IIM Kozhikode & Emeritus Launch first-ever Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Programme

The 10-month programme is aimed at helping seasoned marketing leaders transform into modern growth-oriented marketing leaders

It is aimed towards enabling high-potential aspiring CMOs, new and evolving CMOs and business owners create greater business impact

As businesses evolve and transform, the role of a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) has also undergone a significant change over the years. Today’s CMOs are responsible for not just brand marketing but are expected to take on ownership of business growth as well. To prepare CMOs for this paradigm shift, the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), a leading business school ranked 3rd in the Ministry of Education’s NIRF 2023 rankings, along with Emeritus, a global pioneer in offering accessible and affordable high-quality education to individuals and organisations, have announced the roll out of the first-ever Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Programme. 

This 10-month live online programme is delivered by IIMK’s eminent faculty and industry experts, offering real-world case studies, a 3-day immersion at the IIMK campus for networking opportunities, hands-on business simulations and a capstone project guided by the IIMK faculty. The programme will also prepare participants to create their own CMO Playbook, to help them envision, collaborate, and innovate. Graduates (10+2+3) or diploma holders (only 10+2+3) from a recognised university, with a minimum work experience of 10 years can apply for this programme. High-potential aspiring CMOs, new and evolving CMOs/sales/brand/revenue officers, as well as business leaders can benefit from the programme by learning the myriad demands of modern marketing. 

As per a study by PwC, nearly 45% of CMOs today are investing in tech in response to the current market environment – depicting a clear sign that CMOs need to broaden their comfort zone in order to lead. Another study by management consulting firm McKinsey & Company in 2023 also found that about 80 per cent of CEOs believe CMOs can be a major driver of company growth. This places a great emphasis on the CMOs’ need to upskill themselves to the market demands. The IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Programme ensures that experienced marketers can achieve career growth and imbibe growth-oriented leadership skills. 

Through this programme, CMOs will be able to: 

• Drive customer-focused enterprises through innovative marketing and growth strategies

• Enhance financial intelligence and critical thinking for superior decision-making

• Execute cross-functional initiatives for sustainable brand growth in dynamic markets

• Leverage internet technologies and data-backed insights for marketing transformation

• Drive data and AI strategy with automation and digital capabilities for effective marketing

• Lead strategic brand & distribution initiatives to achieve product leadership and meet stakeholder expectations

Commenting on the launch of the programme, Mr. Mohan Kannegal, CEO, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, “We, at Emeritus, are committed to bringing high-impact programmes for professionals to upskill, gain in-depth industry knowledge, and learn various new-age techniques that can help them elevate their performances and contribute to organizational growth. The role of CMOs has rapidly expanded in the past few years to include various new responsibilities and we are confident that the design and module of this programme, and its uniqueness in including essential learnings will help CMOs be equipped with the right advanced skills required to navigate the evolving modern marketing landscape and its complexities and drive business growth. We are excited to partner with prestigious institutions such as IIM Kozhikode to drive this growth among CMOs and thereby their organisations.”

Prof. Omkumar Krishnan, Professor, Marketing Management, IIM Kozhikode, who is also one of the programme directors, said, “The modern CMO has to wear many hats. The innovation hat. The technology hat. The people hat. The collaboration hat. And the IIMK CMO programme offers a holistic perspective that helps you synchronise all that and more, so you can mature into a relevant, exceptional leader in today’s data-driven, shifting world.” 

This programme is set to begin on March 24, 2024, with a fee of INR 4,25,000 plus applicable taxes (enrolment benefit price valid till February 22, 2024). On successfully completing all evaluation components of the programme and maintaining a minimum attendance of 75%, participants will be awarded a completion certificate from IIM Kozhikode.

For more information, visit the programme page here.