“You Have To Be A Lemon Coke, Not A Regular Coke”: Lilly Global CMO
Rob Brown, Global CMO of pharmaceutical company Lilly, has seen a change in his role over the last nine years of building and leading the business’s marketing capabilities.
Speaking to B&T this morning at Dreamforce in San Francisco, Brown said that in his function as CMO, he used to spend the vast majority of his time with the science and the development of drugs. Now he spends at least a quarter of his time and meetings with the IT team.
He’s found that the type of IT people they are hiring need to be different, but that the type of marketing people have to be different too.
“You have to be a marketer with a twist. You have to be a lemon coke, not regular coke,” he said.
A new approach to technology
Technology firms can appear to bombard CMOs with the latest product, all with the promise of solving all their problems. Lilly have taken a new approach to technology on-boarding since the summer of this year.
Brown shared that they kept finding they were behind the curve when it came to technology for the business.
Fortunately, their consumer audience is a bit older so they don’t tend to be the early adopters of technology anyway. This gives them enough leeway to catch up.
This year Lilly set up three technology centres across three continents (The US, Europe and Asia) and they bring in people outside of the business with technology capability like Torchlight and Salesforce to test and trial new technologies before considering whether they could be relevant to the entire business.
The Lilly CMO describes it as a “cog in the wheel” which helps them learn before making a large investment in new technology whether it will work for their audience in a heavily regulated pharmaceutical industry.
It also helps them make quicker and better decisions; a decision like which channels they should live in and which are more research-based. For example, social advertising is too hard with all of the regulations in the pharmaceutical industry but it’s a great learning channel for Lilly.
Brown warned that “we have to be careful about not letting technology drive play. You can’t be the dog in the movie Up and get distracted following the balloons.”
In his experience, the technologists often get excited about shiny new toys. As the CMO, the only thing Brown cares about is finding a solution to a problem he has. Business led outcomes are key rather than the latest technology.
By focusing in this way, you “get rid of all the clutter”. This keeps Lilly out of a lot of things but that’s ok. Not every solution works in every industry.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau dreamforce lilly rob brown Rob CreekmoreLatest News
AnalogFolk Hires Senior Creative Content Specialist Naomi Martin
Global independent creative agency AnalogFolk has added more creative content firepower to its Sydney team with the appointment of award-winning Naomi Martin as senior copywriter and social lead. Martin’s focus will be further building the agency’s creative and strategic capabilities across editorial, branded content, influencers, creation and production. Formerly head of content at IPG Mediabrand’s […]
Sportsbet Parodies Nine’s COVID-19 Campaign In Festival Of Footy Ad
It's not one but FOUR funny ads in a row! Yet more proof agency ECDs have taken to tickling each other with feathers.
Accenture Interactive Acquires CreativeDrive’s Global Content Studios
Unlike opening the Ark of the Covenant, you do not want to turn your back on those wily folk at Accenture, do you?
Google Study: Aussies Watching Twice As Many Ads As They Think
Study finds you're watching twice as many ads as you think. But are you getting up twice as much to put the kettle on?
“Stop 2020 Becoming 1984”: Fortnite Calls Apple Big Brother In Protest Campaign
Fortnite references the famed George Orwell novel in anti-Apple ad, resulting in no one under 30 getting the reference.
Will VOZ Be The Saviour The Australian TV Industry Needs?
Only John Farnham's retirement & "clean" coal have taken longer to actually materialise than the VOZ television metric.
Snapchat Launches First Full Body Tracking Lenses
Snapchat launches first full body tracking lens which, as you'll discover here, isn't as creepy as it initially sounds.
“Looking To Move Straight In? This One Isn’t For You”: Wrecked House Real Estate Ad Goes Viral For Its Brutal Honesty
In arguably a world first, B&T is today presenting a headline that contains the words "real estate agent" and "honesty".
Apple Set To Bundle Subscription Services
Apple unveils latest initiative that is rumoured to have come to Tim Cook while he was scooping the leaves in his pool.
SkyBus Welcomes Back NZ Travellers With New Campaign Via Hardhat
SkyBus’ latest ‘The Easy Way to Getaway’ campaign via newly awarded creative agency Hardhat aims to give a warm welcome to returning New Zealand travellers, letting them know the airport transfer service is ready and waiting. The win has seen Hardhat lead the charge on SkyBus’ strategy and creative across New Zealand, ensuring confidence in […]
IPG Releases New Guidelines For Brand Safety & Media Responsibility In Advertising
IPG unveils handy checklist for ad & brand responsibilty. So, best read with a clipboard, red marker & a high viz vest.
Rhys Darby’s Bonkers Internet Ad Is Exactly What The World Needs Right Now
If only all ads could be this damn good, B&T asks. Although we're stopping short of actually pointing fingers at anyone.
Thursday TV Wrap: Bachelor The Pick Of The Lot On A Very Quiet Night
It was so quiet on TV last night you could've run a Marcel Marceau documentary and still had the neighbours complain.
Vogue Italia Dedicates Latest Issue To Children With Adorable Hand-Drawn Covers Designed By Kids
Here's one of those cute stories B&T likes to run. That said, our editorial policy is steadfast in preferencing evil.
Why Tourism Australia’s Path To Recovery Is Data-Led
As a random observation, if holidaying in Australia wasn't so bloody expensive it might help drive tourist numbers.
US Podcast Revenue To Surpass $1.4B, Capturing 20% Of Digital Radio Ad Spend
Possibly the only thing hotter in media right now aside from podcasts has to be burning the books to avoid an ATO audit.
Longtail UX Secures $2.25M In Funding From Woolworths Group’s Venture Capital Arm W23
Longtail UX, an Australian founded tech company with 70+ clients across the Americas, EMEA and JAPAC, has today announced a $2.25m supplementary equity raise in partnership with Woolworths Group’s venture capital arm, W23 and Steven Lew-owned group, Global Retail Brands (GRB). The investment builds on the $3m funding round led by Investec through its Investec […]
Ray Hadley And 2GB Reach Out-Of-Court Settlement Over Alleged Bullying Of Former Staffer
The evidence appears to be mounting that radio shock jocks aren't merely arseholes on the air, but off it too.
Last Call, Adland! Late Entries For B&T Awards 2020 Closing Next Friday!
Rest assured, this is THE very LAST call for B&T Award entries. Except for next Monday's, Wednesday's & Friday's call.
Dentsu Aegis Network Posts Q2 Profit Slump Of 39.2%, As Its Aussie Ops Weigh Heavily On Results
It's bad news out of Dentsu today, but you only need read James Clavell's Shōgun to know the tenacity of the Japanese.
Coopers Release New & Limited Edition Hazy IPA Via TABOO
Often go out drinking only to wake-up with little recollection of the evening previous? Introducing Cooper's Hazy IPA.
Ben & Jerry Goes Political In ‘Unfudge Our Future’ Campaign
Ben & Jerry's ice-cream has gone political. Still can't manage to explain why a tiny tub costs 20 bucks, however.
Celeste Barber Encourages Aussies To ‘Get Your Jugs Out’ In Hilarious BRITA Campaign
Benny Hill may have long since passed, but his legacy lives on in new Celeste Barber's 'Get Your Jugs Out' campaign,
Enero Posts Net Revenue Increase Of 4.9%
Forget 2020's plagues, pestilence and famine says Enero, as balance sheet comes out with sweet smell of potpourri.
Apple Accused Of Taking Traffic Away From Publishers
Apple accused of taking traffic away from publishers. Zuckerberg just thankful the heat's off him for a change.
Woolies Doubles Down On Print Catalogues After Coles Pulls The Plug
In top news for papier-mâché, home-made pirate hats & kitty litter trays, Woolies says printed catalogue to continue.
Online Retailer THE ICONIC Marks Play Into Sportswear In New Spot Via Thinkerbell
Has lockdown left your midrift wobbling like the jelly/custard trolley at yum cha? Instantly deflate with this news.
Tradie Scrubs Up Alright With Inspired Unemployed TVCs For New Body Wash Range Via The Incubator
Tradie continues association with comedy duo 'Inspired Unemployed' which, you'd assume, negates their unemployed status.
“Eau De Piss!” Victoria Bitter Unveils New Men’s Fragrance & Apparently It’s Not A Joke Either
You may not want to drink it, but you can smell of it, as VB launches fragrance with a hint of urinal deodoriser blocks.
Wednesday TV Wrap: Locklan Gilbert Makes Bold Bachelor Debut
10's The Bachelor is back and so is the B&T office's Bachie sweepstakes. The winner set to claim the entire $5.80 booty.
