What The Jim Stengel Company does

The Jim Stengel Company is a privately held boutique consulting firm founded in 2008 by Jim Stengel, former Global Chief Marketing Officer of Procter & Gamble. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, the firm employs a team of 9 specialists—predominantly former P&G executives in brand strategy, marketing capability, leadership coaching, and advisory roles—and serves enterprise and Fortune 500 clients across consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, financial services, automotive, food and beverage, and retail. Its service offering is structured around three core practice areas: Purpose Discovery (collaborative workshops to define an authentic brand purpose), Purpose Activation (embedding purpose inside the organization and expressing it externally), and Marketing Capability (assessment, capability roadmaps, and immersive training using proprietary frameworks such as the "Marketing Way"). The firm works under custom, professional-services pricing with no public fee schedule, and clients engage through direct outreach, referral, event encounters, or the firm's website contact form.

The company's commercial engine combines consulting with a media and event IP stack. The CMO Podcast, launched in 2019 and distributed on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, has produced 360+ episodes and surpassed 3.7 million downloads, with sponsors including Deloitte, TransUnion, and Best Buy. Two authored books, "Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World's Greatest Companies" (2011) and "Unleashing the Innovators" (2017, with Tom Post), reinforce thought leadership. Three recurring leadership programs—the Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator Programme (since 2013, with Bloomberg, Bain & Company, and LIONS; 450+ alumni from 50+ countries), the Northwestern Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit (with Egon Zehnder and McKinsey & Company), and the Deloitte Next Gen CMO Academy (since 2016)—serve simultaneously as revenue-generating programs and the firm's primary client acquisition channel among senior marketing decision-makers.

Technically, The Jim Stengel Company operates as a human-capital-driven advisory practice with no proprietary software platform, SaaS product, or technology stack of significance. Its primary "technology" is the proprietary "Marketing Way" framework and the team's codified brand-purpose methodology derived from over a decade of Fortune 500 consulting. A limited 8-episode podcast series, The Brand Builder's Playbook, is produced with Bera.AI (Ryan Barker), positioning the firm to address how top marketers build resilient brands in the AI era without itself deploying proprietary AI/ML systems. Revenue is generated entirely through professional services (custom consulting engagements), supplemented by sponsored podcast inventory, book royalties, and leadership program participation fees.

Name

The Jim Stengel Company

Legal name

The Jim Stengel Company

Website

https://jimstengel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Jim Stengel Company is a Cincinnati-based boutique consulting firm founded in 2008 by former P&G Global CMO Jim Stengel, serving enterprise and Fortune 500 clients with purpose-driven brand strategy, purpose activation, and marketing capability building through a 9-person team of former P&G executives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brand Strategy Consulting

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Brand Strategy & Positioning (BPAFAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Brand Guidelines, Governance & Brand Management (BPAFAEAF)

Keywords

• Brand strategy consulting
• Marketing capability building
• Purpose discovery workshops
• Leadership development programs
• Executive coaching services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: The firm generates revenue through consulting engagements focused on purpose discovery, purpose activation, and marketing capability building. These are custom, client-specific engagements typically involving workshops, training programs, and strategic advisory work delivered to enterprise and Fortune 500 clients.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Jim Stengel Company is a boutique brand and marketing consulting firm that helps enterprise clients discover, define, and activate an authentic brand purpose through workshops and strategic advisory. Its three core service lines are Purpose Discovery, Purpose Activation, and Marketing Capability building, supplemented by executive leadership programs, speaking engagements, and the CMO Podcast media property.

Product overview

The Jim Stengel Company is a consulting firm that helps leaders and companies grow by finding and activating their brand purpose. The core offerings include three consulting services: Purpose Discovery (defining authentic brand purpose through workshops), Purpose Activation (implementing purpose internally and externally), and Marketing Capability (building organizational skills and frameworks). The company also produces The CMO Podcast as a media property and offers three leadership development programs (Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator, Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit, and Deloitte Next Gen CMO Academy). Jim Stengel has authored two books ('Grow' and 'Unleashing the Innovators') and recently launched 'The Brand Builder's Playbook' podcast series. The company operates as a consulting/coaching practice rather than a software product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The CMO Podcast: A podcast hosted by Jim Stengel featuring interviews with CMOs and business leaders discussing purpose-driven leadership and marketing. Has over 3.7 million downloads.
• The Brand Builder's Playbook

Products and services

• Purpose Discovery Strategic consulting service helping companies define a clear and authentic purpose rooted in their values, heritage, and broader landscape through collaborative workshops. Intended for enterprise and Fortune 500 clients seeking a foundation for brand-led growth.
• Purpose Activation Service helping organizations bring brand purpose to life internally through tools, practices, and team alignment, while activating it externally in genuine and impactful ways. Designed for enterprise clients seeking to embed purpose from the inside out.
• Marketing Capability Consulting that equips marketing teams with skills, frameworks, and confidence through assessment, capability roadmaps, immersive training, and a unifying marketing approach (e.g., the proprietary "Marketing Way" framework). Targets enterprise marketing organizations seeking to close capability gaps.
• Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator Programme A two-day leadership development program for senior marketers, founded in 2013 and led by Jim Stengel in partnership with Cannes Lions (LIONS), Bloomberg, and Bain & Company. Designed for CMOs and senior marketing leaders seeking leadership growth and peer connection.
• Northwestern Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit Annual invitation-only gathering of senior marketing leaders at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, co-hosted by Jim Stengel in partnership with Egon Zehnder and McKinsey & Company. Aims to bring senior marketing decision-makers together for high-level discussion.
• Deloitte Next Gen CMO Academy A program at Deloitte University designed to help rising marketing leaders prepare for the top CMO role through interactive sessions, panels, and personal growth coaching. Jim Stengel serves as a longtime mentor and guide.
• The CMO Podcast A weekly podcast hosted by Jim Stengel featuring in-depth conversations with CMOs and senior marketing leaders about purpose-driven leadership, brand building, and the evolving role of the modern CMO. Distributed on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
• The Brand Builder's Playbook A limited 8-part podcast series co-hosted with Ryan Barker, founder of Bera.AI, exploring how top marketers build resilient, revenue-driving brands in the era of AI. Sits within the firm's broader content and community offering.
• Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World's Greatest Companies Jim Stengel's first book exploring how businesses driven by clear, authentic purpose outperform their peers, based on research into what makes great brands thrive. Reinforces the firm's purpose-led thought leadership positioning.
• Unleashing the Innovators: How Mature Companies Find New Life with Startups A playbook co-authored with Tom Post on how large, established companies can succeed by partnering with startups to stay agile and relevant. Reinforces Jim Stengel's positioning on innovation and growth.

Quantifiable outcome

• P&G's annual sales doubled during Jim Stengel's tenure as Global CMO (2001–2008)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northwestern University's Kellogg School of ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Jim Stengel serves as a Senior Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management. He co-hosts the annual Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit and teaches executive education courses. He also contributed to the design of Kellogg's first online MBA program, teaching four modules.
• Egon ZehndercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Egon Zehnder partners with Jim Stengel and Kellogg on the annual Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit, an invitation-only gathering of senior marketing leaders. Egon Zehnder contributes executive search and leadership expertise to the program.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017McKinsey & Company partners with Jim Stengel and Kellogg on the annual Kellogg Marketing Leadership Summit, providing consulting and leadership expertise to the executive gathering.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Jim Stengel is a longtime mentor and guide at the Deloitte Next Gen CMO Academy, held at Deloitte University. Deloitte is also a sponsor of The CMO Podcast. The partnership involves interactive sessions, panels, and live podcast interviews focused on purpose, leadership, and elevating marketing's role within the C-suite.
• Cannes Lions (LIONS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Jim Stengel launched and has led the Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator Programme since 2013, in partnership with Cannes Lions (LIONS). This two-day leadership development program for senior marketers has grown to 450+ alumni from 50+ countries. The program is a flagship offering that serves as a primary channel for the firm's visibility and client relationships.
• BloombergcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Bloomberg partners with Cannes Lions and The Jim Stengel Company on the CMO Accelerator Programme, providing editorial and media support and adding credibility to the program.
• Bain & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Bain & Company is a strategic partner in the Cannes Lions CMO Accelerator Programme, contributing to the program's curriculum and thought leadership content alongside Jim Stengel and LIONS.
• AOLminorOthers · 1 January 2009Jim Stengel served on AOL's Board of Directors from 2009–2015, providing strategic guidance during AOL's repositioning as a digital content and advertising leader, culminating in its acquisition by Verizon.
• MotorolaminorOthers · 1 January 2005Jim Stengel served on Motorola's Board of Directors from 2005–2009, chairing the Compensation & Leadership Committee. He continued on the board at Motorola Mobility after its 2009 split, guiding the company through its acquisition by Google for $12.5 billion.
• VyveminorOthersVyve produces The CMO Podcast. The podcast also has sponsors including Deloitte, TransUnion, and Best Buy.
• UCLA Anderson School of BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJim Stengel served as an Adjunct Professor at UCLA Anderson School of Business from 2009–2015, where he pioneered a new MBA course focused on brand purpose, bringing in weekly industry leaders.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Interbrand: Interbrand is a global brand consultancy offering brand strategy, positioning, valuation, and design services to enterprise clients. It competes with JSC on enterprise purpose-and-brand engagements and has a similarly senior consultant-led delivery model.
• FutureBrand: FutureBrand is a global brand strategy and design consultancy (part of Interpublic) that works with enterprise clients on brand positioning and transformation, comparable to JSC's enterprise focus.
• Siegel+Gale: Siegel+Gale is a brand strategy consultancy focused on simplicity, brand positioning, and customer experience for enterprise clients. Its CMO-led engagement model and Fortune 500 client base overlap materially with JSC.
• Brand Union: Brand Union is a brand consultancy offering strategy, design, and activation services to global enterprises. It is comparable to JSC on purpose-driven brand strategy engagements with Fortune 500 clients.
• Landor & Fitch: Landor & Fitch (part of WPP) is a global brand consulting and design firm serving Fortune 500 clients on brand strategy and activation. Comparable to JSC on enterprise brand transformation, though at significantly larger scale within a holding-company structure.
• Lippincott: Lippincott is a brand strategy and design consultancy working with Fortune 500 CMOs on brand positioning, identity, and purpose. Its senior-advisor-led model and Fortune 500 client roster make it one of the closest comparables to JSC.
• Prophet: Prophet is a brand and marketing consultancy that helps clients grow through brand strategy, customer experience, and organizational transformation. It directly competes with JSC for the same CMO-led brand-transformation engagements.
• The Cambridge Group: The Cambridge Group is a growth strategy consultancy that uses consumer insights to drive brand and innovation strategy. Its Fortune 500 client base and growth-strategy positioning make it a peer to JSC's purpose-and-growth engagements.

Broad incumbents

• Bain & Company (Marketing practice): Bain & Company is a global management consultancy whose Customer Strategy & Marketing practice serves many of the same Fortune 500 CMOs as JSC. It is comparable as a broader incumbent alternative for CMO-level marketing and brand transformation work.
• McKinsey & Company (Marketing & Sales): McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm whose Marketing & Sales practice competes for the largest enterprise CMO transformation mandates. It is a broad incumbent alternative to JSC, with the same partner-level access to Fortune 500 marketing leaders.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheCMOPodcast
• Xx.com/jimstengel
• Facebookfacebook.com/jimstengelideals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-jim-stengel-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Jim Stengel Company