> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.cmoalliance.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# CMO Convo | Is CEO your next step as a CMO? | Alan Gleeson
- URL: https://www.cmoalliance.com/cmo-convo-is-ceo-your-next-step-as-a-cmo-alan-gleeson/
- Published: 2022-10-19T09:20:03.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-19T09:20:03.000Z
- Description: Historically, CEOs have largely been drawn from CROs or CFOs. But more and more CEOs are appearing on the scene. One such example is Alan Gleeson, who returns to CMO Convo as the CEO and co-founder of Contento.
- Author: Will Whitham
- Tags: Podcasts, CMO Convo, Careers, Leadership, Startups

The CMO role might be the most senior marketing position, but does that mean there's nowhere to go? What if your ambitions want to take you further?

Historically, CEOs have largely been drawn from CROs or CFOs. But more and more CEOs are appearing on the scene. One such example is Alan Gleeson, who returns to CMO Convo as the CEO and co-founder of Contento.

We spoke to him about how the opportunity came about, how he's developing his skills to meet the fresh challenges of the CEO role, and why it can be a major advantage to have CEOs with marketing backgrounds.

[ Listen to the episode and more ](https://www.cmoalliance.com/cmo-convo-podcast/?wchannelid=vmp1p6vrw9&wmediaid=7b0wz2dcvo)

## Key talking points

- The differences between leading as a CMO and as a CEO.
- The advantages of CEOs with marketing backgrounds.
- How to identify the opportunities to make that big step.

## About the guest

Alan Gleeson entered the marketing world via economics and got his first real taste of marketing at Barclays as a Product Marketing Manager. Following the opportunity to head up the UK marketing of Paolo Alto Software, he has immersed himself in both the UK and US B2B SaaS landscape.

Having developed his skill as a Fractional CMO, he has recently stepped into the role of co-founder and CEO of B2B content platform company, Contento.

## Join the conversation

What did you think about this episode? Let us know, contact [hello@cmoalliance.io](https://www.cmoalliance.com/cmo-convo-making-your-customers-your-growth-priority-amanda-malko/hello@cmoalliance.io), speak to us on our socials, or get involved with the discussion on the [CMO Alliance Community](https://www.cmoalliance.com/join-the-community/) Slack channel.  
  
Got something to say on one of our podcasts, or know someone who would be a great guest? Get in touch, contact [contribute@cmoalliance.io](https://www.cmoalliance.com/cmo-convo-making-your-customers-your-growth-priority-amanda-malko/contribute@cmoalliance.io)

---

**In order to be ready for a CEO role, you might need to prove yourself as CMO. Find out what that means in our [CMO Fellowship](https://certified.cmoalliance.com/p/chief-marketing-officer-fellowship/), starting October 31st.**

[ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/09/ff09ec2c-5937-45c2-bd7e-bcc809b43924/content/images/size/w1000/2022/10/CMO_Leaders_Fellowship_CTA_Banners_.png) ](https://certified.cmoalliance.com/p/chief-marketing-officer-fellowship/?%5Fgl=1%2Atpso8g%2A%5Fga%2AMTU2OTUzNzA1OS4xNjU2NjY1NzI4%2A%5Fga%5FFPDG6YCT5K%2AMTY2NjA4NTkyMS4yNDcuMC4xNjY2MDg1OTIzLjAuMC4w)