Maximize Your Growth with an Authentic Brand Fractional CMO

Authentic Brand has emerged as a leader in the fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) space, offering strategic marketing leadership to growing businesses. This review examines their services, pricing, client results, and unique approach to fractional CMO work. For US-based business owners exploring flexible marketing leadership options, Authentic Brand’s combination of experienced executives, proven methodologies, and collaborative frameworks delivers measurable growth while avoiding the costs of full-time hires^[1][3][17].

What Is a Fractional CMO?

A fractional CMO acts as a part-time marketing executive, handling strategy, team leadership, and campaign oversight without requiring a full-time salary. These professionals typically work with multiple clients simultaneously, bringing cross-industry insights to each engagement. The model gained popularity as companies sought senior-level expertise at lower costs—hourly rates range from $200 to $375 compared to $174,000+ annual salaries for full-time CMOs^[1][8][16].

Fractional CMOs solve three core challenges:

1. Cost barriers for small-to-midsize businesses needing executive guidance
2. Skills gaps in areas like digital marketing, branding, and data analytics
3. Strategic misalignment between marketing efforts and business goals

Authentic Brand specializes in building marketing foundations for companies transitioning from grassroots growth to scalable systems^[17][19].

Authentic Brand’s Fractional CMO Services

Founded in 2017, Authentic Brand pioneered a structured approach to fractional CMO work. Their services focus on three pillars:

1. Executive Talent

Authentic employs CMOs as W-2 staff rather than independent contractors, ensuring consistent quality and accountability. Candidates must have 15+ years of experience, cross-industry expertise, and proven success in small business environments^[1][17].

Screening criteria include:

• Leadership in startups or SMBs
• Hands-on experience with digital transformation
• Ability to mentor junior teams

This vetting process contrasts with platforms like MarketerHire, which use AI matching without guaranteed industry specialization^[12].

2. Marketing Traction™ Methodology

Authentic’s proprietary framework organizes marketing efforts into repeatable processes:

1. Foundation Building
   Align marketing goals with overall business objectives, define ideal customer profiles, and audit existing campaigns.

2. Strategic Planning
   Develop 12-month roadmaps detailing budgets, KPIs, and team responsibilities.

3. Execution & Optimization
   Implement campaigns while establishing feedback loops for continuous improvement^[3][19].

A 2024 client case study showed Mercury Mosaics increased qualified leads by 40% within six months using this system^[18].

3. Mindshare Collaboration

Weekly meetings connect Authentic’s CMOs to share insights across industries. When working with a client, the assigned CMO taps this collective knowledge—effectively providing access to 50+ executives’ experience^[17].

What Sets Authentic Brand Apart

Data compiled from Authentic Brand materials and industry reports^[1][12][17].

Key advantages:

• Faster onboarding: Clients report strategy implementation within 30 days versus 90+ days for agencies using generic frameworks^[18].
• Team development: 83% of clients transition to full-time marketing leaders after 18 months, per internal data^[17].
• Transparent pricing: Retainers include predefined hours and outcomes, reducing scope creep risks^[10].

Client Results & Case Studies

Mercury Mosaics: Streamlining Digital Marketing

Challenge: This tile manufacturer struggled with inconsistent digital campaigns and unclear ROI.

Solution: An Authentic CMO reallocated their $250,000 annual budget, hired a performance-focused agency, and implemented tracking systems.

Results:

• 40% increase in qualified leads (Q3 2024)
• 25% reduction in cost per acquisition
• Full-time CMO hired within 8 months^[18]

Pricing & Engagement Models

Authentic Brand offers two pricing tiers:

1. Strategic Advisory

   • 10–15 hours/month
   • Ideal for startups needing foundational guidance
   • Cost: $3,000–$4,500/month

2. Full Leadership

   • 20–30 hours/month
   • Includes team management and P&L accountability
   • Cost: $6,000–$9,000/month

These rates align with industry averages but include methodology access and Mindshare collaboration^[10][16].

Competitor Comparison

Adapted from First Page Sage’s 2025 fractional CMO rankings^[12].

How to Get Started

Authentic Brand uses a four-step onboarding process:

1. Discovery Call
   Discuss business goals, challenges, and timeline (30–60 minutes).

2. Diagnostic Audit
   Review current marketing efforts and team capabilities (2–3 weeks).

3. Proposal
   Receive a customized plan with KPIs, budgets, and milestones.

4. Execution
   Weekly meetings and real-time performance dashboards track progress.

Final Recommendation

Authentic Brand excels for businesses seeking:

• Accountability: CMOs own marketing outcomes rather than just advising.
• Structured Growth: The Marketing Traction™ system prevents random acts of marketing.
• Seamless Transitions: Build internal teams while leveraging fractional support.

However, companies needing ultra-flexible month-to-month contracts or niche expertise (e.g., healthcare compliance) may prefer competitors like Chief Outsiders^[12].

For most SMBs, Authentic Brand delivers the strategic rigor and hands-on leadership required to transform marketing from a cost center to a growth engine^[17][19].

[1]: https://authenticbrand.com

[2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gleCNzvaekQ

[3]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH5vMuLsKqs

[4]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentic_Brands_Group

[5]: https://clutch.co/resources/clutch-commitment-to-authentic-reviews

[6]: https://partnerhub.g2.com/t/solutions/customer-success/build-brand-trust

[7]: https://www.trimarkdigital.com/blog/strategy/how-to-use-customer-testimonials-in-an-authentic-way/

[8]: https://ampleo.com/insights/blog/7-benefits-of-a-fractional-cmo/

[9]: https://www.chiefoutsiders.com/fractional-cmo

[10]: https://authenticbrand.com/article/fractional-cmo-cost/

[11]: https://viamrkting.com/hiring-a-fractional-cmo-considerations-and-steps/

[12]: https://firstpagesage.com/seo-blog/the-top-fractional-cmo-agencies-of-2025/

[13]: https://rickramos.com/the-2024-state-of-fractional-cmo-engagement-insights-from-startup-and-smb-leaders/

[14]: https://cnvcmo.com/why-fractional-cmos-are-in-high-demand-key-trends-and-future-insights/

[15]: https://cmox.co/what-is-a-fractional-cmo/

[16]: https://cmox.co/fractional-cmo-salary/

[17]: https://authenticbrand.com/webinar/overcome-random-acts-of-marketing/

[18]: https://authenticbrand.com/client-story/mercury-mosaics-client-story/

[19]: https://authenticbrand.com/article/authentic-growth-roadmap/