Chris Gaebler: CMO and Enterprise Marketing Leader on Navigating Constant Change, AI’s Impact on Teams, and the New Realities of Modern Go-to-Market

On this episode of Embracing Erosion, Devon sits down with Chris Gaebler — a seasoned Chief Marketing Officer whose career spans leadership roles at Netscout, Kaspersky, Guardicore, Sonrai Security, and Protegrity.

In this conversation, they dive into what it means to lead marketing in an era defined by relentless change — from navigating new go-to-market models and the rise of AI, to keeping teams motivated and creative amid uncertainty. Chris shares his perspective on how CMOs can separate signal from noise, adapt their playbooks in real time, and build organizations that thrive through disruption.

Enjoy the conversation!

Key Takeaways

AI is transforming marketing roles. Chris sees generative AI as the biggest shift since the early internet — changing how content is created, distributed, and measured.
Curiosity is the new advantage. AI can optimize what exists, but only humans can imagine what’s missing. The best marketers will be defined by curiosity and creative experimentation.
B2B needs real market research. Too many teams rely on sales for insight. Marketers must reconnect directly with customers through conversations and research — things AI can’t replace.
Leadership is about empowerment. Chris leads like a coach — setting clear goals, removing barriers, and trusting people to lead in their domains.
Management matters more than ever. Great marketing cultures value communication, adaptability, and fit — not hierarchy or pedigree.
The modern CMO is a Chief Market Officer. Understanding the customer and reading the market are now the most critical skills in marketing leadership.