Sales Lead: Audi is now in search of a new CMO due to the departure of Tara Rush. I hope Audi doesn't... Rush too much with a new hire; we will keep you updated, of course. Rush has not yet announced her next steps. Audi hired her in April 2019 as chief communications officer and promoted her to CMO in November 2020. During her tenure at Audi, Rush led the US creative agency assignment shift to AOR Ogilvy in May 2022. Ogilvy took over from Venables Bell & Partners, which had...

Sales lead: Agency reviews commonly follow one another, so reach out now to be top-of-mind. SeatGeek selected SlapGlobal as its creative AOR in July 2023.  This replaces Fig, which picked up the account in 2021.  SlapGlobal's work will reportedly focus on showing consumers its unique features.  Target demographic: Male millennial/Gen-Z sports fans  The company will likely: Keep increasing ad spend    Launch an ad campaign/new creative work Make additional agency ch...

Media Sales Lead: L'Occitane is experimenting with a virtual store through a partnership with Emperia. The company's DMs believe this will boost brand engagement, loyalty, and online sales. The virtual experience is inspired by the Provence, France region and allows users to explore using a virtual bicycle or hot air balloon. It also promotes L'Occitane's products and includes interactive content. In other news, L'Occitane has been increasing digital ad spend so far this year. I see no reason...

Sales lead: Contact the new CMO now to be top-of-mind.  Ribbon Communications hired Joni Roberts as CMO, effective June 2023. Roberts joins from RAD, where she served as the NA sales & business development VP.  She is now responsible for Ribbon's global marketing strategy, organization, and investor relations.  Target demographic: Businesses that need networking solutions The company will likely: Ramp digital spend back up Experiment with additional ad channels See...

Sales lead: This hire will affect the company's marketing strategy & agency roster. LL Flooring hired Laura Massaro as SVP & CMO in July 2023. Massaro most recently served as Delta's integrated marketing director & social media head.  She is now responsible for all of LL's marketing initiatives.  Target demographic: Millennial & Gen-X do-it-yourselfers  The company will likely: Keep ramping up ad spend Try new ad channels Review the agency roster Broadcast ins...

Sales lead: Be prepared to reach out as soon as the university hires a new marketing DM.  North Carolina State University (NCSU) lost its long-time marketing leader, Brad Bohlander, to the University of Arizona.  Bohlander joined NCSU in 2011 as chief communications & marketing officer. He was responsible for brand identity, public/media relations, crisis communications, social media, and marketing.  Target demographic: Gen-Z high school upperclassmen & Gen-X parents Once it...

Sales Lead: With the goal of relaunching the brand this fall, Wellful Inc. acquired Jenny Craig (JC)'s brand assets out of bankruptcy. When it relaunches JC's weight-loss service, it will do so as e-Commerce with virtual not in-person, coaching. Its next phase will be driven by digital and e-Commerce through which people can order meal to their doors while still having access to personalized coaching. JC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in May 2023. Wellful, a D2C consum...

Sales Lead: Michael Alberici departed Cinnabon earlier this year, leaving it without a top brand-specific marketer. Alberici, Cinnabon's former marketing VP and head, is now the marketing SVP and head at Smalls Sliders. The brand will likely: Need additional marketing support in his absence Shift strategy Return to higher spend Seek new agency partners, especially if and when it finds a successor for Alberici. Target demographic:  Women Additio...

Sales Lead: Per CMO Tariq Hassan, McDonald's has started relying on its loyalty program to connect with consumers. With new promotions such as the adult Happy Meal, McDonald's is working to provide quality customer experiences that build company value. To do so, it recently launched a new marketing campaign centered around Gen-Z- and millennial-oriented nostalgia. The campaign features McDonald's purple mascot, Grimace. Like a cat running across a keyboard, the company tweeted...

Sales Lead: The XFL selected Josh Cella as its new chief commercial officer. Cella will now oversee the brand's league and team advertising, sponsorship, and consumer product businesses. He joined from Comcast Spectator, where he served as the gaming, e-sports, and media CRO. In this role, Cella's responsibilities included advertising and sponsorship sales. To the best of our knowledge, the XFL has not yet found a new CMO or marketing and brand VP after this year's job c...