Authentic Brand vs Chief Outsiders
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Fractional CMOs (2026). Last verified May 31, 2026.
The short answer
Chief Outsiders ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #2) for Founders needing fractional marketing leadership. The top choice for proven, enterprise-level marketing leadership due to its deep bench of vetted Fortune 500 CMOs.
At a glance
| Authentic Brand | Chief Outsiders | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best Fractional CMOs (2026) | #1 / The 11 Best Fractional CMOs (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.1 | 9.3 |
| Best for | Methodology-driven B2B growth | Enterprise-grade talent for mid-market |
| Pricing | $$$$ ($8,000 to $20,000/mo) | $$$$ ($10,000 to $25,000+/mo) |
| HQ | Minneapolis, USA | Houston, USA |
| Founded | 2017 | 2009 |
Authentic Brand
A top pick for its structured methodology and focus on building sustainable, in-house marketing teams.
www.authenticbrand.com/Chief Outsiders
The top choice for proven, enterprise-level marketing leadership due to its deep bench of vetted Fortune 500 CMOs.
www.chiefoutsiders.com/Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.