In Conversation with Carly McConnell

Tell us about your background:

After 15 years leading marketing and communications for global brands and technology companies, I recently launched McConnell Marketing & Communications, a consultancy focused on helping brands navigate growth, transformation, and launch.

Throughout my career, I've held marketing leadership roles at Philips, Samsung, American Express, LiveRamp, Simulmedia, and IBM, working across consumer products, healthcare, financial services, and technology. Most recently, I led U.S. Marketing Communications for Philips Sonicare and Philips Avent, overseeing integrated marketing, communications, media, influencer partnerships, retail activation, and go-to-market strategy.

My experience spans brand positioning, communications strategy, product launches, media and retail media, influencer marketing, eCommerce, and cross-functional leadership. I enjoy helping organizations simplify complex challenges, better understand their customers, and build strategies that drive both brand and business results.

I started my consultancy because I wanted to spend more time focused on the work I enjoy most: solving business problems, building brands, and partnering closely with teams and founders to create meaningful impact.

I'm excited to join the co-lab to connect with other marketers, learn from others, share experiences, and build relationships with people who are passionate about marketing, growth, and innovation. I'm also open to consulting, fractional, and project-based opportunities where I can help brands accelerate growth!

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

I wish I'd known how much patience matters. Early in my career, I expected great ideas and hard work to produce immediate results. Over time, I've learned that branding, relationships, and careers all work similarly: you plant seeds, nurture them consistently, and trust that the results will come. Sometimes the hardest part is giving them enough time to grow.

Best career advice you've ever received?

One of the best pieces of career advice I ever received was from a CEO I worked for. He told me, "Hard conversations don't get easier with time."

Whether it's performance feedback, misaligned expectations, conflict, or difficult decisions, I've found that avoiding the conversation usually makes the problem bigger. Addressing issues early, honestly, and respectfully is almost always the better path.

I think brands face the same challenge. The strongest brands are willing to confront hard truths, adapt when needed, and address issues head-on rather than hoping they'll resolve themselves.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

1. Transparency: I believe people deserve to know the truth about what's happening in a business. Great leaders treat their teams with respect and are open about the good, the bad, and the ugly. Transparency builds trust and helps people feel invested in the outcomes.
2. Strong Communication: Great leaders clearly articulate expectations, provide candid feedback, and ensure everyone understands priorities and goals. So many business challenges can be solved with clear, thoughtful communication.
3. Accountability: The best leaders own both their successes and their mistakes. They don't look for someone else to blame when things go wrong. Instead, they take responsibility, learn from failures, and help their teams do the same.
4. Humor: Work is important, but it should also be enjoyable. I appreciate leaders who have a sense of humor and can keep things light when appropriate. We spend a lot of time with our colleagues, and a little laughter goes a long way in building stronger teams.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

The biggest challenge in my career has been learning that I don't have to take on the world by myself. I've always been ambitious and eager to solve problems, which has served me well, but it has also led me to take on too much at times and feel overwhelmed. I've had to push myself to learn how to delegate, trust others, and focus my energy on the highest-impact work.

A related challenge has been maintaining healthy boundaries between work and life. I care deeply about my work and become genuinely invested in the brands, teams, and people I support. Since becoming a mother, I've learned that success isn't just about professional achievement. Finding ways to be fully present in both my career and my personal life is something I continue to work on every day, and I've come to realize that protecting time for the people who matter most ultimately makes me a better leader and sets a positive example for those around me.

How do you define success in your career, and how has that definition evolved over time?

Early in my career, I defined success through traditional milestones: promotions, larger scopes of responsibility, bigger budgets, and working for well-known brands. Those achievements were important and helped me build confidence and experience.

Over time, my definition of success has evolved. Today, success is about creating meaningful impact, doing work that energizes me, building strong relationships, and having the flexibility to be fully present in the things that matter most.

I've come to realize that success isn't measured solely by a title or a position. It's about doing meaningful work, staying true to your values, and building a life and career that feel both rewarding and sustainable.

How has networking contributed to your professional growth and success?

How has it not??

Networking is everything in a career. Our careers are shaped by the people we meet and the relationships we build along the way. Those relationships open doors, help us navigate challenges, expose us to new perspectives, and create opportunities to give back and support others.

When I look back on my career, nearly every meaningful opportunity can be traced back to a conversation, a connection, or someone who was willing to invest their time and trust in me.

As I've launched my own consultancy, this lesson has become even more apparent. Relationships are the most valuable assets we build throughout our careers.

What are your top networking tips for building strong connections in your industry?

1. Listen with intent. The best networking conversations aren't about talking about yourself. They're about being curious, asking thoughtful questions, and learning from other people's experiences. People have invaluable knowledge to offer if you're willing to listen.
2. Be open and transparent. No one can read your mind. Whether you're looking for advice, business opportunities, or simply trying to build relationships, it's important to communicate clearly and authentically.
3. Treat everyone with respect. The marketing world is small, and your reputation will follow you throughout your career. The people you work with today may become future colleagues or clients. Kindness and respect go a long way.
4. Have fun. People are naturally drawn to positive energy. Networking doesn't have to feel transactional or forced. It can be fun, and some of the best brand ideas come from conversations over coffee or cocktails!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyexum/

Website: https://mcconnell-marketing.com

Instagram: @carlyexummcconnell