#marketing-leadership

#marketing-leadership

Jon Shanahan destroys the myth that founders make lousy employees. He co-founded Stryx, a men's cosmetics provider, and is now a marketing executive at TRX, the storied exercise equipment company. He has thrived in both roles. He joined TRX in late 2022 amid a post-Covid hangover and a stale legacy brand. Fast forward to late 2025, and TRX is refreshed and flourishing, thanks in part to Jon's entrepreneurial mindset.

Takeshi Numoto, Microsoft's chief marketing officer, and his marketing team will join the newly created organization, with Takeshi reporting directly to Althoff as CMO; Numoto will still also report directly to Nadella on all-up business models, planning, consumer marketing, and corporate brand and communications.

Clinch, the agentic AI platform for omnichannel campaign orchestration, today (25th September 2025) announced the appointment of Tariq Hassan, former chief marketing and customer experience officer of McDonald's, to its global Advisory Board. Hassan, one of the industry's most recognised marketing leaders, brings more than two decades of global marketing, communications, and brand leadership experience to Clinch. Most recently, he led all marketing efforts at McDonald's USA, including digital, media, CRM, brand content and engagement, and consumer insights.

Fanuele will support Shake Shack's marketing strategy by overseeing advertising, paid media, and insights and analytics and work alongside Steph So, chief growth officer, and Luke DeRouen, chief communications officer. Shake Shack has tested paid media programs in various markets, leading to positive results. The company's marketing will focus on setting Shake Shack apart from fast food competitors, by showcasing premium menu items and the brand's identity.

"I don't know what to think," one WPP client told Digiday on condition of anonymity. "I'm not sure it matters or how important the move is just yet."

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had to make as a marketing leader was learning to lead with the story, not the tactical plan. Early on, it's tempting to drive straight to strategy: Which campaigns should we run? Which channels should we optimize? But over time, I started to notice a pattern.