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Fractional CMO vs Internal Hire vs Agency - What’s Best for Your Growth-Focused Business?
If you’re a founder, director or business owner feeling stuck between needing senior marketing leadership but not ready for a $250K hire, you’re not alone.
A growing number of mid-sized Australian companies are turning to Fractional CMOs – senior marketing leaders embedded into your business without the overhead of a full-time executive.
What Is a Fractional CMO?
A Fractional CMO is a part-time or project-based senior marketer.
They work inside your business, leading strategy, team development and performance. You get senior leadership, but without the full-time cost or long-term headcount.
They’re not an agency. They’re not a contractor. They’re a commercial marketer embedded in your team to build structure, clarity and results.
Why Are More Australian Businesses Going Fractional?
The model is growing fast – and for good reason. Consider these stats:
- 43% of mid-sized businesses are turning to fractional executives to plug strategic gaps without inflating headcount.
Source: BDO Mid-Market Survey, 2022 - 82% of fractional leaders have held executive positions in more than one industry – bringing wider context and stronger decision-making.
Source: EY Europe Board Effectiveness Study, 2023 - Fractional leaders are 2.5x more likely to implement measurable marketing ROI reporting within 6 months.
Source: LeaseMyMarketing: Fractional CMO ROI Report, 2023
Business owners are realising they:
- Don’t want to manage junior marketers themselves
- Have been burned by agencies who overpromise and underdeliver
- Need real commercial accountability from someone who thinks like a business owner
Comparing Your Options: Internal Hire vs Fractional CMO vs Marketing Agency
Why Ask Marketing?
Ask Marketing is Australia’s leading Fractional CMO service.
We’re not a marketing agency. We’re not a solo consultant. We’re embedded, commercial marketers who:
- Lead your internal marketing team and build capability
- Are embedded in your team. A face on your website. A ‘your company’ email address. To the outsdie world, a full time, internal CMO.
- Own your marketing strategy and budget
- Work alongside sales and executive leadership
- Report on what matters – demand generation, conversion and ROI
We start with a 4-week roadmap project to give you clarity, value and confidence – fast.
Explore more:
- Why Fractional is the Future of Leadership?
- Why smart companies are thinking smaller to grow bigger?
- Is it time to hand over the marketing reigns?
Is a Fractional CMO Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- Are you spending $10K+ per month on marketing but can’t track ROI?
- Do you have marketers on your team but no senior leadership?
- Are you planning to scale, sell or restructure in the next 1–3 years?
If yes, it might be time to try something smarter.
At Ask Marketing, we begin every engagement with a 4-week roadmap. It’s the best way to unlock value and test fit – before committing long-term.
Let’s talk about how this model could work for you.
With Ask Marketing you can hire a senior marketer, for a fraction of the cost of a full time resource.
Ask was founded by sisters Alexandra & Stephanie King in 2017.
Now with clients in Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane, B2B and Services Companies come to us for Australia’s Leading Fractional CMOs.
We place an Ask Marketer in your business to lead your marketing in a part-time capacity, ensuring you get the expertise of a marketing leader while keeping costs efficient and flexible.
You’re Not Buying a Service. You’re Hiring a Leader.
Click here to ask us how it could work for you.
Or, follow us on LinkedIn.
Connect with Ask Marketing | Connect with Alexandra King | Connect with Stephanie King
