How CMO as a Service Helps Small Companies Grow: 6 Success Stories
- Maydan Sharvit
- Sep 1, 2024
- 4 min read

In the current business world, the term "CMO as a Service" (Chief Marketing Officer as a Service) has become synonymous with a flexible, efficient, and focused solution for companies seeking to accelerate their growth without straining their budget. This approach, which provides high-level marketing expertise without the need for a full-time CMO, allows small and less established companies to tackle market challenges effectively. Therefore, I decided to explain the concept behind "CMO as a Service" and present three success stories of small companies that used this model to grow and develop.
What is CMO as a Service?
CMO as a Service is a unique service that allows companies to hire a senior marketing executive on a flexible basis, typically by the hour, project, or monthly contract. The service is tailored to the company's needs, focusing on marketing strategy, market analysis, branding, campaign management, and more. The main advantage of this approach is that it provides small companies with access to top-level marketing expertise without the commitment of hiring a full-time CMO.
Why Do Small Companies Choose CMO as a Service?
Small companies often face challenges of limited resources, both in terms of budget and manpower. In such cases, hiring a full-time marketing executive can be costly and may not align with the company's current needs. On the other hand, traditional marketing services, such as digital agencies or advertising firms, often focus on specific aspects, like campaign management or content creation, and may not provide the comprehensive strategic view the company needs. CMO as a Service offers a broader strategic approach, including rigorous oversight and precise execution of marketing activities, brand management, branding initiatives, and in-depth market analysis – all aimed at ensuring that the company’s marketing efforts are strategically aligned with the organization’s overarching goals.
Success Stories of Small Companies
The term "CMO as a Service" is relatively new, and therefore, it may not have been used in the past to describe marketing consultants. For this reason, it is challenging to find documented success stories of small companies that have grown specifically due to this service. However, there are examples of companies that have achieved significant success through external marketing consulting services, demonstrating the potential of this approach.
Dollar Shave Club:
What did they do? The company started as a small startup offering a monthly subscription for high-quality, affordable razors. They aimed to differentiate themselves in a saturated market.
How did they grow? By leveraging external marketing consultants, the company developed a viral marketing campaign that made them an overnight sensation. Their famous video humorously and memorably showcased the product's benefits, leading to a massive increase in sales and the company's acquisition by Unilever for $1 billion.
Glossier:
What did they do? The beauty brand Glossier started as a small skincare blog and evolved into an international brand by creating a loyal community of users.
How did they grow? The company utilized external marketing services to develop its brand strategy, working closely with its community. This approach helped Glossier become a well-known brand and a leader in digital marketing.
Casper:
What did they do?
Casper, the mattress company, started as a small startup to make the mattress-buying experience simpler and more modern.
How did they grow?
With the help of external marketing experts, the company developed targeted campaigns that highlighted the product's benefits and transformed the traditional purchasing process. The combination of an innovative marketing strategy and direct communication with consumers helped Casper grow and become a significant player in the mattress market.
Success Stories of Israeli Companies Using a Similar Approach to "CMO as a Service"
There are indeed success stories of Israeli companies that have leveraged a similar approach to "CMO as a Service" by utilizing external marketing managers or consultants to drive growth. Here are a few examples:
What did they do? Monday.com started as a small startup focused on developing a platform for project management and team collaboration.
How did they grow? The company used external marketing consultants to refine its branding and messaging and to expand its digital presence internationally. Thanks to this strategy, the company became a prominent name in the project management market and went public with a valuation of billions of dollars.
Lightricks:
What did they do? Lightricks, the developer of mobile design and editing apps like Facetune and Enlight, started as a small startup with a limited group of developers.
How did they grow? The company leveraged external digital marketing experts and consultants to develop a market penetration strategy that included rebranding, targeting relevant audiences, and expanding its marketing channels. This helped Lightricks reach millions of users worldwide and become one of the leading companies in the design and editing app sector.
SimilarWeb:
What did they do? SimilarWeb is a company that provides tools for website traffic and competitor analysis, and it began as a small startup.
How did they grow? The company utilized external marketing managers and consultants to refine its branding, establish a global presence, and expand its marketing activities across various digital channels. This expertise enabled the company to grow and become a leader in its field, with many international clients.
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There is no doubt that "CMO as a Service" can be an excellent solution for small companies looking to grow and improve their marketing efforts without straining their budget. Through the success stories of companies like Dollar Shave Club, Glossier, and Casper, it is evident how this service can help accelerate growth and achieve long-term goals. For many companies, this approach offers the perfect combination of expertise and flexibility, tailored precisely to the current needs of the business.
In Israel, too, there are examples of companies that have grown and succeeded thanks to a smart strategic approach based on external marketing consulting services. Monday.com, Lightricks, and SimilarWeb are just some of the companies that have thrived thanks to the proper use of external marketing expertise, allowing them to focus on growth and development while maintaining flexibility and relatively low costs.
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