Podcast Summary: Marketing Vanguard – "CMO Relevance Secrets with Sumit Virmani"

Host: Jenny Rooney (Adweek)
Guest: Sumit Virmani, CMO, Infosys
Location: FQ Lounge, World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland
Date: February 13, 2026

Overview

This episode of Marketing Vanguard spotlights insights from Sumit Virmani, CMO of Infosys, recorded live at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Together with host Jenny Rooney, Virmani explores the evolving role of the CMO amidst macroeconomic shifts and the rise of AI, the importance of C-suite engagement, and the unique value of events like Davos for marketing leaders. Listeners gain specific, candid advice on CMO relevance, strategy, and growth at a time when marketing is at an inflection point.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolving Role of the CMO in the C-Suite

• Marketing as a Growth Catalyst

  • Virmani stresses that marketing should be central to organizational strategy, not siloed.

    “Marketing is the growth catalyst of the organization. Marketing’s rightful place and CMOs rightful place is in the C suite, shaping strategy, debating business challenges, and finding solutions to drive growth.”
    (Sumit Virmani, 00:30)

• Why CMOs Need to Be at Davos

  • Davos is described not just as an industry event, but a confluence of global business leadership. CMOs must participate to remain relevant and effective.

    “Davos is a confluence of C suite. It’s a confluence of business leaders, world leaders. And this is where debate around what’s in the year ahead takes shape. Marketeers should be very much a part of that…”
    (Sumit Virmani, 01:49)

  • Jenny Rooney unpacks the difference between marketing-centered gatherings and broader business forums like Davos, emphasizing why CMO exposure outside the marketing bubble matters.

    “Can is CMOS talking to cmos…it’s still very much a marketing centric event…Davos blows all that up. I mean, this is where you actually, to your point, find yourself talking to people who are not like you…”
    (Jenny Rooney, 02:44)

2. The Strategic Value of Cross-Functional Exposure

• Virmani describes Davos as an opportunity for CMOs to break out of their discipline and learn about trends shaping the CEO’s agenda and cross-functional business priorities.

  “This is an opportunity for truly marketers to come and participate, learn from what’s going to shape their CEO’s priorities for the next year, what are the trends that are influencing cross functional dimensions of your business…it’ll only make you smarter.”
  (Sumit Virmani, 03:44)

• Such exposure enhances a CMO’s credibility and strategic influence back at their own organizations.

3. Making the Case for CMO Attendance at Major Business Forums

• Advice to CMOs who want to attend Davos but may not yet have buy-in:
  • Use AI-driven business transformation as an entry point—demonstrate marketing’s impact beyond the traditional remit.
  • Position oneself as a “transformation partner,” not just the leader of advertising or brand.

  “AI…opens up an incredible opportunity for CMOs to widen the horizon…have CMOs position themselves as the transformation partners, orchestrators of the enterprise strategy…that should become integral…So I would say AI is unleashing a fantastic opportunity to bring creativity, data analytics, tech together for marketers to become an integral contributor to strategy and growth.”
  (Sumit Virmani, 06:18)

4. The Opportunity (and Pressure) of AI for CMOs

• AI isn’t just for optimizing existing marketing—it’s a vehicle for marketers to expand their influence, from product development to cross-functional business collaboration.

  “Don’t use AI to do what you do better…It gives you permission to play in the entire business spectrum, not necessarily in the marketing spectrum. And some of those opportunities will foster collaboration across the C suite, which you should proactively seek.”
  (Sumit Virmani, 08:28)

5. Reframing Marketing Success

• Responding to CMOs overwhelmed by the expanding remit, Virmani challenges the definition of success:

  “If you see marketing success in creating great advertising, you don’t have to really broaden your horizon. But if you see marketing success in driving transformation and driving growth, it’s not optional.”
  (Sumit Virmani, 09:39)

• He urges a return to marketing fundamentals—the full spectrum of the "4Ps" (Product, Price, Place, Promotion)—rather than a narrow focus on promotion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|----------------|-------| | 00:30 | Sumit Virmani | “Marketing is the growth catalyst of the organization…” | | 01:49 | Sumit Virmani | “Davos is a confluence of C suite…this is where debate around what’s in the year ahead takes shape.” | | 03:44 | Sumit Virmani | “It’ll only make you smarter…and your marketing strategies…will actually see a lot more acceptance and receptivity.” | | 06:18 | Sumit Virmani | “AI…opens up an incredible opportunity for CMOs to widen the horizon.” | | 08:28 | Sumit Virmani | “Don’t use AI to do what you do better…It gives you permission to play in the entire business spectrum.” | | 09:39 | Sumit Virmani | “If you see marketing success in driving transformation and driving growth, it’s not optional.” | | 09:10 | Jenny Rooney | “Yes, all of that 1000% mic drop moment, Sumit. Amazing.” |

Practical Takeaways for Marketers

• Advocate for Strategic Integration: Position marketing at the heart of company strategy; build alliances, especially with the CEO, CIO, and other executives.
• Leverage AI to Broaden Influence: Move beyond optimization—bring creative, analytical, and business transformation value.
• Break the ‘Marketing Bubble’: Seek out venues where marketing interacts with the rest of the business world.
• Redefine Success: Judge your impact in terms of growth, transformation, and business outcomes—not just campaign innovation.
• Prepare for the Demands of Davos: For those attending, practical advice includes wearing the right footwear (utilitarian yet stylish boots) and pacing oneself for early mornings and full days.

  “Your boots are the absolute critical accessory because that’s the difference between surviving and actually walking away with an injury…”
  (Sumit Virmani, 13:42)

Fun & Insider Advice from Davos

• On Surviving Davos:
  • “Avoid nightcaps. If you really want to be effective on day two and day three…Because you start at like 6:37 and you finish only at 1:00 o’clock in the night.”
    (Sumit Virmani, 14:24)
  • “My day starts at 7 and 7 means I have to be in a meeting at 7…”
    (Sumit Virmani, 14:57)

Segment Timestamps

• [00:30] – The CMO’s role in the C-suite and at Davos
• [03:44] – Why break out of the marketing “bubble”
• [06:18] – AI as a lever for marketing influence
• [08:28] – Moving beyond marketing optimization with AI
• [09:39] – Redefining marketing success
• [11:30] – What Infosys seeks at Davos, and the CMO’s dual hat
• [13:26] – Practical and humorous advice on navigating Davos

Final Thoughts

Sumit Virmani concludes with a message to aspiring CMOs and marketing leaders: embrace the opportunity to broaden marketing’s contribution, leverage AI to unlock new potential, and engage beyond typical marketing circles. The ultimate CMO is both a creative leader and a strategic transformation partner in the C-suite—roles that are increasingly inseparable in the world’s top organizations.

“Thank you Jenny. Thanks again and all the best for your very first Davos. May this be the start of many more to come.”
(Sumit Virmani, 15:33)

End of Summary