CMO Playbook: Driving Growth with Partnerships & Brand Building | Katelyn Watson (Talkspace, Nurx)

Great brands are built on one big idea. And every campaign and customer touchpoint should connect back to that big idea.

In this episode of Growth Talks, Katelyn Watson, CMO of Talkspace, joins Right Side Up Founder and host Tyler Elliston to share her marketing philosophy for building brands that last.

Drawing on more than 20 years leading growth at companies like Nurx and Shutterfly, Katelyn reveals how grounding your brand in customer insights, aligning teams around shared goals, and thinking like a performance marketer can unlock stronger partnerships, faster scaling, and sustained growth.

She also shares lessons from high-impact rebrands and authentic influencer campaigns that have helped her build trust, relevance, and long-term brand equity.

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• Nail the first 90 days. Great CMOs lead with clarity. They set priorities early, define the mission, and earn trust fast.
• Listen first, then message. The best marketers build strategy around what customers actually need.
• Brand awareness still matters. Top of funnel builds recognition, earns credibility, and fuels long-term growth.
• The affiliate advantage. Smart CMOs double down on what works, and affiliate programs consistently deliver.
• Strategic partnerships drive real impact. Growth isn't always paid. Brand partners expand reach and create lasting value.
• Authenticity wins in influencer marketing. Real stories resonate, foster community, and drive meaningful conversion.

⏰  Timestamps

01:54 Leading Brand Transformation 

08:15 How to Leverage Marketing Agencies 

11:30  AI’s Role in Brand and Marketing Strategy 

22:55 Strategic Partnerships for Scalable Growth 

29:38 Guiding Early-Stage Companies 

36:23 Influencer Marketing That Drives Results

38:40 Building Successful Long-Term Partnerships  

41:32  Measuring What Matters in Marketing 

46:25 Rethinking Organic Social Strategy

 

 

 

🔗  Mentioned in this episode:

• Talkspace: https://www.talkspace.com/
• Nurx: https://www.nurx.com/
• American Express: https://www.americanexpress.com/
• Shutterfly: https://www.shutterfly.com/

👍Did you enjoy this video? Don’t forget to click the like button! And find more episodes of Growth Talks here: https://bit.ly/3xXGJJc

 

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