2025 Top Summer Reading List for CMOs and Marketing Leaders

Even when your OOO is on and inbox volume dips, summer is a strategic opportunity—not just to rest, but to sharpen your thinking. For CMOs, VPs, and Marketing Directors, July provides a rare chance to step away from execution and embrace reflection, inspiration, and team growth.

This curated list of books, podcasts, reports, and quick reads is built for marketing leaders who want to return energized, informed, and ready to lead. No fluff—just real insight.

Books That Stretch Your Perspective

• The Cold Start Problem by Andrew Chen – A go-to for growth-focused CMOs looking to build network-driven models (includes Uber, Zoom, Reddit frameworks).
• Imaginable by Jane McGonigal – A visionary playbook for future-forward brand planning.
• Belonging to the Brand by Mark Schaefer – Community-first marketing with emotional resonance at the core.
• The Voice of the Underdog by Mike Sullivan & Michael Tuggle – How challenger brands break through with culture-first differentiation.

Best Marketing Podcasts for Growth in 2025

• Marketing Against the Grain – Hosted by HubSpot’s Kipp Bodnar & Kieran Flanagan; semi-weekly episodes on growth tactics and innovation (podcasts.apple.com).
• Lenny’s Podcast: Product | Growth | Career – Deep interviews with product & growth leaders, actionable insights for marketing strategy (lennysnewsletter.com).
• Uncensored CMO – A no-holds-barred podcast that delves into the real stories, strategies, successes—and missteps—of marketing leaders. Hosted by Jon Evans, it goes beyond boardroom gloss to explore the “good, the bad, and quite frankly, downright ugly truth about marketing theory & practice.”
• The Voice of the Underdog podcast – Hosts Mike Sullivan & Michael Tuggle explore brand challengers, culture, and standout differentiation.

Quick Marketing Insights and Reports to Bookmark

• Salesforce 9th Edition State of Marketing Report – Trends on AI, data integration, and personalization from 5,000+ marketers (open.spotify.com, salesforce.com).
• HubSpot 2025 State of Marketing Report – Benchmarking insights from 1,200+ marketers, including AI and workflow tactics (hubspot.com).
• Standout LinkedIn posts from voices like Ann Handley, Katelyn Bourgoin, and Mike Sullivan.

How to Apply What You Learn This Summer

• Support peak learning: Create “20-minute reading sprints,” walking book clubs, or weekly “what I learned” roundtables.
• Bring the learning in: Ask your team to share one insight per week—harness summer energy into culture-first momentum.

Whether you’re logging off for a well-earned break or using July to plan the next big move for your brand, now is the perfect time to refuel with ideas that challenge, inspire, and prepare you for what’s ahead. This curated reading and listening list offers practical insight and strategic perspective tailored for CMOs, VPs, and Marketing Directors who want to grow even when the pace slows. Because great marketing leadership doesn’t take the summer off—it just gets a little more intentional.

What’s on your summer list? Visit our social pages to share and weigh in!

LAUREN LAW is director of business development at LOOMIS, the country’s leading challenger brand advertising agency and a top Dallas advertising agency for digital, social, mobile and user experience. For more about challenger branding, advertising, and marketing, leadership, culture, and other inspirations that will drive your success, visit our blog BARK! The Voice of the Underdog and catch up on all of our posts.

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