CX Decoded By CMSWire

In this episode of CX Decoded, Editor-in-Chief Dom Nicastro sits down with CMSWire’s VP of Research, Sarah Kimmel, to unpack top findings from two pivotal reports: the 2025 State of the CMO and the 2025 State of Digital Customer Experience. Together, they explore the evolving skill sets required of modern CMOs, the cautious return of marketing budget growth and the ongoing struggle to accurately measure ROI. They also highlight how generative AI is seeing explosive, yet still largely unguided, adoption; how DX tools are finally showing results after years of frustration; and how personalization efforts are accelerating thanks to improved tech and behavioral insight. 

Too many marketers are chasing likes over results. Jim Lecinski, clinical professor of Marketing at Northwestern University and former Google executive, says it’s time to reframe the CMO role—from brand builder to growth driver. In this episode, he breaks down how to stay customer-obsessed, navigate AI-driven search and get ready for Gen Alpha before they catch you off guard.

In this episode of “CX Decoded,” Michelle Hawley, senior editor at CMSWire, takes a look inside the nuances of brand evolution in today’s digital word, featuring Amber Holm, CMO at Winnebago Industries and Ranu Coleman, head of marketing at PatPat. In this episode, both leaders delve into the importance of customer insights in keeping brands relevant — and the challenges that come with repositioning in the consumer space. They also share strategies for maintaining brand integrity, including keeping existing customers happy while reeling in new audiences. Through in-depth interviews originally aired separately on the CMSWire TV show “The CMO Circle,” Holm and Coleman offer a deeper understanding of how established brands can stay ahead through change and innovation. 

In this episode of CX Decoded, host Dom Nicastro, editor-in-chief of CMSWire, dives into the future of AI in customer service with insights from three leading experts in the field. This episode brings together discussions from two separate CMSWire TV "Beyond the Call" interviews, featuring Barry Cooper, president of NICE’s CX Division; Tom Laird, CEO of Expivia; and Keith Farley, SVP of Individual Voluntary Benefits at Aflac.