Wawa appoints former General Mills marketer as CMO

Doug Martin served the CPG brand for nearly two decades, most recently as its chief marketer, and joins Wawa in the middle of an expansion phase.

By Jessica Loder • Sept. 17, 2025

KFC hires Wingstop marketer as CMO to fire up comeback plan

Melissa Cash takes over at the Yum chain for Catherine Tan-Gillespie, who was promoted to president in April.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 15, 2025

How JCPenney is preparing for the holidays with laugh-out-loud deals

Marketing chief Marisa Thalberg discussed how marketers can engage holiday shoppers amid economic uncertainty.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 12, 2025

American Eagle’s celebrity marketing drew outcry — and new customers

The brand defended its controversial ads with Sydney Sweeney, claiming the campaign contributed to “unprecedented” customer acquisition.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 4, 2025

Why Checkers and Rally’s are keeping the pedal to the metal on value

CMO Scott Johnson explains how the sister chains built on a brand platform created by Partners + Napier via a partnership with rapper GloRilla.

By Chris Kelly • Sept. 4, 2025

How Celsius is building on brand campaign success with college football

CMO Kyle Watson explains how the energy drink is stepping up NIL efforts as part of a “Live. Fit. Go” effort that kicked off in June.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 27, 2025

Applebee’s appoints marketing, operating chiefs

Following a strong Q2, Dine Brands will bring on Michelle Chin as CMO and Jerrold Wong as COO to extend the chain’s recent successes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 26, 2025

BetMGM’s CMO on how its brand repositioning unites gaming, entertainment

To separate from the pack, the sports-betting platform is launching a Las Vegas-inspired brand refresh with ads starring Jon Hamm.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 26, 2025

Crocs appoints 2 new CMOs to level up creative strategy: WWD

Crocs and Heydude are getting new marketing chiefs as they double down on storytelling, with the latter looking to build on a brand awareness bump.

By Peter Adams • Aug. 18, 2025

How Applebee’s sharper marketing turned around sales ahead of NFL season

The casual dining chain recently achieved positive same-store sales growth for the first time in two years, Dine Brands CEO John Peyton explains.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 18, 2025

How to win back-to-school marketing as American Eagle’s big bet blows up

Though spending forecasts are bleak, value-focused messaging and smart social media plays could help brands transcend the turbulence. 

By Jessica Hammers • Aug. 12, 2025

How Domino’s new ads hit at fast food burger chains in fight over value

New spots visualize how a slice of pizza stacks up to a similarly priced slice of a burger to boost a long-standing deal and reach value-focused consumers.

By Chris Kelly • Aug. 4, 2025

Don’t hold the pickles: Sonic’s CMO on going all-in on dining trend

CMO Ryan Dickerson discusses a Grillo’s partnership and ad shoot that involved over 2,000 real pickles as briny snacks win Gen Z’s favor.

By Peter Adams • July 17, 2025

Inside US Bank’s ad integration with Netflix’s ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

CMO Michael Lacorazza explains how teaming with the Adam Sandler sequel and production company Happy Madison helps the bank reach consumers.

By Chris Kelly • July 16, 2025

Why JanSport revived its cringeworthy back-to-school ads to reach Gen Z

The backpack maker’s TikTok-focused effort returns for a second year after an initial run led to the brand’s highest grossing sales day in history.

By Jessica Hammers • July 15, 2025

How State Farm is stepping up its gaming-focused reality series

The brand is boosting its decade-long investment in gaming by bringing new talent and improved production to the fourth season of “Gamerhood.”

By Chris Kelly • July 9, 2025

How CMOs tackled challenges in H1 2025 — and what they must do next

Already beleaguered CMOs are being forced to be more agile than ever in the face of a new round of challenges like trade wars and artificial intelligence.

By Chris Kelly • July 8, 2025

7 successful marketing campaigns that met 2025’s chaos with determination

As marketers rushed to respond to new tariffs, outside-the-box brand refreshes, classic TV ads and other tactics helped set them apart.

By Peter Adams , Jessica Hammers • July 8, 2025

Seventh Generation hires CMO who helped build Kinder brand in US

Shalini Stansberry is focused on continuing to bring new consumers to Seventh Generation after winning Gen Z’s favor at Kinder Snacking. 

By Peter Adams • June 30, 2025

Fabletics names Vans vet chief marketing officer

Carly Gomez has been promoted to the position, while Meera Bhatia’s chief operating officer role has been expanded to also include president.

By Howard Ruben • June 25, 2025

How Coca-Cola’s marketing transformation led to new Smartwater campaign

The brand reteamed with Jennifer Aniston, riffing on how the pair “were never on a break” — a reference to an iconic moment on “Friends.”

By Chris Kelly • June 17, 2025

Can Acxiom and Snowflake break the data black box where others failed?

The need for privacy-safe identity resolution is one of Acxiom parent IPG's “big bets,” even in the wake of Google's decision to keep third-party cookies.

By Chris Kelly • June 15, 2025

Peloton names fourth CMO in 5 years as turbulence persists

With past experience at Apple, Amazon and Netflix, Megan Imbres’ background aligns with how Peloton is looking to grow its business.

By Peter Adams • June 13, 2025

Airbnb names new CMO on tails of major platform overhaul

Former Meta and Apple executive Rebecca Van Dyck is taking the reins as the company pushes further into travel services and experiences.

By Peter Adams • June 6, 2025

Equinox names new CMO to grow luxury fitness chain’s brand awareness

The brand is looking to boost membership acquisition and loyalty amid stiffer competition and plans to open dozens of new locations.

By Peter Adams • June 5, 2025