July saw some massive shifts in major brands that will have global ramifications for how they approach the market. Here’s a snapshot of some of the brands, CMOs, and key themes from July 2025.

Over 8,600 New Marketing Hires
The summer heat didn't slow down the hiring of new marketing leaders, with a significant number of appointments across a diverse range of globally recognized brands. These new leaders are currently reviewing everything from existing strategies to incumbent agencies, presenting substantial new business opportunities. Some notable moves include:

• HiBob: Sophie Chesters, Chief Marketing Officer
• Crayola: Sarah Horowitz, Marketing Director UK & NE
• what3words: Jane Stephenson, Chief Marketing Officer
• Strava: Louisa Wee, Chief Marketing Officer
• Calendly: Jamal Miller, Vice President, Brand and Product Marketing
• monday.com: Harris Beber, Chief Marketing Officer
• Airbnb: Rebecca Van Dyck, Chief Marketing Officer
• Nike: Michael Gonda, EVP, Chief Communications Officer
• Groupe Clarins: Lynn Rosenthal, Vice President Marketing
• J.P. Morgan Private Bank: Naomi Mulgrave, Global Chief Marketing Officer
• Salesforce: Debbie Hutchings, Vice President Marketing
• MUFG: Brezo Navas, Vice President, Corporate Sponsorship & Events, EMEA

Over 3,300 Promotions Shaping New Strategies
Internal talent continued to rise, with notable promotions at major brands indicating evolving strategic shifts. For marketing agencies and tech providers, these moves often signal new budget allocations, fresh strategic priorities, and opportunities for external collaboration.

• Stanley Black & Decker: Adam Schair, Vice President, Global Communications
• Mars: Chris Rodi, Global Brand VP Pedigree
• Lacoste: Cyril Maus, VP Global Sales & Marketing Underwear & Socks
• L'Oreal: David Iop, Global Vice President Communications & Engagement
• Philip Morris International: Francisca Rahardja, Chief Brand Officer
• Citi: Katy Goold, Vice President - Global Integration, Global Marketing
• Groupe Clarins: Lynn Rosenthal, Vice President Marketing
• BlackRock: Sabrina Meyers, Vice President - EMEA, Global Event Marketing

CEO Appointments Driving Strategic Marketing Directions
There were significant changes in leadership, with 454 new CEOs taking the helm. These high-level appointments frequently lead to a re-evaluation of marketing strategies, technology stacks, international ambitions, and agency relationships as new visions are implemented.

• Medivet Group: Ben Jacklin, UK Chief Executive
• Decathlon: Elena Pecos, Chief Executive Officer
• Remy Cointreau: Franck Marilly, Chief Executive Officer, Remy Cointreau
• Whistl: Ian Keilty, Chief Executive Officer
• Orange: Jerome Henique, Chief Executive Officer Orange France
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: Stefan Mecha, Chief Executive Officer
• SUEZ: Xavier Girre, Chief Executive Officer - SUEZ Group

Strategic Marketing Opportunities and Key Conversations
The marketing landscape remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions and evolving focuses that create new business opportunities.

• Over 10,290 companies continued to prioritize sustainability initiatives, indicating a strong demand for marketing that communicates ESG values and green credentials.
• Nearly 320 companies championed female employees, indicating a focus on diversity and inclusion that requires nuanced and authentic marketing communications.
• 855 companies launched new websites, often signaling new brand identities, digital strategies, and immediate needs for SEO, content, UX, and paid media support.

Honch’s Essential Research for July 2025
Honch released focused lists reflecting growing markets and strategic opportunities. These are ideal for new business teams looking to identify clients with immediate needs or emerging trends.

New International Coverage:
Our expansion into the Middle East has identified thousands of new CMOs and marketing leaders, helping clients engage with this highly affluent territory. Our coverage included:

• Top Companies in Saudi Arabia: 817 Companies
• Top Companies in Israel: 440 Companies
• Top Companies in Oman, Qatar & Bahrain: 493 Companies
• Top Companies in United Arab Emirates: 718 Companies

Targeting the "New Sectors":
We covered emerging sectors with specific marketing needs.

• Global VPN Providers: 14 Companies
• Global Logistics Companies 2025: 269 Companies
• eSim Providers 2025: 17 Companies
• Tennis Sponsors 2025: 243 Companies

Honch continuously tracks these pivotal marketing shifts and opportunities, ensuring you connect with senior marketers exactly when they're shaping new strategies and seeking external expertise.

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