Fractional CMO & Digital Strategist; Head of Strategy at Itera, acting as Fractional CMO for Planet Multimedia
If Milan is the capital of fashion and Rome the political center, Bari and southern Italy are quickly becoming a hub of digital creativity. From this region comes Emanuele Veneziani, a professional who has built his reputation as a Fractional Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) by combining strategy with execution and giving companies exactly what they need to accelerate their growth.
From Consultant to Fractional CMO
Emanuele began his career in digital marketing at a time when Italy was just starting to talk about inbound marketing and digital funnels. He worked for agencies and later became Head of Strategy at Itera, where he led complex marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C clients.
“I loved the strategic part, but I also wanted to see how ideas come to life. I realized that the value of a CMO isn’t just in designing plans, but in making sure they actually work.”
In parallel, he began receiving requests from startups and SMEs that couldn’t afford a full-time CMO.
“Founders would ask me: can you work with us a few hours a week? That’s how I started to clearly define my role as a Fractional CMO.”
What a Fractional CMO Does – According to Emanuele
Emanuele describes his role simply:
“I’m not a typical consultant who leaves a report and disappears. I join the company, become part of the team, get directly involved, and deliver results.”
The main areas he works in:
- Brand strategy – clarifying positioning and key messaging
- Digital marketing – SEO, social media, paid campaigns
- Sales funnels – designing the customer journey from lead to conversion
- Growth hacking – rapid testing to discover effective channels
- Leadership for small marketing teams – mentoring and structuring
Impact Examples
- A tech startup in Bari had an innovative product but zero visibility.
“I redefined their positioning, created a LinkedIn campaign, and launched a technical blog. In six months, organic traffic grew by 150%, and the company landed its first enterprise clients.”
- A B2C lifestyle company was struggling with conversions.
“I rebuilt their website with a focus on UX, launched Facebook Ads campaigns, and optimized the funnel. Conversions doubled in three months.”
- A traditional services firm wanted to expand internationally.
“I created an international digital marketing plan targeting Germany and France. After one year, 30% of their clients were from outside Italy.”
Emanuele’s Philosophy
For Veneziani, marketing is more than ads or social media posts:
“It’s the art of telling the right story, at the right time, through the right channel. If you don’t tell the story, the product remains invisible.”
He also believes in clarity and simplicity:
“I’ve seen companies with 100-page marketing plans that no one uses. I prefer a simple three-step plan that can be implemented immediately.”
Challenges of the Fractional Role
Like any fractional leader, Emanuele faces skepticism:
“Some entrepreneurs wonder if someone who works just a few hours a week can really make a difference. The answer comes through results.”
Another challenge is managing multiple companies simultaneously:
“You have to learn how to divide your time, prioritize, and create impact quickly. You don’t have the luxury of getting lost in details.”
Why the Model Works in Italy
Emanuele believes that Italy is fertile ground for fractional marketing:
“We have thousands of SMEs, many family-owned, that have never built a proper marketing department. They need both strategy and execution but can’t afford a full-time CMO. Fractional is the perfect solution.”
Italian tech startups are also seeking international validation:
“Investors want to see clear go-to-market plans. A fractional CMO can provide that advantage exactly when it’s needed.”
Lessons Learned
From his experience, Emanuele highlights several key lessons:
- Data is fundamental. Intuition is useful, but marketing decisions must be supported by data.
- The team is key. You can have the best strategy, but without a motivated team, nothing gets done.
- Speed matters. In the digital era, a campaign launched today is worth more than a perfect one launched six months from now.
The Architect of Visibility
Emanuele Veneziani represents a new generation of marketing leaders in Italy. As a Fractional CMO, he provides companies with what they most often lack: strategic direction, practical execution, and measurable results.
“My success isn’t about creating beautiful campaigns — it’s about helping companies grow. If, after I leave, the team knows what to do and the numbers look better, then I’ve done my job.”
In an Italian market where marketing is often underestimated, Emanuele brings clarity, structure, and a modern approach — one that is fast, flexible, and fractional.
