What changed? Sometimes you need a marketer, and sometimes you need a warrior. In October, Tylenol maker Kenvue needed both, and Jon Halvorson got the call.
Why it matters: Kenvue was reeling after a September press conference in which health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.—buttressed by President Trump—implied a link between autism and acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. Despite the medical establishment long discrediting such links, Kenvue took no chances. With experience spanning Starcom MediaVest, GM. and Mondelez—where he led AI adoption—Halvorson brings the marketing and messaging chops needed for the challenge ahead. The same day Kenvue reported Q3 sales down 3.5%, Kimberly-Clark announced it had acquired Kenvue for nearly $49 billion. – Robert Klara
Colleen DeCourcy, Sonos
What changed? On an earnings call in November, beleaguered tech company Sonos announced it will bring on marketing and Madison Avenue veteran Colleen DeCourcy in January to lead a brand turnaround. The appointment comes as Sonos continues to recover from a botched app update in 2024, which cost it $100 million in revenue in the following six months and sent its stock tumbling.
Why it matters: Sonos is betting DeCourcy, with her pedigree at companies like Snap Inc. and Wieden+Kennedy, can repair the brand’s image with a revamped marketing strategy that shifts the focus from adding new customers to increasing the number of devices in each customer household. She joins under new CEO Tim Conrad, who came on in July to turn around the struggling company’s fortunes. – Alison Weissbrot
First CMO appointments
Ahmed Iqbal, Cadillac F1
What changed? Cadillac F1 recently named former TikTok and Twitter exec Ahmed Iqbal as its first CMO.
Why it matters: Iqbal’s appointment lands as the buzz around motorsports hits a fever pitch, thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive and a nail-biting Grand Prix season. In a statement, Cadillac said Iqbal’s mission will be to turn the new racing team into “America’s home team” with a strategy that will not “rely solely on traditional advertising or glossy sponsorships.” Before long, he could be giving McLaren a real challenge in the marketing races. – Rebecca Stewart
