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Exceptional Women Out West Wunderman Marketing

‘Saying no is critical’: Exceptional Women Out West featuring Jamie Gutfreund, global CMO, Wunderman

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By Doug Zanger, Americas Editor

January 20, 2017 | 3 min read

For Jamie Gutfreund, global CMO for Wunderman, the word “yes” comes up frequently. Yes to learning from and engaging youth. Yes to inspiring her team to achieve their goals. Yes to being an energetic force, exuding positivity every step of the way.

But, crucially, the word “no” matters too. As life and work can get into overdrive quickly, the ability to say “no” is critical. "I've always been a, ‘Yes, I can do it. I'll get it done’ person. It's where my superpower comes out with energy, but you have got to learn to say no.”

Another aspect that belies Gutfreund’s manner is that of being uncomfortable. She is comfortable with being uncomfortable, because it helps her think of new routes to success.

Her move to Wunderman seemed, on the surface, an interesting choice after time at places like Deep Focus, The Cassandra Report and Microsoft. But she saw something in Wunderman that made sense, crucially, for her.

This isn’t cognitive dissonance, but rather a holistic way to keeping outside the bubble of the expected. In fact, her boundless energy, curiosity and ability to connect ideas in unexpected ways demands that she takes a wider view in every aspect of her work.

But in the final analysis, it’s all about the team and the trajectory of what’s next.

“We have a great team of people that are joining the company everyday,” said Gutfreund. “I do get to work with some unbelievably creative and talent people.“

Exceptional Women Out West is a podcast that highlights and celebrates both the great achievement, lives and POV of amazing women in the Western US and Canada. Listen to previous episodes here. If you would like to nominate women out west to be part of the show, please contact North America Editor at Large, Doug Zanger.

Exceptional Women Out West Wunderman Marketing

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