• by Tony Silber , Staff Writer, February 1, 2022

Forbestoday announced that Seth Matlins, the former CMO of Live Nation and executive vice president of cultural strategy and insights at the Hollywood marketing agency 160Over90, has been named managing director of the Forbes CMO Network.

In his role — a new position at Forbes — Matlins will be charged with overseeing Forbes’ editorial, content, programming strategy and development for one of the most influential communities of marketers globally. The Forbes marketing portfolio includes the annual CMO Summits, the World’s Most Influential CMOs list, the CMO Next list, which honors up-and-comers, and signature events at Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. It also includes various editorial initiatives.

Matlins most recently was at 160Over90, a unit of the powerhouse Hollywood agency Endeavor. He has spent the past 25+ years in and advising C-suite executives of some of the most global iconic brands. Matlins, Forbes said in a press release, is a non-traditional editorial hire, but uniquely suited for evolving and driving the growth of the company's cornerstone.

“The Forbes CMO Network has become the definitive resource for CMOs and other business decision-makers in today’s complex marketing landscape,” Forbes Chief Content Officer Randall Lane said in the press release. “Seth’s own experience in the top marketer’s seat brings incredible value to what we’re building and the type of value we’re providing to the marketing community. I look forward to seeing where Seth takes us next.”

Matlins will play a pivotal role in programming, curating content and actively engaging with the CMO network. He said his experience on the agency and client sides of the business give him a valuable perspective on the issues facing brands and marketers.

“With the shortest tenure of any C-suite position, we think the CMO Community needs an ‘agent’ now more than ever who can represent and evangelize their value-creation role inside their enterprises. I look forward to building on everything Forbes has done over the past decade to bring new opportunities forward that will feed, inspire, provoke and celebrate the CMO’s success,” he said.

ForbesChief Operating Officer Jessica Sibley described Matlins as one of the world’s most strategic marketing minds, someone who will build new initiatives and drive value for the network. “Our CMO Network has become the top destination for marketers to come together, have a dialogue, celebrate each other, develop solutions and create change,” she said.

At Endeavor’s 160over90 until December 2021, Matlins oversaw the agency’s strategic planning, cultural insights, purpose-driven marketing and entertainment marketing practices. He also sat on Endeavor's DEI board of advisors. Before Live Nation, Matlins founded the marketing practice for legendary Hollywood agency CAA, where he led client strategy, providing brand and business building counsel to top brands. Prior to CAA, he was president of Rock the Vote.

Forbes recently announced plans to go public through a business combination with Magnum Opus (NYSE: OPA), a special-purpose acquisition company. The merger and IPO is expected to close in the first quarter.