CMO Spotlight | Joe De Sena - Spartan
The CMO Spotlight is a chance to get an inside look into the minds and journeys of high-performing marketing leaders.
Setup CEO, Joe Koufman, virtually sat down with Joe De Sena, the founder and CEO of Spartan, to discuss the importance of sticking to your values, getting out of your comfort zone, and more.
WATCH + READ THE RECAP BELOW (SCROLL TO THE END FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW)
Q1| Is there any advice you’d like to share?
De Sena shared that one essential piece to having a successful business is knowing how to sell.
There are several components to becoming a great seller. He advises people in business to constantly engage their network and “understand the nuances of closing a sale.” Whether you’re a marketer or business owner, you need to know what your potential customers' challenges are and learn how to build relationships.
Q2 | What is your superpower?
“My superpower is getting people to do what they don't want to do.”
He continued, “I am amazing at getting people way outside their comfort zone and taking on challenges they would have never otherwise done.”
Q3 | What Values are important to you?
De Sena put it simply, “Don't trade on your principles. Don't compromise, ever. Work relentlessly, and just do the right thing.”
Q4 | Tell us about an impactful campaign.
Spartan’s “Why I Race” campaign really spoke to the heart of Spartan Races. De Sena is a big believer in capturing “lightning in a bottle” moments. The team captured someone’s personal journey doing “The Death Race,” and shared the participant’s raw and vulnerable moments with the world, capturing up to 10 million views. This experience taught De Sena to really appreciate documenting spontaneous moments.
Q5 | What brands do you admire?
“Any brand that’s been around for a long time intrigues me because I know how hard it is to run a business and then pass it on.”
De Sena is intrigued by brands with longevity. It is very difficult as a brand to evolve, change with the times, and stay relevant. Brands that stand out to him because they have achieved the following are Apple and Saks Fifth Avenue.
For more marketing leadership advice and a view into the mindset of marketing executives in various industries, be sure to watch the full interview with Joe De Sena, and keep an eye out for more thought leadership from our CMO Spotlights.
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