What changed? Poppi CMO Andy Judd stepped down in 2025 following PepsiCo’s roughly $2 billion acquisition of the prebiotic soda brand.
Why it matters: Having first joined in 2023, Judd helped shape Poppi’s culture-first marketing approach as the brand scaled rapidly in retail. Poppi has not named a direct replacement, but marketing responsibilities are being overseen by CGO Jeff Rubenstein as the brand integrates into PepsiCo. Judd’s exit marked a key transition as Poppi moves from fast-moving challenger to a scaled-up CPG. – Rebecca Stewart
Linda Bethea, Danone
What changed? In a multinational as big as the $16 billion Danone, a ripple at headquarters can become a wave in the field. That’s what happened earlier in December when Linda Bethea departed as North America CMO after roughly two years on the job.
Why it matters: In 2022, Paris-based Danone announced Renew Danone, an initiative that fractioned its operations into three sectors. In this shift, Henri Bruxelles emerged as the exec overseeing the Americas division. Afterwards, Bethea was headed for the exit, and the CMO responsibilities were rolled into the broader U.S. leadership team. The packaged-foods giant had built its messaging around the ethos of “health through food” for the last two decades. However, it was Bethea who spotted the market niche created by the rise of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, positioning Danone’s yogurt-based products as essential nutritional supplements. – Robert Klara
Lisa McKnight, Mattel
What changed? After more than two decades at Mattel, evp and chief brand officer Lisa McKnight left, and a leadership restructure followed. The Barbie brand architect’s role was replaced by a newly created chief global brand officer position, occupied by Roberto Stanichi.
Why it matters: McKnight helped lead Mattel’s transformation into an IP-driven entertainment behemoth, capped by the cultural and box office success of the Barbie movie. Her exit signals a shift toward more centralized global brand leadership as Mattel looks to scale more franchises across film, consumer products, and experiences. – Rebecca Stewart
