Best Marketing Books in 2025 : The Growth Agency Edition

Being a CMO in 2025 isn’t just about knowing the latest marketing trends; it’s about mastering the art of leadership, building high-performing teams, and adopting a startup mindset that keeps your strategies fresh and agile. Here’s our updated list of the 12 best marketing books 2025 that will equip you with the tools and insights to crush your goals, inspire your team, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

#1 Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

There is no doubt why this is our first choice in our selection of best marketing books in 2025.

In a world drowning in noise, clear and compelling communication is a must superpower. Duhigg dives into the art of storytelling, effective messaging, and how to cut through the clutter. For CMOs, it’s about mastering the skill of communicating vision, values, and strategy—not just to your customers, but to your team and stakeholders. Implement these lessons to craft messages that move people to action and align your entire organization behind your marketing goals.

#2 The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Forget the hustle culture—Ferriss’s guide to lifestyle design is all about optimizing your time and focusing on what truly moves the needle. As a CMO, you’re juggling a million tasks, but this book shows you how to delegate, automate, and eliminate like a pro. Apply these principles to streamline your team’s workflow, cut out the noise, and zero in on high-impact activities. It’s not about working less; it’s about working smarter.

#3 Atomic Habits by James Clear

Success in marketing, just like in life, isn’t built overnight; it’s the result of small, consistent actions. Clear breaks down the science of habit formation into practical steps that you can implement immediately. For a CMO, this means fostering habits in your team that lead to innovation, consistency, and excellence. Whether it’s regular brainstorming sessions or a new way of tackling data, these tiny tweaks can lead to massive, positive shifts in your team’s output.

#4 The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

The role of a CMO is evolving—you’re not just a marketer; you’re a mini-CEO of your department. Ries’s approach to rapid testing, learning, and iterating is the perfect playbook for any CMO looking to adopt a lean mindset. Implement these strategies to run your marketing campaigns like a startup: experiment boldly, learn quickly, and pivot when necessary. It’s all about validating ideas early and often so that you’re always one step ahead of the competition.”The Lean Startup” is one of the best marketing books to read in 2025 for CMOs who want to master agility and innovation in their strategy.

#5 Made to Stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

CMOs are in the business of ideas, and this book shows you how to make them unforgettable. From crafting a viral campaign to pitching a game-changing strategy, “Made to Stick” dives into the psychology of what makes ideas resonate. Learn to tell stories that cut through the noise, using principles that ensure your message not only reaches your audience but stays with them long after the campaign ends. As one of the top marketing books of 2025, “Made to Stick” is essential for CMOs who want to create impactful and memorable campaigns.

#6 Drive by Daniel H. Pink

Motivating a team isn’t just about bonuses and perks; it’s about tapping into what truly drives people. Pink’s insights on autonomy, mastery, and purpose provide a roadmap for creating an environment where your team isn’t just clocking in—they’re engaged, inspired, and committed. As a CMO, use these strategies to align your team’s goals with the bigger picture, turning motivation from a buzzword into a daily reality.

#7 Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Navigating the delicate balance of being a boss who’s both respected and approachable is no easy feat. Scott’s “Radical Candor” is your guide to giving feedback that is both direct and kind—a crucial skill for any CMO leading a diverse team of creatives, data geeks, and strategists. Build a culture where feedback isn’t feared but welcomed, and watch your team’s performance—and morale—soar.

#8 Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

As a CMO, your role isn’t just about directing traffic—it’s about leading by example and creating a culture of trust and safety. Sinek’s book delves into why great leaders prioritize their teams above all else, and how this mindset can transform the dynamic of your department. When your team feels supported and valued, they’ll give their best, and that translates to better campaigns, happier clients, and a more cohesive brand message.

#9 Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Great CMOs know their audience inside and out, and this CMO book dives deep into the psychology of decision-making. Kahneman’s exploration of the two systems of thinking—fast, intuitive reactions versus slow, deliberate analysis—offers valuable insights for crafting campaigns that truly connect. Whether you’re tweaking a call-to-action or revamping a brand strategy, understanding the human mind is your ultimate marketing advantage.

#10 Measure What Matters by John Doerr

OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are more than just management buzzwords—they’re a powerful tool for alignment and execution. Doerr’s top marketing book provides a straightforward guide to setting goals that are not just ambitious but also actionable. As a CMO, use OKRs to keep your team laser-focused on what truly drives growth, ensuring that every campaign, every project, and every action is tied to clear, measurable outcomes.

#11 The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

In the fast-paced world of marketing, making sound decisions quickly is a must. Dobelli’s best marketing books 2025 is a cheat sheet for avoiding the common cognitive biases that can cloud judgment and lead to subpar strategies. For CMOs, mastering clear thinking means fewer missteps, more decisive action, and a sharper, more strategic approach to both everyday decisions and big-picture planning.

#12 Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans by Melanie Mitchell

AI isn’t just a futuristic concept—it’s here, and it’s reshaping the marketing landscape. Mitchell’s book demystifies AI, making it accessible and practical for leaders who need to understand its impact without getting bogged down in technical jargon. As a CMO, this is your guide to leveraging AI in your campaigns, from personalized content and predictive analytics to smarter ad targeting. Think of it as your new secret weapon for staying ahead of the curve.

Each of these CMO books offers a treasure trove of insights that can transform how you lead, inspire, and execute as a CMO in 2025. Whether it’s mastering communication, refining your leadership style, or harnessing the power of AI, these reads will equip you to not just navigate the challenges of the modern marketing world—but to redefine them.

Dive in our best marketing books to read in 2025, and let it be the year you elevate your game.

More into digital ressources than books ? We suggest you to check out the best podcasts & newsletters for CMOs suggested by Forbes !