What changed? When the NBA recruited Tammy Henault in 2022, it charged her to “further the organization’s mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball.” That big remit came to an end in September, when Henault exited to take a “power pause” before her next move.
Why it matters: Henault’s plays were fun to watch, especially her penchant for casting NBA stars present and past (see: Larry Bird, Magic Johnson) alongside mainstream celebs like Jimmy Kimmel and Queen Latifah. Henault also oversaw the organization’s first piece of sonic branding. She turned younger viewers onto basketball, built the NBA’s overseas fanbase, and shattered attendance records along the way. The NBA is splitting marketing between the leadership team for now. – Robert Klara
Raja Rajamannar, Mastercard
What changed? Longtime Mastercard chief marketing and communications officer Raja Rajamannar announced in October that he would transition to the role of senior fellow and be succeeded by former Accenture marketing boss Jill Kramer. Rajamannar had been in the role for 12 years.
Why it matters: One of the industry’s most celebrated CMOs, Rajamannar is credited with transforming the financial services giant into a marketing and data-led organization while evolving its iconic “Priceless” platform. He also expanded Mastercard’s brand with sonic and haptic logos and pushed the boundaries of inclusive marketing with groundbreaking programs like the True Name card. His legacy looms large for CMOs at legacy brands looking to innovate beyond the confines of traditional marketing. – Alison Weissbrot
Andy Judd, Poppi
