Podcasts

Season 5, Episode 9 Heart First: Brendan McCarthy on Leadership, Punk Rock, and the Path to CMO | Part 1

Written by The Marketing Practice Team | Jul 16, 2025 9:22:17 AM

In Part 1 of our conversation with Brendan McCarthy, CMO at Criteo, we explore the early influences that shaped his career—from a pivotal internship and a gifted copy of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, to a teenage love of punk rock and noir fiction.  

Brendan reflects on the power of mentorship, why his five-year career plan never changed, and how music helps him manage energy and mindset. He opens up about discipline, adaptability, and why his dream alternative career might just involve a fast-paced kitchen.