August is usually quiet in marketing circles. This year? Far from it. The last month saw an extraordinary volume of new hires, promotions, and CEO appointments that will shape global marketing strategies for the months ahead. Here’s a snapshot of the brands, CMOs, and trends you need to know about.

Top New Marketing Hires

Even in the dog days of summer, companies kept their growth engines running. These appointments represent immediate opportunities for agencies and marketing tech providers, as new leaders review strategy, agencies, and technology stacks. Key hires at some of the world’s largest brands include:

• BMW Group US, Leigh Moynihan, Vice President of Marketing, North America
• Versace, Jodie Chan, VP of Marketing and Communications, North America
• Culture Amp, Paige O'Neill, Chief Marketing Officer
• Typeform, Malinda Sandman, Global Vice President of Marketing
• Petco, Felipe Zardo, SVP, Digital & Marketing
• McAfee, Tim Johnson, VP Marketing, Engagement & Retention
• Proofpoint, Hannah Grap, Senior VP of Corporate Marketing & Communications
• Smoothie King, Ashley Tirone, VP of Brand Marketing
• Bodycote, Katelyn DeVan, VP of Global Marketing
• LoanCare, Sarah Rice, VP of Marketing

Also moved were leaders at People Inc., M-Files, TAG – The Aspen Group, Intrepid Travel, Circle, SharkNinja, and Aptean.

Promotions Driving Strategic Change

Internal talent is stepping up across global brands, signaling potential shifts in budgets, strategy, and external partnerships:

• Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, Alexsandra Rem, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer
• Healogics, Leslie Niblock, Chief Marketing Officer
• BeyondTrust, Mike Puterbaugh, Chief Marketing Officer
• Bank OZK, Jon Vickers, Senior Vice President Marketing
• Wegmans Food Markets, Erica Tickle, Senior Vice President Marketing & Digital Growth
• SailPoint, Jaishree Subramania, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing
• Delinea, Jayson Gehri, Vice President Marketing
• Gibson Brands, Sterling Doak, Vice President Marketing

Promotions like these often indicate a renewed focus on brand positioning, campaigns, and agency collaboration.

CEO Changes – Strategic Marketing Directions Ahead

Leadership changes at the top are set to impact global marketing plans, tech stacks, and agency relationships:

• GXO Logistics, Patrick Kelleher, CEO
• Ben & Jerry’s, Jochanan Senf, CEO
• Athleta, Maggie Gauger, President & CEO
• Club Car, Craig Scanlon, President & CEO
• DHL Supply Chain Europe, Rainer Haag, CEO
• O2 Daisy, Jo Bertam, CEO
• Pizza Pilgrims, Gavin Smith, CEO

Every CEO change is an opportunity for marketing agencies and tech providers to offer fresh perspectives and support the execution of new strategies.

Funding Signals = Increased Marketing Budgets

August also brought a wave of companies receiving funding or expanding headcount, often translating into bigger marketing spends:

• 254 funded companies (potential marketing growth opportunities)
• 1,205 companies increasing headcount (sign of scaling teams and campaigns)

Sector Insights & Key Conversations

Our research team spent the summer diving into the marketing strategies and leadership of some key target sectors including:

• Global Data Hosting Companies: 90 companies profiled
• Global Airlines: 163 companies profiled
• Global & US Tourism Boards: 198 companies profiled

Tracking these sectors gives agencies a heads-up on where new marketing campaigns, partnerships, and tech adoption are likely.

Honch’s Essential Insights – August 2025

Honch’s continuous tracking reveals opportunities to engage marketing decision-makers at the right moment:

• New Marketing Hires & Promotions: Fresh leaders reviewing strategy
• CEO Appointments: Companies recalibrating marketing vision and tech
• Funding & Growth Signals: Identify companies likely to expand marketing spend
• Sector Activity: Target fast-moving or sponsorship-focused industries
• 6,114 companies discussing sponsorships (active marketing and brand investment)

August was supposed to be quiet. In reality, it was a hotbed of marketing activity – and a goldmine of opportunity for agencies and marketing tech providers.

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