Have you ever found yourself wishing you had access to someone who's been there, someone to offer insights and support that could help steer your professional journey? If so, you're not alone. 

Mentorship makes all the difference

Throughout my career, having the right mentors has always been a huge priority to me, and I'm fortunate to now have regular conversations with someone whose expertise and perspective has profoundly shaped the way I think about marketing leadership.

Meet Madhukar Kumar: CMO of SingleStore

Meet Madhukar Kumar, the CMO of SingleStore.

Getting to know him has not only sharpened my knowledge of what’s happening in cutting-edge AI-driven marketing technologies, but it’s also validated something I had been quietly wrestling with for a long while. 

That validation: Leveraging deep data and technical expertise is a touchstone to excelling as a marketing leader, especially for data-intensive companies like the ones you lead.

More on that soon. But first, let me tell you why his mentorship has been a game-changer for me.

Madhukar’s journey: Marketing leadership rooted in deep data expertise

When I first got to know Madhukar, I had already been following his work for some time. His track record at SingleStore—and prior to that at companies like Nutanix and Redis—showed me a blueprint of the kind of CMO I wanted to become. He’s one of those rare leaders who straddles the world of marketing and technical expertise, using both to drive exceptional growth.

Through our conversations, he’s taught me that marketing leaders don’t have to choose between being seen as either a data expert or a marketing executive. In fact, Madhukar has proven that data and technical prowess elevate your credibility as a marketing leader — especially when leading data- and AI-intensive companies like those I serve.

And it's not just me who thinks so. Madhukar was recently recognized as one of the “Leading CMOs to Watch in 2024” by USA Today. His ability to leverage data, AI, and marketing strategy has been the driving force behind SingleStore’s success, and I’ve seen firsthand how he turns insights into explosive results.

Madhukar Kumar’s career is a blend of deep technical expertise and strategic marketing leadership, which really makes him stand out given the data- and AI-intensive nature of business today. 

He’s currently the CMO at SingleStore, where he has been instrumental in scaling the company’s growth through innovative marketing and product-led growth strategies. His ability to unify data insights with creative marketing vision sets him apart as a true leader in AI-driven marketing.

A lesson that changed the way I lead

One of the most significant lessons Madhukar imparted to me was the importance of embracing both sides of my expertise—data and marketing leadership. 

In a world that often tries to pigeonhole professionals into one or the other, Madhukar showed me that leveraging my data background can deeply support my credibility as a marketing leader. 

As a result, I’ve had much more confidence in showcasing both my technical and strategic skills, and as such, I’ve been able to position myself more powerfully in the Fractional CMO market. 

For any of you facing similar hesitations as I did, don’t shy away from your technical strengths — lean into them to differentiate your brand and drive real results.

What you can learn and apply today

I know that not everyone has access to a mentor like Madhukar, but that doesn’t mean you can’t apply some of the same lessons. Here are a few strategies I’ve learned from him that you can start using today:

1. Leverage Your Data Expertise: Never hide your technical skills—use them to inform your strategies and establish a strong competitive edge.

2. Blend Strategy and Execution: A good leader marries high-level vision with a deep knowledge of tactical execution requirements.

3. Stay Open to Learning: Embrace challenges that stretch your abilities, even when they push you outside your comfort zone (and they will!)

These principles have helped me grow on my own path as I build a fractional CMO practice from my former experience as a full-time SaaS CMO in the past. I believe they can help you too, no matter the journey you’re on.

Don’t miss Madhukar’s upcoming events!

Now, if you’re eager to learn more from Madhukar, he’s hosting two upcoming events where you can learn from his insights firsthand. 

The first event is at Big Data London, where he’ll dive deep into “How to Build Enterprise AI Applications with Multi-Agent RAG Systems (MARS)”. 

This session is deeply technical in nature, thus making it perfect for anyone who’s looking to scale AI-driven systems in their business and explore how data and AI work together to drive growth.

• Location: London, Y Axis Keynote Theatre

• Date: Thursday, 19th Sep

• Time: 14:00 - 14:30
  Details & Registration: Big Data LDN Event.

In addition to Big Data London, Madhukar will also be sharing his expertise at the AI x Marketing event, where he'll explore how AI-driven technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI agents are revolutionizing marketing strategies in real-time. 

This is an incredible opportunity for data-driven leaders who are looking to harness the power of AI-driven marketing technology for growth and deeper customer engagement.

• Location: San Francisco, Marines' Memorial Club & Hotel

• Date: Sept 24 - 25, 2024

• Details & Registration: AI x Marketing Event

Don’t miss this chance to learn how AI-driven marketing can transform your growth trajectory today!

Mentorship has transformed my journey—now it’s your turn.

Mentorship from Madhukar has been a transformative experience for me, both in how I approach my own career as a CMO, and in my confidence to leverage my data expertise while doing so. These upcoming events offer a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has mastered the balance of data and marketing leadership. 

I encourage you to attend and absorb the valuable lessons that are certain to help you accelerate growth in your own business. 

If you have any questions or want to chat about how to apply the strategies you learn, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you!

All the best,

Lillian Pierson, PE

Fractional CMO & Founder, Data-Mania

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