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Fractional CMOs in Austin Making Things Happen in 2025
Austin Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know
Austin is more than just the Live Music Capital of the World—it’s a booming innovation corridor where startups scale, investors take bold bets, and companies look to stand out in saturated markets. From the domains of SaaS and fintech to CPG and clean energy, Austin's business ecosystem thrives on energy, ingenuity, and agility. That same spirit defines its fractional CMOs—marketing leaders who bring strategic firepower and brand discipline without requiring a full-time hire.
At Digital Reference, our platform is built to elevate professionals through radical transparency and authenticity. We believe the most impactful work often happens behind the scenes—and fractional CMOs are perfect examples of that. These are professionals who build go-to-market engines, drive brand differentiation, and help founders find their marketing voice.
In this blog, we’re excited to introduce you to a curated group of Austin-based and Austin-adjacent fractional CMOs who are making things happen in Central Texas.
Our Methodology - Austin Fractional CMO Services
We selected this group based on the following criteria:
- Location: Based in Austin or the greater Central Texas region (Round Rock, San Marcos, Cedar Park)
- Service Model: Currently active as a fractional, interim, or part-time Chief Marketing Officer
- Track Record: Demonstrated leadership experience with startups, growth-stage companies, or notable campaigns
- Professional Transparency: Maintains a LinkedIn or website that outlines services, philosophy, and past work
- Digital Reference Fit: Represents the values of visibility, credibility, and structured storytelling
This is not a list of job titles. It’s a collection of builders, advisors, and leaders redefining what marketing leadership looks like.
Meet the Fractional CMOs in Austin Making Things Happen
Vera Fischer
Founder, Fractional CMO Services LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/verakfischer/
A seasoned executive and founder of Fractional CMO Services LLC, Vera Fischer provides fractional CMO services with a C-suite perspective. She has led marketing transformations across industries, focusing on clarity, alignment, and operational efficiency.
Why She Stands Out:
- Deep experience in agency leadership, B2B marketing, and organizational scaling
- Focused on marketing infrastructure, team enablement, and revenue alignment
- Works with clients in healthcare, education, tech, and professional services
Vera is a strategic powerhouse for companies looking to build a marketing engine that’s built to last.
The Digital Reference Team had the chance to interview Vera - here's what we learned:
What's your typical approach to client engagements?
"At Fractional CMO Services, client engagements follow my VAST™ Marketing Leadership System, ensuring strategic clarity and measurable results. First, I establish the Vision by uncovering long-term objectives and market opportunities. Next, I foster Alignment across leadership and teams, uniting stakeholders around shared goals and KPIs. Then, I engineer Scale by building repeatable processes, optimizing resources, and leveraging the right channels. Finally, I drive Traction through data-driven execution, continuous testing, and iterative improvements. By applying the VAST™ framework, I deliver a powerful, cohesive marketing strategy that evolves with the client's business, accelerates growth, and embeds sustainable, ongoing momentum for long-term success."
What type of clients are the best fit for you?
"The best fit for Fractional CMO Services are growth-oriented organizations that need high-level marketing leadership without the overhead of a full-time CMO. Ideal clients typically include: Mid-market companies scaling rapidly or entering new markets, private equity-backed businesses seeking strategic clarity and ROI-driven growth, start-ups and SMBs ready to professionalize their marketing function, organizations in transition (mergers, acquisitions, or digital transformations) needing interim guidance, and lastly, teams without internal senior marketing expertise but with committed budgets for strategic investment."
What are your specialties or professional superpowers?
"I turn marketing chaos into clear, actionable roadmaps—My superpowers include Vision Casting: I spot untapped opportunities and craft bold, future-focused strategies. Team Alchemy: I unite disparate teams around shared KPIs, making cross-functional collaboration feel effortless. Budgets: I craft transparent, data-driven marketing budgets that set clear expectations from day one—allocating every dollar strategically to drive measurable ROI. Data-Driven Agility: I obsess over metrics, test relentlessly, and pivot fast to keep momentum humming. Human-Centered Creativity: I blend AI-powered insights with authentic storytelling to make your brand unforgettable."
What else should your clients know about you?
"I have a talent for boiling down complex data, processes, and strategies into clear, actionable insights that teams actually grasp. I love mentoring—and positioning people in roles they’re passionate about, so everyone’s in the right seat on the bus. My guiding principles are honesty, growth, and autonomy. I approach every client project as if it were my own business, fully aware of the pressures leadership faces. And because I’m always thinking ahead, I can vividly map out the next 6–12 months—anticipating challenges and opportunities before they arise. And I'm an ENTJ."
Kara Burney
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-burney-bb779464/
With a background in brand strategy and storytelling, Kara Burney brings clarity and cohesion to scaling startups. She works at the intersection of marketing strategy and narrative design—helping companies articulate not just what they do, but why it matters.
Why She Stands Out:
- Former marketing lead at content-focused SaaS and media companies
- Focuses on brand storytelling, customer journey mapping, and executive comms
- Helps teams build internal alignment around marketing strategy
Kara is the fractional CMO for founders who want to move from messaging chaos to brand clarity.
Andrew Smith
https://www.linkedin.com/in/picklenetwork/
A marketing innovator and community-builder, Andrew Smith takes a multidisciplinary approach to fractional CMO work. With a strong background in branding, growth marketing, and startup operations, he’s known for creating campaigns that resonate across channels.
Why He Stands Out:
- Co-founder of creative ventures and community platforms
- Skilled in brand development, demand gen, and experiential marketing
- Combines creative instincts with data-driven execution
Andrew is ideal for Austin brands that want a fractional CMO who thinks big and builds fast.
Why Austin Is Perfect for Fractional Marketing Leadership
Austin has always thrived on flexibility, creativity, and cross-pollination. The city’s ecosystem is rich with accelerators, incubators, and founder-led businesses looking for senior talent that can plug in without the bureaucracy.
Here’s why fractional CMOs are on the rise in Austin:
- Startups and bootstrapped founders need executive marketing without long-term payroll
- Venture-backed firms want a fast-moving partner who can scale marketing teams from 0 to 1
- Creative and tech-driven businesses seek marketing leaders who understand both storytelling and structure
- The city’s strong network of consultants, freelancers, and growth hackers makes it ideal for fractional ecosystems
In short, Austin is a city of velocity—and fractional CMOs are perfectly positioned to keep up.
Digital Reference: Showcasing the Work Behind the Title
At Digital Reference, we’re changing how professionals are evaluated—not just by resumes or networks, but by verified outcomes. Our platform empowers fractional leaders to:
- Capture client testimonials and references in one trusted place
- Create structured portfolios to showcase expertise
- Build a transparent digital footprint that reflects their real impact
We believe that the most efficient talent ecosystems are those where trust is earned, not assumed. And our goal is to make those systems visible.
Final Thoughts: Austin’s CMOs Are Helping Brands Lead Loudly
From purpose-driven storytelling to sales-aligned strategy, Austin’s top fractional CMOs are shaping the growth trajectories of the region’s most exciting companies. The providers listed above represent some of the most credible and forward-thinking marketing leaders in India today. This guide is one of many that we've put together to help you hire the right professional for your needs. Below are a few other helpful guides from Digital Reference:
- Local City Directories of Fractional CMOs
- Learn more about the broader sphere of marketing professionals
- Need an in house-leader? Explore our deep dive of marketing executives
- Deciding between an outsourced CMO and a fractional CMO
These professionals aren’t just marketers—they’re problem solvers, builders, and embedded allies. If your company is ready to take the next step in brand clarity or go-to-market execution, start here.
Explore Our Global & National Fractional CMO Services Directories
Start here if you're looking for a broad list of vetted agencies and platforms offering fractional CMO services across regions:
Fractional CMO Services in the USA
The U.S. has one of the most developed markets for fractional CMOs, particularly in tech, SaaS, and DTC. With access to world-class operators who’ve led growth at scale, hiring from the U.S. means deep specialization and a high standard for strategic leadership—even on a part-time basis.
Fractional CMO Services in the United Kingdom
UK-based CMOs bring a global sensibility with strong roots in brand-building, storytelling, and demand gen. Whether you're scaling in EMEA or need a transatlantic marketing partner, hiring from the UK often means balancing creativity with commercial acumen.
Fractional CMO Services in Canada
Canada’s marketing consultants offer a unique blend of U.S.-adjacent market knowledge and European-influenced brand thinking. CMOs from Canada are often adept at cross-border strategy, digital-first execution, and cost-effective scaling for both startups and nonprofits.
Fractional CMO Services in Australia
Australia is home to a rapidly growing fractional talent ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on lean growth, ecommerce, and APAC expansion strategy. CMOs here often bring a scrappy, startup-savvy approach—ideal for early-stage or global-minded teams.
Fractional CMO Services in the United Arab Emirates
Hiring a fractional CMO from the UAE gives you access to multilingual, multi-market strategists who understand high-growth sectors like fintech, hospitality, and real estate. With experience operating across MENA and beyond, UAE-based leaders are often skilled in both regional
Fractional CMO Services in India
nuance and global brand building.
India’s fractional CMOs are known for blending strategic marketing with operational efficiency. Many bring deep experience in tech, SaaS, and outsourcing models—and are especially skilled at scaling customer acquisition and digital strategy on tight budgets.
These lists feature curated selections of leading firms and consultants offering fractional and part-time CMO services, often categorized by industry focus, engagement style, and executive depth.
Check Out Our Local Fractional, Part-Time, and Virtual CMO Talent by City
We’ve curated regional directories so you can find fractional CMOs near you—whether you want someone who understands your local market or you’re building an in-person team.
Ann Arbor Fractional CMO Services
Ann Arbor’s tight-knit business ecosystem and university-adjacent innovation make it a great place to find CMOs who blend intellectual rigor with grassroots marketing strategy. Expect data-driven marketers with strong startup and research-sector experience.
Boston Fractional CMO Services
Boston fractional CMOs often bring deep experience in healthtech, edtech, and B2B enterprise marketing. With a strong talent pipeline from local universities and innovation districts, these leaders pair analytical strength with strategic polish.
Chicago Fractional CMO Services
Chicago’s CMOs are pros at navigating between scrappy and structured. You’ll find leaders here who know how to scale growth functions for midmarket companies and bring calm to complex go-to-market systems.
Dallas Fractional CMO Services
With a strong presence in healthcare, real estate, and professional services, Dallas-based CMOs often bring industry-specific insights and relationship-first marketing chops—plus the ability to scale regionally and nationally.
Detroit Fractional CMO Services
Detroit is more than automotive—its CMOs are experts in industrial storytelling, brand turnarounds, and community-driven campaigns. Expect leaders who can balance legacy with innovation in highly competitive markets.
Los Angeles Fractional CMO Services
LA-based CMOs bring a strong blend of entertainment, DTC, and brand-forward experience. Whether you’re building a lifestyle brand or scaling a content-first product, these marketers know how to make it resonate—and convert.
New York City Fractional CMO Services
New York’s marketing leaders are built for speed, scale, and big vision. Hiring a fractional CMO here means access to world-class brand architects, revenue ops pros, and category definers who move quickly and deliver results.
Phoenix Fractional CMO Services
Phoenix is emerging as a hub for cost-efficient growth, and its CMOs are leading the charge. You’ll find leaders with expertise in real estate, healthcare, and service-based businesses—great for companies expanding in the Southwest.
San Diego Fractional CMO Services
San Diego fractional CMOs often come with deep domain knowledge in biotech, healthtech, and mission-driven startups. Their approach combines high-level marketing strategy with a clear understanding of regulatory and clinical nuances.
San Francisco Fractional CMO Services
In SF, CMOs are operators as much as storytellers. You’ll find talent with experience in VC-backed startups, PLG models, and growth experimentation—ideal for companies scaling in competitive or saturated markets.
Tampa Fractional CMO Services
Tampa is quickly becoming a go-to market for tech and remote-first startups. CMOs here bring the ability to build growth foundations from the ground up, often for businesses transitioning out of the founder-led phase.
Washington, D.C. Fractional CMO Services
DC’s fractional CMOs stand out for their strategic messaging, policy awareness, and nonprofit expertise. They’re trusted by think tanks, advocacy orgs, and mission-led startups that need to tell complex stories with clarity and credibility.
And if you’re a fractional executive looking for a platform to document your impact and elevate your reputation, Digital Reference is built for you.
– The Digital Reference Team
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