart. She’s smart, reliable, and creative, bringing warmth and wisdom to every interaction. Her natural ability to connect with others, paired with her integrity, experience, and follow-through, are the perfect combination for crafting strong relationships and impactful work.”
- Leslie Davenport, Author of All The Feelings Under the Sun
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![A woman wearing a black hat and a yellow scarf, smiling for the photo.]()
“Within just 30 days of working with Elaine, we secured over $107,000 in new digital business and brought key campaigns to fruition. Her expertise and strategic approach created immediate, measurable impact.”
- Bernie F., The McClatchy Company
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![A woman with glasses and long dark hair sitting on a beige armchair in front of an orange wall with a large penguin mural, smiling.]()
“I had the privilege of training Elaine when she first joined PRH, and it was immediately clear she had a curious mind and a talent for asking intelligent, strategic questions. She brought a warm, uplifting energy to our team and excelled at facilitating meaningful connections within the group. Elaine is also an exceptional public speaker, presenting her ideas with confidence, clarity, and flair.”
- Lizzi D., Penguin Random House
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![A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a black top smiling indoors, with a lamp and a shelf in the background.]()
“Elaine has been a vital part of our team and an exceptional partner to work with. Her dedication to our mission is unwavering, and her meticulous approach to data analysis has directly contributed to the success of our campaigns. She combines analytical precision with a collaborative spirit, making her an invaluable asset.”
- Caitlin L., Penguin Random House
What does our Fractional CMO Partnership Look Like?
Every engagement is structured, ongoing, and built for stability.
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A deep evaluation of your marketing ecosystem to identify gaps, leverage points, and immediate priorities.
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High-level strategy, prioritization, campaign direction, and decision-making support.
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Live sessions tailored to your business, services, and goals. These are designed to give your staff context, confidence, and strategic understanding—not generic marketing lessons.
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Ongoing access for questions, feedback, and directional guidance so decisions don’t stall between meetings.
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Think messaging, funnel journey and placement, campaigns, launches; everything is reviewed through a strategic lens before execution to prevent wasted effort.
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I help align marketing and cross-functional teams so everyone understands priorities, roles, and direction, reducing friction and misalignment.
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Clear insight into what’s working, what isn’t, and what we’re adjusting next. I adapt the data and context based on the information that matters most. You see the data that matters most and I tell you why clearly and honestly.
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In addition to monthly work, we hold a dedicated quarterly session to plan ahead, including preparation for seasonal shifts, lull periods, and upcoming growth phases. This ensures marketing stays proactive, not reactive.
Investment starts at $3,560 per month.
A quick note from the element:
Fractional CMO leadership is not a vendor relationship. It is an embedded executive role.
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access to leadership conversations
transparency around performance
willingness to prioritize and make tradeoffs
openness to strategic change
If you’re ready to stop carrying marketing alone, and ready to let someone help lead, I invite you to apply.
Apply for Fractional CMO Leadership
This application helps determine alignment, readiness, and scope. Estimated time to complete: 6–8 minutes.
Partnerships begin at $3,560/month and are designed for organizations ready for strategic leadership and shared ownership of direction.