Episode 157 - Laura Ottley of Addleshaw Goddard on What it Means to be Client-shaped and the Role of CMO

While many firms strive to put clients first, today we’re exploring what it truly means to be 'client-shaped' and how the role of the CMO is evolving to instil that mindset across organisations.

No one is better equipped to delve into this topic, in today’s episode, Will Eke is excited to welcome Laura Ottley, Chief Marketing Officer at Addleshaw Goddard, to the CMO Series Podcast.

Laura has played a pivotal role in redefining Addleshaw Goddard’s approach to client engagement. She joins the series to share her leadership journey, the innovative campaigns that have set the firm apart, and discuss how embracing a client-shaped philosophy has transformed both their external impact and internal team culture.

During their conversation, Laura and Will cover:

• Laura’s career path and the steps that led her to the CMO role at Addleshaw Goddard
• Her main priorities upon joining AG in 2020, including the goals and challenges she set out to address from day one
• The moment she recognised the importance of being 'client-shaped' and how she embedded this perspective throughout the firm
• The standout creative campaigns Laura has led and how she ensured they genuinely resonated with clients
• The ripple effects of client-focused initiatives, both in terms of market impact and the influence on internal stakeholders and team dynamics
• Practical advice for fellow CMOs looking to adopt a more client-shaped approach within their own organisations