Last night, I had attended the Philadelphia Ad Club’s Inside the C-Suite: CMO Series, featuring Eileen Diskin, CMO of Comcast Business. The event was held at the stunning Comcast Technology Center—if you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit. The meeting space was sleek and spacious, easily holding over 100 people, with an adjacent bar area that was great for food, drinks, and networking. The fireside chat was moderated by John Stanley, CEO & Founder of MOD Worldwide (also the event sponsor—shout out for the brass knuckles coffee mug!).
Eileen’s Journey: From Sprout to Xfinity to B2B Powerhouse
Eileen’s marketing career spans more than two decades, and she’s been with Comcast for 23 years. She began her career in Seattle with ABC and later worked for Disney in LA. Over the years, she’s moved across the consumer and business spectrum, launching the Sprout brand, working on Xfinity, and now leading the charge at Comcast Business.
Her current role is all about transformation, modernizing a brand that once felt like the “old cable business” and injecting it with new energy, purpose, and customer focus. She was brought in not just to lead marketing—but to change the culture.
“How do you change culture? It’s how you treat people. Use humor. Don’t take yourself too seriously while still getting the job done. It’s balance between humility and high performance.” Eileen nailed it.
Her Leadership Ethos: Grit, Boldness, and No BS
One of the things that stood out most was her authenticity. She’s direct, warm, and unafraid to “call BS” when needed but she balances that with empathy and gratitude. She constantly emphasized recognizing others, asking questions, and staying curious.
She referenced Angela Duckworth’s book Grit—highlighting that passion and perseverance matter more than raw talent. That theme came up again and again: resilience, working hard, and being bold.
“Don’t overthink decisions. Raise your hand. Ask why. Take risks.”
Her advice for marketing leaders? Know your purpose. It’s your rally cry. She even brought in an agency to help her team define theirs; something more CMOs should consider.
Bold Branding, Big Moves
Eileen talked about the “Powering Possibilities” platform that anchors Comcast Business’ brand. It’s about understanding what customers are trying to achieve—then delivering solutions with a human touch. And she means that literally. Everything is about customer experience, collaboration, and helping businesses succeed.
She showed a new TV commercial that positions Comcast Business more like a tech brand (think Microsoft), with elevated storytelling and human connection at the core.
Partnerships also play a key role, particularly their long-term PGA Championship deal, which runs through 2030. It’s a way to reach key decision-makers (COOs, CTOs, procurement heads) on a big stage. She uses a hybrid of big and small agencies, depending on the challenge. Agility is key, and her partners must be willing to “get in the trenches.”
Important Mentors
Her mentors have played a defining role in shaping her values and leadership style. Her father was the first, raising her as the only girl among brothers, he never treated her differently and instilled in her a belief that she could achieve anything. He led by example, speaking kindly of others and emphasizing integrity above all else. Later in her career, Dave Watson, CEO of the cable division, inspired her with his calm confidence and strategic vision, while Greg Butz taught her the importance of structure and systems, showing her how to build a hierarchical model that could scale with success. Each mentor left a lasting imprint, collectively guiding her to become a leader grounded in fairness, discipline, and respect.
On AI: Useful, But Not Replacing the Human Touch
Eileen had a pragmatic take on AI. Comcast has been using AI-powered tools for years—especially for personalized marketing, messaging, and research. Everyone across the org is getting trained.
But she’s clear: AI won’t replace human qualitative research. Maybe some quantitative work, sure. But empathy and nuance still matter, especially in understanding customers.
What’s Next for Comcast Business?
Big things ahead. There’s a massive reorg underway to support a new operating model. They’re focused on new product solutions, secure networking, and wireless connectivity as backup for internet outages.
And they’re on track to end the year with the highest EBITDA growth ever.
Data + Creativity = Superpower
Eileen made a strong case for combining data-driven decision-making with bold creativity. She’s a creative thinker at heart, but she’s also all about the numbers. That mix is what gives her team the edge.
A Few Fun Eileen Facts:
- No caffeine. Just green smoothies.
- Aisle seat > window seat.
- No small talk.
- Last book read: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.
- Hidden talent: Interior design.
- Always been disciplined with time.
- Former runner who’s back at it. She’s done the Broad Street Run and the Philly Half Marathon.
She told a great story about her first Broad Street Run. Her husband and daughter missed the train and couldn’t see her finish. They missed her Philly Half Marathon too. But then, at her next race, they surprised her and that gave her the boost she needed to keep going.
“In work, just like in running, sometimes you need that extra boost too.”
Final Thought: Be Yourself and Be Bold
Her walk-up song? “These Are the Days” by Natalie Merchant. Fitting. Eileen made it clear that leadership isn’t about ego—it’s about purpose, integrity, empathy, and grit. And about showing up boldly, authentically, and with a clear sense of what you’re building.
This event was a reminder of how much great leadership can energize not just a team—but an entire brand. Thanks to the Philly Ad Club, MOD Worldwide, and of course, Eileen Diskin, for an inspiring and energizing night.
