CMO to C-Suite: Infosys’ Sumit Virmani on AI & Strategic Marketing

The role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is undergoing a significant evolution, with a growing expectation that CMOs should be key players in the C-suite, directly influencing overall business strategy. This shift, as highlighted by Sumit Virmani, CMO of Infosys, centres on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and aligning marketing efforts with broader organizational priorities.

The Evolving CMO Role

Traditionally focused on campaigns and budgets, CMOs are now being challenged to position themselves as catalysts for growth. According to insights shared during a Marketing Vanguard episode, live from the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, this requires active participation in cross-functional business discussions, contributing customer insights and market intelligence to CEO-level strategic planning.

Did You Know? Infosys, where Sumit Virmani serves as CMO, is a global IT services leader with nearly $20 billion in revenues and 350,000 employees across 60 countries.

AI: A Turning Point for Marketing

AI is identified as a critical enabler of this transformation. It provides CMOs with access to enterprise analytics and data partnerships that were previously unavailable. This access allows marketers to move beyond operational roles and become strategic partners, contributing to areas like product development and customer experience reimagining.

The strategic opportunity lies in using AI-driven insights to inform enterprise-wide decisions, rather than simply automating marketing workflows. This requires a deliberate shift in identity, from creative leader to business transformation partner.

Expert Insight: The source suggests a fundamental tension for CMOs: they are often initially hired for creative expertise, but achieving strategic influence demands complementary skills in data analytics and business operations.

Maximizing High-Level Forums

Attending high-level forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos can be a significant investment. Virmani suggests maximizing the return on this investment by pursuing three concurrent objectives: brand visibility, customer relationship building, and peer learning. This involves conducting numerous meetings to gather competitive intelligence and market insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the key to a CMO earning a “seat at the strategy table”?

CMOs earn their place at the strategy table by shaping business direction, not merely executing campaigns, and by contributing customer insights and market intelligence to CEO-level discussions.

How can AI help CMOs expand their influence?

AI provides access to enterprise analytics and data partnerships, enabling marketers to position themselves as transformation partners and strategy orchestrators, contributing to areas beyond traditional marketing functions.

What is the difference between marketing success focused on advertising versus transformation?

If marketing success is defined by great advertising, expanding scope is optional; however, if it focuses on driving transformation and growth, scope expansion becomes mandatory for competitive survival.

As CMOs navigate this evolving landscape, will the emphasis on data analytics and strategic alignment fundamentally change the skills and backgrounds sought in future marketing leaders?