The role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is rapidly becoming one of the most influential and fast-evolving positions in today’s business landscape. As organisations navigate new challenges, technological advancements, and shifting market demands, the role of the CMO is undergoing a significant transformation. To summarise these changes, today’s CMOs are more strategic, data-driven, and customer-centric than ever before. They play a pivotal role in shaping brand identity, driving growth, and positioning their organisations as market leaders.
Below are 15 influential CMOs whose vision, strategic thinking, and notable achievements will make them influential figures to watch in 2025.
1. Matthew Heath – Chief Marketing Officer, Invesco Ltd.
Matthew Heath leads marketing at Invesco, a global asset management firm, where he has successfully combined traditional marketing expertise with digital innovation. Heath has driven initiatives that significantly strengthened Invesco’s global brand recognition, particularly through digital marketing campaigns aimed at improving customer engagement. His forward-looking approach positions him as a key CMO to observe closely in 2025.
2. Eric Herzog – Chief Marketing Officer, Infinidat
Eric Herzog stands out for his exceptional leadership in marketing enterprise storage solutions at Infinidat. With extensive experience in the tech industry, Herzog is well-known for delivering impactful, customer-focused strategies. His thought leadership in areas such as data-driven storytelling and content marketing has consistently improved brand visibility, and he is expected to drive significant growth for Infinidat in the coming years.
3. Li Li Chua – Senior Director of Marketing APAC, Workiva
Li Li Chua’s role as Senior Director of Marketing for APAC at Workiva involves leading comprehensive strategies across diverse Asian markets. Her experience in regional marketing and leadership style have resulted in impressive growth in brand awareness and customer acquisition. Chua’s deep understanding of localisation and strategic communication uniquely positions her to influence marketing trends across the Asia-Pacific region in 2025.
4. Brett Chester – Chief Marketing Officer, Objective Corp
As the CMO of Objective Corp, Brett Chester has demonstrated considerable skill in transforming complex software solutions into compelling market narratives. His ability to simplify and effectively communicate value propositions has significantly driven customer engagement and market growth. Chester’s strategic marketing approach is likely to shape industry trends moving forward.
5. Cate Mills – APJ Marketing Director, Trellix
Cate Mills leads marketing efforts across the APJ region for Trellix, a cybersecurity innovator. Known for her expertise in creating robust cybersecurity marketing strategies, Mills has successfully strengthened Trellix’s position in a highly competitive industry. Her strategic insights and proactive approach in regional brand positioning make her an influential marketing leader to watch.
6. Imran Hussain – Director of Global Marketing Strategy, Insightec
Imran Hussain oversees global marketing strategy at Insightec, a healthcare technology company known for innovation. His strategic mindset and successful execution of global campaigns have significantly improved market penetration and brand recognition. Hussain’s ability to combine data-driven insights with impactful storytelling positions him prominently among marketing leaders in the healthcare sector.
7. Jason Winston – Senior Director of Marketing, WOW! Business
Jason Winston has been instrumental in transforming WOW! Business through creative brand strategies and customer-focused campaigns. His emphasis on delivering exceptional customer experiences and measurable business outcomes has contributed greatly to WOW!’s growing reputation. Winston’s continued leadership in marketing excellence will likely influence broader industry trends in customer engagement and retention.
8. Kelly Hopping – Chief Marketing Officer, Demandbase
Kelly Hopping, CMO at Demandbase, brings substantial expertise in B2B marketing, specifically in Account-Based Marketing (ABM). Under her leadership, Demandbase has strengthened its reputation as an industry leader by effectively leveraging personalised and targeted marketing strategies. Her focus on innovation and measurable results sets the stage for continued influence on B2B marketing practices in 2025.
9. Stefano Marrone – Fractional CMO, Siebert Financial
Stefano Marrone offers a unique perspective as a fractional CMO at Siebert Financial, focusing specifically on the financial services sector. His innovative, adaptable approach to marketing has been instrumental in improving brand relevance and client engagement. Marrone’s flexibility and strategic insights offer valuable lessons for marketers exploring fractional leadership roles in the future.
10. Lisa Ortner-Ghouze – Global Head of Marketing, Financial Markets & Sustainable Finance, Standard Chartered Bank
Lisa Ortner-Ghouze holds a prominent role in marketing financial products and sustainability initiatives at Standard Chartered Bank. Her contributions in promoting sustainable finance through impactful marketing campaigns have significantly elevated the bank’s global profile. Ortner-Ghouze’s strategic integration of sustainability and finance makes her a critical influencer in the future of marketing within the financial services industry.
11. Marian Lee – Chief Marketing Officer, Netflix
As the marketing chief for one of the planet’s most influential entertainment brands, Marian Lee‘s work shapes global conversations. She commands a multi-billion dollar budget, steering Netflix’s global campaigns, brand partnerships, and must-see experiential events. Her fan-focused marketing strategy is proving a masterstroke, not only boosting viewership but also supercharging the growth of Netflix’s burgeoning advertising arm.
12. Asmita Dubey – Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, L’Oréal
Asmita Dubey spearheads L’Oréal’s digital-first marketing evolution, cementing its role as a beauty industry leader. She is the architect behind the company’s “beauty tech” vision, utilising data-driven strategies and digital innovation to create unparalleled customer experiences. Dubey shapes L’Oréal’s global marketing efforts, with a sharp focus on e-commerce and authentic digital engagement, ensuring the brand remains at the cutting edge of the industry.
13. Frank Cooper III – Chief Marketing Officer, Visa
At a legacy brand like Visa, Frank Cooper has successfully created a purpose-driven strategy that extends beyond communications into tangible economic empowerment initiatives. He challenges the notion of purpose as a “soft” metric, demonstrating how it can serve as a core driver of brand strategy and business growth for a global financial institution. The roundtable discussion his work generates is clear: How can leaders move “brand purpose” from a buzzword into a measurable growth engine that informs strategy and inspires a global organisation?
14. Ariel Kelman – President and Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce
Having led marketing at the epicentre of the cloud wars, at AWS, Oracle, and now Salesforce, Ariel Kelman’s career offers a playbook on marketing complex B2B technology. His core philosophy is that marketing must orchestrate every moment of the customer journey, from the first ad impression to a support call or an AI-powered product suggestion. Kelman’s work sparks a critical conversation for every enterprise CMO: How do you break down marketing silos to exert influence across the entire customer experience, ensuring every single touchpoint is a coherent and valuable brand interaction? His data-driven yet customer-obsessed approach redefines the scope and responsibility of the modern CMO.
15. Mark Weinstein – Chief Marketing Officer, Hilton
Mark Weinstein’s work provides a powerful case study in repositioning a ubiquitous hospitality brand for the modern era. With the “Hilton. For the Stay” platform, he has shifted the marketing focus from the functional transaction of booking a room to the emotional core of the travel experience itself. His leadership is a key topic for discussions on making a legacy brand culturally relevant while championing human connection, underscoring the value of using data to understand the fundamental ‘why’ of consumer choice.
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Conclusion
These CMOs exemplify strategic vision, innovative leadership, and measurable business impact. As marketing continues to adapt to technological advances, sustainability concerns, and evolving customer expectations, these leaders are positioned to shape critical industry trends. Observing their approaches and insights will provide valuable lessons for marketers aiming to excel in a rapidly changing business landscape in 2025 and beyond.
The Ortus Club’s CMO Chats
The Ortus Club regularly hosts in-depth, one-on-one discussions with top CMOs around the world through its CMO Chats initiative. These insightful conversations provide senior executives and marketing leaders with exclusive perspectives, practical insights, and real-world examples of successful marketing strategies. By sharing the experiences and lessons learned by prominent CMOs, The Ortus Club helps foster knowledge-sharing among global marketing leaders, enabling them to better navigate the challenges of modern marketing leadership.