2025 was a carousel of chief marketing officer (CMO) exits, arrivals, and shake-ups that kept the advertising world on its toes.
While the CMO door keeps revolving, 2026 will once again see marketing bosses challenged by geopolitical upheaval and squeezed consumer spend. There will also be opportunities, including the FIFA 26 World Cup and a buzzy M&A market. AI advancement will be a double-edged sword, making it easier for brands to connect with audiences while also raising questions about the human cost of the tech.
For marketers at some of the world’s most talked-about brands, the next 12 months will test how well they can adapt, innovate, and lead.
With that in mind, ADWEEK is spotlighting 10 CMOs worth watching in 2026.
Some are setting the tone for challenger brands. Others are steering their teams into unfamiliar territory. Several are tasked with modernizing legacy businesses and a few are defining what leadership looks like in new roles.
Scroll down to see who’s on the list for 2026.
Ahmed Iqbal, CMO, Cadillac F1
As Cadillac Formula 1’s first-ever CMO, Iqbal arrives at a moment of peak momentum for the sport, with global interest surging thanks to a nail-biting 2025 Grand Prix and Netflix’s fly-on-the-wall documentary series, Drive to Survive.
The CMO joins on the back of McLaren’s dominant run, raising both the stakes and the expectations for the challenger.
In 2026, Iqbal’s task will be to define what Cadillac stands for in a crowded, fast-moving F1 landscape. He’ll need to translate the brand’s American heritage into global relevance while building credibility with fans who are already deeply invested in the sport.
Jill Kramer, CMCO, Mastercard
