We discuss today with Steven Page. Steven is a Chief Marketing, Digital & IT Officer expert professional
Steven, you have a long history in digital marketing and consulting, but in recent years, you have moved into new territory. Please tell us about your recent activities.
I am working in the financial field, bringing marketing together with digital and IT. Being a CMO, CDO, and CIO, I can have the tools and teams to have the upper hand in marketing. I have spoken about this at several conferences, and most of my peers agree. Having all these departments and teams working closely together makes sense. I am aligning business and technology strategies. The CMO focuses on marketing and customer experience, while the CIO oversees technology infrastructure and operations. By working together, you can align the business objectives with the available technology, ensuring that the right tools and systems support the company’s marketing strategies.
I can make data-driven decision-making. Marketing campaigns generate vast amounts of data, and the CIO can provide the necessary infrastructure, analytics capabilities, and data governance to enable the CMO to make informed decisions. The CIO can help identify suitable data sources, implement data management solutions, and ensure data security and compliance.
The CIO’s expertise lies in understanding the technological landscape and identifying innovative solutions to enhance marketing efforts. This can guide the CMO in selecting and implementing marketing technologies, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, marketing automation tools, data analytics platforms, and digital marketing platforms.
The CMO strives to understand customer behavior, preferences, and trends. The CIO can contribute by providing the necessary technology infrastructure and tools to collect, analyze, and derive actionable insights from customer data. This collaboration enables the CMO to create personalized marketing campaigns and improve customer experience.
The CMO and CIO need to work hand in hand to drive digital transformation initiatives within the organization. They can jointly assess the impact of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and marketing automation, on marketing strategies and operations. By collaborating, they can identify opportunities to leverage these technologies effectively.
Marketing initiatives increasingly rely on digital channels and technologies, introducing new risks and cybersecurity challenges. The CMO and CIO must collaborate to ensure the security and privacy of customer data, protect the company’s reputation, and mitigate risks associated with marketing campaigns and technology implementations.
The collaboration between the CMO, CDO, and CIO is essential to bridge the gap between marketing and technology, align business goals with technology capabilities, and drive innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness in marketing strategies and operations. So why not combine both, hire the right people, and have all three departments under one leader? This is the future of marketing, no matter what business you are in.
What drew you to the FinTech industry?
I have a background in marketing but also possess a tech-savvy mindset. Over time, I became an early adopter of FinTech, which presented me with unique challenges and puzzles to solve. As I delved deeper into this field, I found that my financial expertise and technical skills complemented each other well. Despite being heavily regulated, there was still room for innovation and advancement. In fact, our groundbreaking work in banking technologies even compelled regulators to adapt and facilitate progress. Overall, I find my job exciting and fulfilling every day.
Is the FinTech realm an underserved area when it comes to tech and marketing?
The FinTech industry has grown rapidly over the past decade and is no longer considered an underserved area in terms of tech and marketing. Many companies and startups are focused on developing innovative solutions for the financial industry, leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and data analytics to provide efficient, user-friendly, and cost-effective products and services. FinTech has also attracted substantial investments from venture capitalists, private equity firms, and established financial institutions, allowing companies to invest in technology development, product innovation, and marketing efforts. To succeed in this highly competitive industry, companies must stay ahead in terms of technology, product differentiation, and effective marketing strategies. Digital marketing channels, social media platforms, influencer marketing, and content marketing are now crucial in promoting FinTech products and services.
Is the FinTech industry exploding currently with new interest?
Our growth has been significant and has generated considerable interest, with increased adoption of digital banking and payment solutions by consumers. This trend has been driven by the convenience and accessibility they offer. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the digital transformation of financial services, with social distancing measures and lockdowns making remote access to banking and payment services a necessity. This has highlighted the importance of FinTech solutions and led to a greater demand for innovative and contactless financial technologies. As technology continues to advance and consumer preferences change, the FinTech industry will continue to evolve and expand.
Steven, you have a long history in marketing. How have you adapted and evolved over the years to remain relevant?
To keep up with the constantly changing marketing landscape driven by technology, consumer behavior, and market dynamics, staying updated with industry trends is essential. Attending conferences, engaging in continuous learning, and following industry blogs helps me adapt my strategies accordingly.
Digital transformation is crucial for effective marketing in the digital age. Using digital tools and platforms to reach your target audience and adopting data-driven decision-making using analytics and customer data will optimize marketing strategies for better results.
Personalizing marketing efforts is my favorite strategy. Tailoring marketing messages and offers to individual customer segments using customer data, segmentation, and automation tools enhances customer engagement and drives better results.
Incorporating experiential marketing strategies that involve customers actively, such as events, contests, immersive content, and gamification, fosters a deeper connection between your brand and customers.
Collaborating with relevant influencers in your industry to reach and engage with their followers and adapting to emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and voice assistants can enhance marketing efforts and create innovative experiences for the target audience.
Incorporating sustainability and social responsibility values into marketing strategies and communicating the brand’s commitment to these causes is essential as consumers are increasingly conscious.
Encouraging creativity and innovation within teams and staying open to new ideas and experimentation by encouraging collaboration and cross-functional learning will generate fresh perspectives and strategies, fostering a culture of innovation.
How can good marketing help the FinTech experience?
Effective marketing is crucial in the FinTech industry for boosting brand visibility, educating customers, building trust, enhancing user experience, standing out from competitors, driving adoption, and increasing customer engagement. Employing successful marketing strategies enables FinTech companies to effectively communicate the benefits of their solutions and provide an enjoyable experience for their customers.
How has your career changed over the years? What has been your favorite moment?
The marketing world has seen a change when it comes to technology. You are still trying to get a message to sell or promote something. But now, with social media, segmentation, and lots of data, you can deliver that message to the right group at the right time. The marketing industry is becoming more and more laser-focused on the individual rather than the group. It’s a fun time to be in this industry, with AI now helping marketers deliver that message to potential customers. I have seen so much advancement in not only the influencer space. This isn’t new. It was usually a celebrity that would help promote a product, let’s say. Now you have unknown individuals that might not be the brand promoting different brands. It’s more interactive. With the increasing concerns around data privacy, marketers must navigate regulations like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These regulations have influenced how marketers collect, store, and process customer data.
The most significant changes have been AI and ML technologies that have empowered marketers to automate tasks, analyze data at scale, and generate insights. They enable personalized recommendations, chatbots for customer support, predictive analytics, and improved targeting capabilities. They are making us better at what we do.
My favorite moment has been having the opportunity to run these three departments and help change the landscape of marketing. Even though we have won numerous awards, when we won our first two Telly awards, I knew what we were doing was making a difference. That was a very special moment in my career for me personally.
Steven Page. PR for the Stars. Steven with Mrs. Joan Rivers
What inspires you currently?
CMOs play a significant role in any organization’s C-suite team. They are considered the most influential members. In our small community, we share and learn from each other through social media. I personally follow the most disruptive and influential CMOs of today’s world. So what makes them worth following? Well, they possess leadership qualities, have a deep understanding of consumers, and keep themselves updated with the ever-changing digital world. Although I won’t mention any names, these CMOs come from various fields, just like myself. This diverse background makes them a better and well-rounded CMO. Overall, these inspiring individuals motivate me to give my best every day.
Steven, you have worked in volunteer roles previously. Tell us about your recent volunteer work.
As a Governor at Large with California and Nevada Credit Union Networks, I have been an active member of the Board of Directors for nearly two years. My volunteer work with the Network perfectly complements my current position. Through successful fundraising campaigns and mentorship initiatives, I have collaborated with other professionals in my field to help individuals in need. I am able to contribute a technical perspective to the group, which ultimately enhances the overall Network. Joining the Network that covers both California and Nevada was a natural step for me, as it has expanded my network of contacts and allowed me to share my experiences and insights with others who are passionate about making a difference.
Anything else you’d like to add?
My LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pagecoservices/
