Transforming Marketing Attribution and Accountability in the Digital Age With Brandon Rhoten

Brandon Rhoten is the Chief Marketing Officer at GroundTruth, an advertising platform that uses real-world location and purchase data to show how media drives store visits and revenue. As the former CMO at Wendy’s, Papa John’s, and Potbelly, Brandon was instrumental in building Wendy’s groundbreaking digital and social marketing programs, contributing to 40 consecutive quarters of growth for the brand. In addition to his executive experience, he is a tech investor, advisor, and recognized trailblazer in blending art and science to drive marketing ROI.

In this episode…

Marketing was supposed to get easier once everything went digital, yet many teams feel more overwhelmed than ever. With endless dashboards and touchpoints to untangle, proving what actually drives revenue has become its own full-time job. So in a world where every impression is technically “trackable,” why are so many companies still flying blind?

According to Brandon Rhoten, a longtime marketing leader known for marrying creativity with accountability, the real issue isn’t a lack of data; it’s that most organizations still treat marketing like a black box instead of a measurable driver of business results. He explains that the shift begins with embracing both sides of the craft — the art that earns attention and the science that proves impact. He points to everything from funnel complexity to outdated buying habits as reasons leaders still struggle with attribution. But when companies learn to connect media exposure to real-world behavior, the fog lifts. The bigger payoff, Brandon says, is a marketing function that’s finally seen as an investment rather than a cost.

In this episode of the Revenue Engine Podcast, host Alex Gluz is joined by Brandon Rhoten, Chief Marketing Officer at GroundTruth, to discuss how modern marketers can finally link advertising to tangible business outcomes. You’ll hear why attribution is still broken, how to rethink media through an omnichannel lens, and what it takes to align marketing with the CFO’s expectations. Brandon also shares practical advice on using AI to sharpen both strategy and creative execution.