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How to sell to VPs of marketing: A data鈥慴acked playbook for capturing marketing mindshare

August 26, 2025
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How to sell to VPs of marketing: A data鈥慴acked playbook for capturing marketing mindshare

Marketing leaders are the architects of brand, demand, and revenue growth. They live in campaign calendars, customer data, and creative briefs 鈥 and their inboxes reflect it. If your email blends into the noise, it鈥檚 gone.

An analysis of hundreds of thousands of vice president鈥憀evel marketing interactions in 2025 uncovered the best times to send, the campaign types that get replies, and the messaging frameworks that cut through.

Best and Worst Times to Email Marketing Leaders

When it comes to vice president of marketing outreach, early weekday mornings win. The data shows Tuesday at 1 a.m. generates a 19.99% adjusted open rate 鈥 but Monday at 6 a.m. is right behind it at 19.89%.

Late鈥憂ight weekend sends also hold their own, with Friday midnight performing better than midday weekday sends.

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Data graph showing the best vs. worst hours of the day to send emails to VPs of marketing.
Apollo.io


Actionable Takeaway: If you鈥檙e pitching a vice president of marketing, schedule for Tuesday at 1 a.m. or Monday at 6 a.m. And avoid Friday afternoons, where open rates can drop by as much as 42%.

Best Day of the Week for Marketing Leader Engagement

This analysis shows Tuesday is the standout day for marketing leader engagement, with Monday and Friday mornings close behind.

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Data chart showing the best days to reach VPs of Marketing.
Apollo.io


Actionable Takeaway: If you can鈥檛 get into the Monday or Tuesday morning window, aim for Friday early in the morning 鈥 catching marketing leaders before they head into weekend mode.

The highest鈥憆eply campaigns to vice presidents of marketing share three things:

  1. Timely competitive insight 鈥 delivering value before the prospect asks.
  2. Tailored positioning 鈥 referencing the company or vertical specifically.
  3. Clear, relevant call to action 鈥 one simple next step.
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Data chart showing the top campaign styles that drive marketing leader replies.
Apollo.io


Actionable Takeaway: Don鈥檛 mass鈥憇end product pitches. Instead, tailor campaigns to competitive triggers or timely marketing challenges.

Email Templates That VPs of Marketing Actually Respond To

1. Competitor Insight Introduction

  • When to use it: You鈥檝e spotted a competitor鈥檚 new campaign or initiative.
  • Why it works: Gives them strategic intel they can act on immediately.

Subject: Competitor moves you should know about

Hi {{first_name}},

I noticed [Competitor] launched [Initiative] recently. Based on similar launches, we鈥檝e seen companies gain [X% increase in leads / brand visibility].

We help marketing teams quickly assess competitor moves and pivot messaging to stay ahead.

Would you like me to share a quick snapshot of how your top competitors are positioning right now?

Best, 
[Your Name]

2. Marketing Strategy Collaboration

  • When to use it: You鈥檙e offering insights or opportunities aligned with their 2025 goals.
  • Why it works: Positions you as a partner, not a vendor.

Subject: Idea for {{company}}鈥檚 2025 marketing plan

Hi {{first_name}},

I鈥檝e been following {{company}}鈥檚 recent [campaign/product launch] and it鈥檚 clear your team is focused on [core marketing goal].

We鈥檝e helped brands in [industry] achieve [outcome] by [approach]. Given your upcoming initiatives, I think there鈥檚 strong potential for collaboration.

Would you be open to a 15鈥憁inute conversation to explore it?

Best, 
[Your Name]

What NOT to Do When Emailing VPs of Marketing

  • Send during low鈥慹ngagement windows like Friday afternoons.
  • Use vague subject lines like 鈥淨uick question鈥 with no context.
  • Load your email with multiple calls to action.
  • Write long, dense paragraphs that aren鈥檛 skimmable.
  • Skip personalization 鈥 they鈥檒l spot a mass send instantly.

Key Takeaways

  • Tuesday at 1 a.m. and Monday at 6 a.m. are your golden hours.
  • Friday afternoons are a reply graveyard.
  • Competitive insights and tailored campaigns drive the highest engagement.
  • Short, strategic, and relevant wins the marketing leader鈥檚 attention.

Data Methodology

This analysis is based on Apollo鈥檚 proprietary email engagement dataset covering hundreds of thousands of interactions with vice president鈥憀evel marketing executives in 2025. Engagement patterns were analyzed by time, day, and campaign type to surface actionable outreach strategies.

Ready to Reach VPs of Marketing the Smart Way?

Marketing leaders are bombarded with pitches 鈥 but the right timing, message, and targeting change everything.

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