Fractional CMOs in Austin Making Things Happen in 2025

Austin Interim Chief Marketing Officers to Know

Austin is more than just the Live Music Capital of the World—it’s a booming innovation corridor where startups scale, investors take bold bets, and companies look to stand out in saturated markets. From the domains of SaaS and fintech to CPG and clean energy, Austin's business ecosystem thrives on energy, ingenuity, and agility. That same spirit defines its fractional CMOs—marketing leaders who bring strategic firepower and brand discipline without requiring a full-time hire.

At Digital Reference, our platform is built to elevate professionals through radical transparency and authenticity. We believe the most impactful work often happens behind the scenes—and fractional CMOs are perfect examples of that. These are professionals who build go-to-market engines, drive brand differentiation, and help founders find their marketing voice.

In this blog, we’re excited to introduce you to a curated group of Austin-based and Austin-adjacent fractional CMOs who are making things happen in Central Texas.

Our Methodology

We selected this group based on the following criteria:

• Location: Based in Austin or the greater Central Texas region (Round Rock, San Marcos, Cedar Park)
• Service Model: Currently active as a fractional, interim, or part-time Chief Marketing Officer
• Track Record: Demonstrated leadership experience with startups, growth-stage companies, or notable campaigns
• Professional Transparency: Maintains a LinkedIn or website that outlines services, philosophy, and past work
• Digital Reference Fit: Represents the values of visibility, credibility, and structured storytelling

This is not a list of job titles. It’s a collection of builders, advisors, and leaders redefining what marketing leadership looks like.

Meet the Fractional CMOs in Austin Making Things Happen

1. Kara Burney

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kara-burney-bb779464/

With a background in brand strategy and storytelling, Kara Burney brings clarity and cohesion to scaling startups. She works at the intersection of marketing strategy and narrative design—helping companies articulate not just what they do, but why it matters.

Why She Stands Out:

• Former marketing lead at content-focused SaaS and media companies
• Focuses on brand storytelling, customer journey mapping, and executive comms
• Helps teams build internal alignment around marketing strategy

Kara is the fractional CMO for founders who want to move from messaging chaos to brand clarity.

2. Andrew Smith

https://www.linkedin.com/in/picklenetwork/

A marketing innovator and community-builder, Andrew Smith takes a multidisciplinary approach to fractional CMO work. With a strong background in branding, growth marketing, and startup operations, he’s known for creating campaigns that resonate across channels.

Why He Stands Out:

• Co-founder of creative ventures and community platforms
• Skilled in brand development, demand gen, and experiential marketing
• Combines creative instincts with data-driven execution

Andrew is ideal for Austin brands that want a fractional CMO who thinks big and builds fast.

3. Vera Fischer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/verakfischer/

A seasoned executive and founder of 97 Degrees West, Vera Fischer provides fractional CMO services with a C-suite perspective. She has led marketing transformations across industries, focusing on clarity, alignment, and operational efficiency.

Why She Stands Out:

• Deep experience in agency leadership, B2B marketing, and organizational scaling
• Focused on marketing infrastructure, team enablement, and revenue alignment
• Works with clients in healthcare, education, tech, and professional services

Vera is a strategic powerhouse for companies looking to build a marketing engine that’s built to last.

Why Austin Is Perfect for Fractional Marketing Leadership

Austin has always thrived on flexibility, creativity, and cross-pollination. The city’s ecosystem is rich with accelerators, incubators, and founder-led businesses looking for senior talent that can plug in without the bureaucracy.

Here’s why fractional CMOs are on the rise in Austin:

• Startups and bootstrapped founders need executive marketing without long-term payroll
• Venture-backed firms want a fast-moving partner who can scale marketing teams from 0 to 1
• Creative and tech-driven businesses seek marketing leaders who understand both storytelling and structure
• The city’s strong network of consultants, freelancers, and growth hackers makes it ideal for fractional ecosystems

In short, Austin is a city of velocity—and fractional CMOs are perfectly positioned to keep up.

Digital Reference: Showcasing the Work Behind the Title

At Digital Reference, we’re changing how professionals are evaluated—not just by resumes or networks, but by verified outcomes. Our platform empowers fractional leaders to:

• Capture client testimonials and references in one trusted place
• Create structured portfolios to showcase expertise
• Build a transparent digital footprint that reflects their real impact

We believe that the most efficient talent ecosystems are those where trust is earned, not assumed. And our goal is to make those systems visible.

Final Thoughts: Austin’s CMOs Are Helping Brands Lead Loudly

From purpose-driven storytelling to sales-aligned strategy, Austin’s top fractional CMOs are shaping the growth trajectories of the region’s most exciting companies.

Our Featured Leaders:

• Kara Burney – Strategic Storytelling & Messaging Expert
• Andrew Smith – Brand Innovator & Growth Strategist
• Vera Fischer – Marketing Infrastructure Leader & Executive Advisor

These professionals aren’t just marketers—they’re problem solvers, builders, and embedded allies. If your company is ready to take the next step in brand clarity or go-to-market execution, start here.

And if you’re a fractional executive looking for a platform to document your impact and elevate your reputation, Digital Reference is built for you.

– The Digital Reference Team

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