Fractional CMO India — senior marketing leadership without the ₹1Cr salary.
Plug in an operator-CMO for 2-4 days a month. I own strategy, performance, brand, marketplace and quick commerce as your accountable marketing head — across D2C, FMCG and consumer brands in India.
The full marketing function — not just one channel
Strategy & Operating Plan
Quarterly marketing operating plan, KPI tree from GMV to CAC, and the weekly cadence that holds the team to it.
Performance & Brand
Meta, Google, Amazon Ads, influencer and brand — one accountable spend plan, not three siloed agencies fighting each other.
Channel Mix
D2C, Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, modern trade — sequenced and budgeted to your stage and capital.
Team & Vendors
Hire, structure and review your marketing team and external agencies — and replace what isn't working.
Fractional CMO engagements (12-month window)
- ₹4Cr → ₹14Cr ARR for a wellness D2C brand in 11 months
- Cut marketing agency stack from 4 vendors to 1 in-house pod
- Reset Meta + Amazon Ads to hit blended ROAS 3.2 from 1.8
- Built first marketing team (8 people) for a ₹100Cr FMCG going D2C
FAQs about hiring a fractional CMO in India
What is a fractional CMO?
A senior marketing leader who plugs in part-time — typically 2-4 days a month — as the accountable head of marketing without the cost of a full-time CMO. Owns strategy, performance, brand, channel mix and operating cadence.
How much does a fractional CMO cost in India?
Senior fractional CMO retainers in India typically range from ₹1.5L to ₹5L per month, depending on scope, sector and working days. Equity-linked engagements are possible for early-stage D2C brands.
When should we hire a fractional CMO vs an agency?
Hire a fractional CMO when you need leadership and accountability across the whole marketing function — not just execution of one channel. Agencies are great for executing a defined playbook; a fractional CMO designs and owns that playbook.
What's the typical engagement length?
Most fractional CMO engagements run 6-12 months minimum, with monthly reviews. The first 90 days are strategy + reset; months 4+ are operating cadence and team-building.
Will you manage the team day-to-day?
Yes — I run weekly leadership reviews, monthly performance reviews and quarterly planning with the marketing team and founder. Day-to-day execution stays with your team or vendors; I hold them accountable.