Running a growing business in Columbus is fun, exciting, and… a little scary. You’ve got big ideas but not always the time or people to help bring them to life. That’s where fractional CMOs come into play. They’re marketing pros you can hire part-time, without breaking the bank.
Think of them as your company’s marketing superhero — swooping in with strategy, insights, and maybe even a cool cape. But who are the best in Columbus? Let’s dive in.
What’s a Fractional CMO Anyway?
A Fractional CMO is a senior marketing expert you hire temporarily or part-time. They’re perfect for startups or mid-sized businesses that need guidance but can’t afford a full-time executive.
They help with:
- Marketing strategy
- Brand positioning
- Team leadership
- Campaign planning
- Growth hacking (yes, that’s a real term!)
Now let’s spotlight the best fractional CMO experts in Columbus who are making waves in the marketing world.
1. Sara Murphy – The Strategy Queen
Sara is known for building killer marketing plans that actually work. With experience across SaaS, e-commerce, and B2B, she helps businesses zero in on their target market fast. She’s data-driven, people-focused, and fun to work with.
What clients love most? Her ability to turn chaos into clarity. If your marketing feels like a mess, Sara can clean it up and make it sparkle.
2. James Weathers – The Growth Guru
James has helped Columbus brands get noticed online and grow monthly revenue faster than you can say “conversion rate.” He’s got serious chops in SEO, paid ads, and email marketing.
Need help scaling? James brings the tools and tactics to take you from startup to standout. Plus, he loves pizza, which makes meetings more fun. 🍕
3. Lisa Thompson – Brand Whisperer
If your brand is all over the place, talk to Lisa. She’s worked with dozens of Ohio companies to reimagine messaging and create bold brand identities.
From voice to visuals, she knows how to make your company stick in people’s heads. Lisa also connects deeply with mission-driven businesses and purpose-led teams.
4. Mike Chen – The B2B Ninja
Mike is your go-to if you sell to other businesses. He has a razor-sharp focus on ROI and sales alignment. A long-time consultant for Ohio tech firms, he builds marketing funnels that actually convert leads into loyal customers.
He also loves decks. (Marketing decks, not backyard ones. But maybe both?)
5. Andrea Gomez – The Social Star
Andrea brings the energy. She’s the master of all things social: Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok — you name it. She helped several Columbus startups go viral and builds engagement-first strategies that spark real connections.
She believes brands should be human. If you want fun content that still drives results, Andrea is a perfect match.
Why Hire a Fractional CMO?
Still not sure if you need one? Here’s when a fractional CMO makes sense:
- You’re growing fast but don’t have a marketing roadmap
- Your brand feels “meh” and needs a refresh
- You’re launching a new product or campaign
- Your team needs strong marketing leadership
And the best part? You get executive-level experience without executive-level costs.
Final Thoughts
Columbus is full of amazing businesses. Don’t let your company fall behind just because your marketing team needs a boost. With one of these standout fractional CMOs, you can elevate your brand, grow smarter, and have a little fun while you do it.
So go ahead, schedule that discovery call. Your future CMO might just be the partner you’ve been waiting for.
