Christina Kozen

Large enterprise CMOs are facing a critical challenge: Drive AI transformation while doing right by the teams that built your organization. The C-suite wants AI transformation yesterday. Their teams—many with decades of institutional knowledge—are skeptical, exhausted, or both. Here's what I keep hearing: "I know we need to move fast. But I can't just blow up my team in the process." These leaders aren't stuck because they don't understand AI. They're stuck because they understand people. They need a plan for that first and foremost when the org gets to a certain size. They know that legacy expertise is still valuable and long-tenured employees deserve honesty about what's coming, not false promises. Transformation that breaks trust isn't really transformation—it's just chaos with better tech. This is the real leadership challenge of AI transformation - navigating the human complexity of change in organizations where relationships, tenure, and culture run deep.

18

2 Comments

Enterprise platforms are at an inflection point. In an AI-first world, value no longer comes from systems of record alone. Value comes from how well platforms, people and intelligent agents work together. This new Accenture research explores the new rules of platform strategy in the age of agentic AI. Leaders who align architecture, operating models and talent around AI are pulling ahead on growth, speed and resilience - period. The shift isn’t about replacing platforms. It’s about making them ready for what’s next. Read the full report. https://accntu.re/4k9mmg7 #AgenticAI #EnterprisePlatforms #DigitalTransformation

18

Publicis Sapient and HFS Research surveyed over 600 IT and business executives from various industries worldwide. The study underscores how AI-driven modernization could be a big part of how organizations tackle their mounting tech debt. Read the full article on Consulting.us here: https://bit.ly/3GfSPSv

1

Quick video (Harvard Business Review the one on IG is better) highlighting the crux of the AI impact on jobs debate. While Dan Schulman’s view is pragmatic and honest, Brad Smith is leadership-driven, inspiring and equally within reach. Where I think the difference lies is our willingness to intentionally select and invest in the future we want for ourselves. I.e. If we let machines do the work for us (sit back, do nothing), or use machines to improve how we do the work (which requires effort)…. So our choice. So curious what others are seeing/experiencing that tip the predictions one way or the other. https://lnkd.in/eEXtduAH

11

Babak, your comments in Joao-Pierre Ruth InformationWeek piece from Davos, and your BBC News interview this morning, really struck a chord. That article made a strong point that AI was front and centre for business leaders at Davos, while still feeling more peripheral for many politicians. The commercial world clearly sees where this is heading, but the reality on the ground is moving far more slowly. The Wall Street Journal recently noted that AI adoption across companies is still “slow and uneven,” with most organisations stuck in pilot mode rather than real, scaled deployment. Lots of noise. Plenty of decks. Not nearly as much real impact in the day-to-day customer journey. That idea that the future of AI isn’t one giant assistant, but lots of specialised agents working together behind the scenes, feels exactly where things are heading. The retail leaders and agency teams I’m speaking to aren’t asking if they should use AI anymore. They’re asking where it improves service, conversion, and customer confidence right now, especially across the direct-to-consumer journey, and who ultimately owns the first-party data coming out of it. Working from London with the Silicon Valley-based team Mind Over Media , I’m seeing real traction from practical, brand-owned agents that sit inside the customer journey, remove friction at the exact moment it matters, and keep the relationship and the data with the brand. As founders Andy Anderson and Jamie Parker put it: “As commerce moves toward agents and agent-to-agent interactions, every brand will need its own intelligence representing it. We build for the brand, not the channel, so that brain sits with the company, and they keep ownership of the customer relationship, the data, and the commercial outcome.” And this isn’t about replacing people. It’s about giving teams better tools that actually work in the real world. As someone who’s dyslexic thinker, AI has genuinely transformed my day-to-day working life. As Sir Richard Branson often says, it can be a powerful co-pilot, but human creativity still matters most. That balance between human judgement and agent-driven systems feels like the real direction of travel. Much of the work around Mind Over Media AI sits right in the middle of this shift. Let me know what you think? #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #GenerativeAI #AgenticAI #Davos #CustomerExperience #DirectToConsumer #FirstPartyData #DigitalTransformation #Retail #Ecommerce #MarketingTechnology #FutureOfWork

9

1 Comment

BCG study finds only about 5% of firms worldwide are “AI future-built” and seeing strong revenue, cost, and operational gains. https://lnkd.in/ef4gDsmi

4

Harvard Business Review explores the practical, real-life applications of #genAI, how organizations can strategize around #agenticAI, what the #technology means for managers, and more: https://lnkd.in/dxMih-bZ

18

1 Comment

This research with BCG reinforces something we are seeing clearly across the ecosystem. Discussing it with Giorgo Paizanis and speaking with ADWEEK’s Jenny Rooney were both highlights for me at International CES - Consumer Electronics Show. The biggest impact of AI is not the technology itself. It is how quickly consumer behavior is changing. As discovery collapses into a single answer and AI increasingly acts on behalf of consumers, the traditional marketing funnel fundamentally breaks. Visibility alone is no longer a strategy. What matters now is whether a brand has earned enough trust, relevance, and differentiation to be chosen, even when AI sits in the middle. That is why owned destinations, first-party relationships, and strong customer experiences are not defensive moves. They are long-term advantages. I am excited for the research Moloco conducted in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to be released on January 21. The AI Disruption Index will continue to shape conversations with marketers at upcoming industry moments including POSSIBLE and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In an AI-first world, loyalty is not driven by clicks. It is driven by relationships. #CES2026 #Moloco #CannesLions #Possible #BCG #AI #ConsumerBehavior #Marketing #Brands #CMO #MolocoAtCES #CES #AdTech #AIDisruptionIndex Kezia Vere Nicoll Lana McGilvray Donnetta Campbell Beth Berger Robin Raskin Patrick Copeland Craig Hatkoff

60

9 Comments

In the AI era, CMOs and CEOs are redefining leadership dynamics. Insights from live discussions at Davos highlight the pivotal roles of agentic AI and brand stewardship. Discover how these shifts are impacting the C-suite landscape and reshaping marketing strategies for the future. #SmallBusinessLeadership #MarketingStrategies #AIinBusiness #CeoInsights https://lnkd.in/gVGPGJVU

8