"Never before has the CMO position been more complex-or more essential to driving business results. The mark of success for any chief marketing officer is their impact on the long-term trajectory of a beloved brand. So, what does that look like in a year as chaotic as 2025, where there's been on-again, off-again tariffs, massive holding company mergers, and the continued rise of AI across the board?"
"I reached out to CMOs from Hinge, McDonald's, Crayola, State Farm, and Kraft Heinz, five marketing leaders operating at the top of their game, navigating the chaos, and getting results. We talked about what lessons they've learned from the past year, issues they'll be facing in the coming year, and what they expect to be the biggest shift marketers and brands can expect in 2026."
CMOs from Hinge, McDonald's, Crayola, State Farm, and Kraft Heinz navigated 2025's volatility by prioritizing long-term brand trajectory while managing immediate disruptions. The year brought on-again, off-again tariffs, large holding-company mergers, and rapid expansion of AI capabilities, creating operational and strategic complexity. Successful marketing leaders balanced short-term performance demands with investments in brand health, data, and AI-enabled capabilities. Anticipated challenges for 2026 include integrating AI responsibly, adapting to changing regulatory and trade environments, and aligning organizational structures after mergers. Impact on a beloved brand remains the primary measure of CMO success and business influence.
Read at Fast Company
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