CMO Corner
Coverage of industry leaders from our journalists
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Hinge’s chief marketer on why community is more than a marketing channel
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Tamika Young explains why the dating app has donated millions to grassroots social groups.
By Chris Kelly • June 17, 2026 -
How the World Cup fuels US soccer leagues and their brand partners
The CMOs at Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League explain how they’re marketing around the tournament.
By Chris Kelly • June 17, 2026 -
KFC’s brand evolution looks to set the standard for fried chicken QSRs
Global CMO Valerie Kubizniak digs into plans that include a visual refresh as the chain works to reassert itself in a category it created.
By Chris Kelly • Updated June 15, 2026 -
Opinion
The problem for brands isn’t their marketing strategy — it’s their structure
Organizations that fail to deliver have often hired great talent into a broken system, writes Edmunds’ Alison Steinlauf Anziska.
By Alison Steinlauf Anziska • June 10, 2026 -
Q&A
How American Eagle is kicking off its deal with the new face of soccer
The campaign will run across social channels, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat, owned by the brand and the ambassador.
By Chris Kelly • June 10, 2026 -
Why Tropicana is rejuvenating its creative but keeping the same strategy
CMO Chris Tussing explains how its new campaign is a creative evolution and demonstrates what the brand has learned about effective media planning.
By Chris Kelly • June 8, 2026 -
Opinion
World Cup tests marketers’ ability to prove value of sponsorships
When every brand shows up in the same way, visibility becomes the baseline rather than the differentiator, writes Gartner’s Nicole Greene.
By Nicole Greene • June 4, 2026 -
Deep Dive
How brands are celebrating 250 years of America amid political polarization
Major marketers looking to engage U.S. consumers around the milestone must prove their bona fides or risk looking like bandwagoners.
By Chris Kelly • June 4, 2026 -
Hyundai’s CMO on how to make the most of an official World Cup sponsorship
The automaker’s U.S. marketing campaign around the tournament, “Next Starts Now,” spans TV ads, social media, experiential activations and more.
By Chris Kelly • June 1, 2026 -
Q&A
How Litter-Robot’s first CMO uses marketing to drive cat ownership
Hew Loyd discusses how parent company Whisker is positioning itself as a player in the connected home device category.
By Sara Karlovitch • May 21, 2026 -
Q&A
Zevia’s CMO on how the ‘radically real’ soda is stepping up marketing
The better-for-you beverage brand recently teamed with Cardi B and has doubled marketing spend as a percentage of revenue over the last two years.
By Chris Kelly • May 21, 2026 -
DoorDash taps ex-Amazon exec as CMO
Tim Castree will replace Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, who announced plans to depart the delivery platform in March.
By Chris Kelly • May 18, 2026 -
Foot Locker debuts year-round basketball brand platform under new CMO
Brett O’Brien, previously chief sports officer at PepsiCo, was appointed by the retailer after it was acquired by Dick’s Sporting Goods in September.
By Chris Kelly • May 12, 2026 -
AI remains a top priority for CMOs, but spending lags: Gartner
While 70% of CMOs say AI is a key focus for 2026, only 30% feel they have the infrastructure to achieve their goals.
By Sara Karlovitch • May 11, 2026 -
Q&A
Papa Johns’ CMO on driving cultural relevance with a ‘Toy Story’ tie-up
The chain revealed a TV spot produced by Pixar and shared details about Pizza Planet experiences in Los Angeles, London, Seoul and Madrid.
By Chris Kelly • Updated May 27, 2026 -
Fox’s refreshed pitch to advertisers connects fandoms to outcomes
CMO Puja Vohra details how the slim portfolio of sports, news and entertainment supports a new “Turn Passion into Performance” tagline.
By Chris Kelly • May 5, 2026 -
How Qualcomm is building an iconic consumer brand for the AI era
CMO Don McGuire details the tech giant’s work to develop consumer brand Snapdragon, which culminates in a new campaign by 72andSunny.
By Chris Kelly • May 4, 2026 -
Ford CMO on bringing American values to life for nation’s 250th birthday
Global CMO Lisa Materazzo explains how the automaker is looking to shift the tone of the marketing world from big and loud to action oriented.
By Chris Kelly • May 1, 2026 -
Q&A
Carter’s CMO on evolving marketing by pairing heritage with progress
The first creative under Global CMO Sarah Crockett captures a universal truth of youth sports: Parents around the world will eventually shout “Wrong goal!”
By Chris Kelly • April 30, 2026 -
CMOs built up CEO trust. Now they must prove they can drive growth.
While CEOs are increasingly confident in the CMO’s understanding of their company’s finances, overall CEO faith in the CMO role has declined to 43%.
By Chris Kelly • April 28, 2026 -
Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer
The former CMO at companies including Burger King and Activision Blizzard takes a role last held by longtime brand marketer Chris Brandt.
By Chris Kelly • April 27, 2026 -
Deep Dive
What marketers need to know as branded films return to screens
E.l.f., Garage Beer and Texas Pete executives dig into the concerns and opportunities around a resurgent trend in long-form content.
By Chris Kelly • April 23, 2026 -
How Powerade’s World Cup campaign attempts to break through a crowded field
Forthcoming social content features everyday athletes and up-and-coming international stars in Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Brazil’s Rodrygo Goes.
By Chris Kelly • April 23, 2026 -
Q&A
How Nestlé’s US CMO keeps tabs on changing consumer tastes
Vicki Felker discusses launching the CPG giant’s first at-home condiment brand and how the brand has increased its digital and social investment.
By Peter Adams • April 22, 2026 -
Burger King returns to ‘Star Wars’ galaxy as turnaround push endures
CMO Joel Yashinsky explains how a tie-up with “The Mandalorian and Grogu” builds on efforts that have looked to make the chain more guest-centric.
By Chris Kelly • April 21, 2026