The Fortune 500 just executed a quiet purge.

CMO positions declined from 71% to 66% in a single year. That's not gradual downsizing. That's systematic elimination.

Etsy killed their standalone marketing role after their CMO departed. Walgreens, UPS, and Wells Fargo followed suit. Starbucks retired their CMO title entirely when Brady Brewer moved to international leadership.

The pattern reveals something deeper than cost-cutting.

In today’s competitive business landscape, startups must do more than just build a great product—they must market it effectively. Marketing is the bridge that connects your product to the right audience. Without a thoughtful and strategic approach, even the most innovative solutions risk going unnoticed..