Next Level CRM Strategy and Leadership

CR(M)BA Plus takes Core content to the next level with more MBA frameworks explained in a CRM context. Access to a Room With a View gives you perspectives from a wide range of guest lecturers. This is then supplemented with time management and self development materials

Modules

CRM’s Role in Sustainable Growth and Retention  

CRMs role in Sustainable Growth and Retention dissects CRM’s growth equation: balancing customer acquisition with retention. A 5 percent retention lift can add 25-95 percent more profit, yet brands still lose roughly half their buyers, so acquisition can’t pause. The module unpacks Double-Jeopardy Law, leaky-bucket versus flywheel models, and cases such as Amazon Prime, Netflix and HubSpot that turn loyalty into low-cost referrals. Outcome: a data-driven playbook—metrics, spend guidelines and CRM tactics—that plugs churn while keeping the funnel full. 

Designing CRM Strategy Around the Customer  

The next module introduces the DEPTH framework—a five-pillar lens that moves CRM beyond isolated tools into a coherent growth strategy.  

You’ll learn how Data can flag hidden intent , why onboarding must reflect the customer’s prior Environment , how motivated People inside the business unlock martech’s value, where unused Technology turns into shelf-ware, and how a personal, Human touch that converts loyalty into advocacy. Each story becomes a guidepost: self-assessment check-lists, design prompts, and practical tactics that let you diagnose weaknesses, deepen relationships, and turn DEPTH into a repeatable blueprint for measurable CRM impact. 

Turning Data into Loyalty 

Turning Data into Loyalty tackles how to turn customer data into lasting loyalty—and why strategy is the missing link. First-party data now fuels success, yet most brands only scratch the surface of what they collect. This module reframes data as an active growth asset—not just a compliance task. It introduces the concept of a CRM-ready data strategy: a structured plan to collect, connect, and activate the right data in service of personalisation, lifecycle journeys, and measurable value. Expect practical tools like the Data Flywheel and Minimum Viable Data, plus a roadmap to avoid common pitfalls and build segmentation, automation, and loyalty on a smarter foundation. 

Platforms as enablers of customer value 

Platforms as Enablers of Customer Value explores the CRM platform’s role as the engine of choice in your martech stack. It unpacks how to audit your current ecosystem—what tools you have, what they actually do, and where the gaps lie. You’ll learn how CRM fits within the broader marketing architecture, how to run a focused RFP that prioritises business outcomes over tech features, and how to structure efficient marketing operations across teams. Most importantly, the module returns to data: why doubling down on clean, connected, and consented data is the real unlock for platform value, not just system integration. 

Optichannel CRM: Orchestrating Seamless Customer Journeys  

We dive into Opti-channel CRM—the art and science of orchestrating seamless, personalised customer journeys across the right channels, not all channels. You’ll learn how to map integrated experiences that reflect real customer behaviour, apply the Opti-channel CRM framework, and use analytics to boost channel effectiveness. Along the way, we’ll explore journey mapping, assess your organisation’s omnichannel maturity, and introduce practical tools to prioritise channels that truly move the needle. 

Applying Behavioural Insight to CRM  

Module 6 shows how to elevate CRM by applying behavioural insight to customer journeys. It explores the psychological drivers behind decision-making and how subtle nudges can unlock big improvements in engagement and loyalty. You'll learn how to integrate behavioural science into CRM strategy, apply frameworks like MINDSPACE, and use the Behavioural Design Canvas to craft smarter, more persuasive communications—plus measure what actually works through real-world case studies and expert input. 

Demonstrating ROI Through Customer Metrics   

Next, we focus on proving the value of CRM through meaningful, customer-centric metrics. You'll learn how to communicate CRM’s impact in financial and strategic terms—moving beyond vanity KPIs to metrics that truly matter. This includes tools like the CRM ROI Measurement Canvas, cohort analysis, and a Balanced Scorecard adapted for CRM. By the end, you'll be equipped to articulate performance clearly to senior stakeholders and make data-driven decisions that drive long-term profitability. 

CRM as a Loyalty Accelerator   

CRM acts as a loyalty accelerator explores moving customers from passive buyers to active brand advocates. You’ll unpack what truly drives loyalty today—hint: it’s not just points, but relevancy and emotional connection. The module introduces updated frameworks like the Loyalty Ladder, the Advocacy Index, and Oliver Wyman’s Future of Loyalty model. You’ll also learn to assess programme performance with the Loyalty Program Health Check, and use CRM to fuel retention, growth, and long-term advocacy. 

The Future of CRM & AI-Powered Personalization 

The final module looks ahead to the future of CRM, where AI-powered personalisation reshapes how brands connect with customers. You'll explore the rise of intelligent automation, the shift toward agentic AI, and how to build a strategic roadmap for implementing AI in CRM. The module also introduces tools to assess impact and manage ethical risks—ensuring your AI initiatives enhance trust, relevance, and long-term value. It’s not just about what AI can do, but how to use it responsibly to future-proof your CRM strategy. 


 

Room With a View

Room With a View is where key brand, agency and solution provider perspectives are shared: unfiltered views from genuine experts. Learn from brands such Tesco Media, Autotrader, WeRoad and Nectar. Some of the smartest agency strategists share their perspective as well thought leaders from solution providers.

Learning Experience

What's included in CR(M)BA Plus

  • All CR(M)BA Core content

  • MBA frameworks tailored to CRM

  • Access to brand, strategy and technology perspectives

  • Time management and self development content

  • Physical copies of In Pursuit of The Trivial and a title from the School of Life

  • Launching January 2026

Discover your potential, starting today

Gianfranco Cuzziol

Chief Curator

From Astrophysics to CRM; from Disney to Aesop, from brand to agency and back again.

Perspectives

The CR(M)BA is fortunate to have so many experienced practitioners bring their knowledge to the course.*

Listed in alphabetical order so as not to offend:

Margarida Batista

Omnichannel Operations Lead - Grünenthal

At the intersection of strategy and action, I lead Grünenthal Group's omnichannel operations for UKINOR, with a mission to transform healthcare communication. Margarida is driven by the belief that powerful change happens when innovative thinking meets real-world execution, and that’s exactly where I thrive!

Pietro Cammerini

Co-Founder and CEO - Merx

Pietro is the Co-Founder & CEO of Merx. He has 10+ years in consumer and retail, previously leading digital commerce at Accenture UK and helping scale a start-up from 20 to 200 people. After seeing how leading brands struggled to build direct, personal relationships with customers, he founded Merx to turn one-way CRM into two-way WhatsApp conversations powered by conversational AI. Italian in London and an INSEAD MBA, he’s a product-minded tech geek at heart.

Simone Cesco

Head of Loyalty - TUI

Simone is currently leading the development of TUI’s new loyalty programme. Previously Head of Brand and Programme for Nectar, the UK’s largest coalition loyalty scheme, he led its transformation into a digital-first platform overseeing brand, lifecycle management, proposition, partner marketing and digital engagement strategies. With extensive experience across loyalty, data, customer strategy, and personalisation, Simone focuses on creating insight-led programmes that strengthen customer relationships, enhance brand equity and deliver measurable commercial impact.

Florian Clemens

Director Strategy and Measurement - Tesco Media

Florian leads Tesco Media’s long-term growth strategy, shaping its Brand and Performance propositions and overseeing client measurement. With more than a decade in Retail Media he specialises in building growth strategies and measurement frameworks that help retailers and brands monetise data, demonstrate ROI, and create lasting competitive advantage.

Mike Dando

Founder - In The Mind

Helping brands connect to minds that matter

StJohn "Singe" Deakins

CEO and Co-Founder - DataSapien

Working with brands to deliver the world's First Personal-Edge-AI Platform: enabling brands to easily upgrade existing customer apps with AI and AI agents

Gavin Hilton

Director Customer Retention

I help brands grow by getting closer to their customers, using data, insight and common sense to drive better marketing decisions. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with major UK corporates across financial services, retail, gambling, and beyond. From launching the first contactless credit cards to building CRM programmes that deliver millions in revenue, my focus has always been the same: making marketing work harder by understanding how people behave, and why.

Flavio Adriano Iervolino

Senior CRM Manager - WeRoad

End-to-end CRM expertise: strategy, execution, and optimization with the ability to bridge marketing, product, tech and data to deliver measurable impact.

Abhineet Kesarwani

Regional Director Customer Value - Lyca Mobile

Commercial & Transformation Leader driving Strategic B2B & B2C Growth through Marketing, CRM & Digital Product Innovation

Nick King

Insights Director - Autotrader

A consumer psychologist and expert in digital media and marketing, possessing the experience to analyse and interpret trends in consumer adoption of technology and develop strategies for customer acquisition and retention through digital and offline channels Nick is also a visiting lecturer in consumer psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge.

Ryan Mancino

Head of Data and Analytics - WeRoad

An experienced Statistical Analyst by trade, with a background spanning various industries. His main focus is on overall, full-cycle data strategy and application

Nessa O'Gorman

Director Product Management - Expedia

Nessa creates Products & Experiences that make people’s lives better. She specializes in joined-up strategic product thinking on innovation to transform business outcomes. Nessa set a vision, define a roadmap, and deliver high-profile E2E strategic initiatives to unlock maximum impact. Nessa is also a a High Performance Wellness Coach and founder of Nourish Route

Lucy Spooner

Head of Data & Analytics - Fortnum & Mason

CRM / Insight / Data Specialist - through the narrative of analytics understanding customers to drive business change

Simon Spyer

Founder - Data Agents

Simon helps marketers and business leaders cut through the noise around AI to unlock real commercial impact. As CEO of Data Agents, he’s building a new kind of marketing partner - one that blends human intelligence with automation to make marketing smarter, faster and more effective. With a background leading global data-driven performance practices, Simon’s work sits at the intersection of creativity, technology and customer understanding. His mission is simple: to make marketing work better by making it more intelligent.

Pauline van Dongen - Deckers

Owner - The Loyalty Matchmaker

My approach is part data-driven precision, part tech-savvy innovation, and part deep-dive into consumer behavior. It’s a combination of insights that keeps projects dynamic, impactful and refreshingly human. :-)

Chris Whitson

C0 Founder Strategy Partner - MW London

Chris is a truly integrated strategist with 25 years’ experience. He is passionate about helping businesses create long lasting, commercially successful relationships with their customers and clients. He is passionate about the connection between brand purpose and customer experience and works with clients to help them embed their purpose through every element of their customer proposition. Through his career he has launched agencies, built agencies and run strategy teams for large networks, giving him deep experience of the agency landscape and how it can best serve its clients.

John Willshire

Founder - Smithery

John is the founder of Smithery, an independent Strategic Design Practice established in London in 2011. Smithery helps organisations take an active role in shaping their futures as they look out over an uncertain landscape.

* The list of contributors may vary from time to time