Fractional CMO vs Marketing Agency – which is better?

In two sentences

A Fractional CMO gives you senior direction on part-time terms, sets the plan, and ensures the right work is done in the right order. Agencies shine when you already have a plan and need hands to produce ads, content, and creative at pace.

Deep dive

Both options can work—just for different jobs. A Fractional CMO acts like your part-time marketing leader: clarifies positioning and offers, prioritises channels, builds the roadmap, and holds teams (internal or external) to KPIs. A Marketing Agency brings a bench of specialists—designers, copywriters, media buyers—to execute campaigns and assets at scale.

• Pick a Fractional CMO when you lack strategy, keep trying tactics without a plan, or need someone senior to align sales & marketing and stop waste.
• Pick an Agency when your strategy is set and you need reliable production: ads, content, SEO deliverables, video, web builds.
• Best of both: Fractional CMO leads strategy and prioritisation; the agency executes—giving you speed and control.

Typical setup in UK SMEs: Fractional CMO (1 day/week) sets goals and briefs → Agency delivers the work → Monthly review on pipeline, CPL/CPA, and next actions.

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