Seth Matlins

  • Managing Director, Forbes CMO Network
  • Expert on Purpose/Values-Driven Marketing and Award-Winning Brand Marketer
  • Former President Rock the Vote, Founder CAA Marketing, Global CMO Live Nation, Former Head of Cultural Strategy and Insights at Endeavor’s 160over90
  • Anti-Photoshop Crusader and Author of The Truth in Advertising Act (HR 4341)

Seth Matlins is an award-winning marketer who has spent his career in and advising the C-suite of the most iconic brands globally.

As Managing Director of The Forbes CMO Network, Seth has unrivaled insight and access into the challenges facing the biggest brands, companies, and the people who lead them, globally. 

He is host of “The CEO’s Guide to Marketing” podcast, the Forbes video series “On the Evolution of Creativity and Creative,” creator of The Forbes Creator Upfronts, editor of  The Forbes World’s Most Influential CMOs list, The Forbes Entrepreneurial CMO 50 list, and curator of the most prestigious CMO Summits globally, 

Broadly recognized as one of marketing’s top thought-leaders, and the curator and convener of marketing’s most prestigious events, conversations, and recognitions, Matlins brings wit, wisdom and a pragmatic and focused perspective to every engagement.

A renowned expert on marketing, cultural, brand, and purpose-and values-driven marketing, for over 30 years, his ideas have shaped brands, businesses, and the cultural landscape itself.

He's served as President of Rock the Vote, founded the marketing practice for Creative Artists Agency, was the first Global CMO at Live Nation, launched his own double-bottom-line women’s brand and company, and was the Head of Cultural Strategy and Insights at Hollywood powerhouse Endeavor’s cultural marketing agency.

Seth is the author of both federal legislation, The Truth in Advertising Act (HR 4341), which called on the FTC and advertising industry to consider the unintended consequences of photoshopped ads and images, and The Scratch & Sniff Book of Weed (Abrams), now in its 8th printing.

An in-demand authority on marketing, cultural and brand strategy, and creativity, Seth tailors unique and indelible talks that engage, entertain, challenge, provoke and create impact.

 

Seth Matlins headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • JP Morgan Chase
  • Accenture
  • Ally Financial
  • Walmart
  • Braze
  • Out of Home Advertising Association
  • AKQA
  • Zeta Global
  • National Basketball Association
  • Microsoft
Rave Reviews About Seth Matlins
Seth Matlins is about as optimistic and impatient with our industry as they come. Thank goodness for that.

Forbes CMO Summit: Opening Remarks by Seth Matlins - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Seth Matlins

Why Marketing Needs (Much) Better Marketing

The Data Conundrum

Creativity In Service of What

Marketing to The Human and Cultural Context

Marketing Is Everything and Everything Is Marketing

Everything Connects But Not Everything is Connected

The Purpose of Purpose is Profit

What CEOs (and the rest of the C-Suite) Don’t Know—And Need To

Marketing Has Lost The Thread

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Biography

Seth Matlins is an award-winning marketer who has spent his career both in and advising the C-suite of some of the world’s biggest global brands.

He is currently the Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network, having joined Forbes in February of 2022. In this role he is charged with overseeing and building the editorial, content, programming strategy and development for one of the most influential communities of marketers globally, which includes the annual Forbes CMO Summit; the World’s Most Influential CMOs list; the Entrepreneurial CMOs list, and signature events at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, and a growing portfolio of editorial initiatives.

Prior to Forbes, he was EVP of Cultural Strategy and Insights at Hollywood powerhouse Endeavor’s full-service cultural marketing agency 160/90, where he founded and oversaw the agency’s Strategic Planning, Cultural Insights, Purpose-Driven Marketing, and Entertainment Marketing practices. He also sat on Endeavor's DEI board of advisors.

Previously, he was  the Global CMO of Live Nation; founder of That Was Then Enterprises, a brand-strategy and development consultancy, helping businesses reframe the purpose:profit narrative, where, he conceived and led the introduction of federal legislation, The Truth in Advertising Act (HR 4345), introduced in Congress in 2014 and again in 2016 with bi-partisan support, as an integrated part of a movement working to protect women and children from the health consequences perpetuated by “photoshopped” ads and images. This work, led directly to his award-winning CVS Beauty Mark campaign, while at Endeavor.

Before Live Nation, Seth started the Marketing Practice for legendary Hollywood, agency CAA. Prior to CAA, he was President of Rock the Vote.

He is also the co-author of The Scratch & Sniff Book of Weed (Abrams, 2016), now in its 7th printing.


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