Linda Orton is the global Chief Marketing Officer at Alvarez & Marsal, a 5,000 person, 55 office, management consulting firm. She had a long career in the legal marketing industry before taking this role. Linda is a woman who wows because she has given back to the industry in many ways, including through speaking and writing. Learn more about her.
Why did you choose your career?
I choose professional services marketing after realizing I loved the business of the law, the technology around the marketing and everything creative that went along with storytelling. Mostly, I loved helping lawyers, accountants and consultants accomplish their business goals and better communicate their expertise.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was from my former boss, mentor and dear friend Joanne Ollman. I worked for her in 1988, and she told me “you don’t have to always know all the answers; learn how to ask the right questions and listen.”
What has been a key to your success?
A few keys to success as a global CMO of a 5,000 person firm are to listen well, earn respect and connect the dots for our leaders beyond the scope of marketing and business development. I love learning about the business and the services of our MDs and how my team can help them best accomplish their goals, whether it’s providing better client service or launching a new offering.