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...

Sales lead: This company signals it is more focused on marketing by hiring a CMO.  Lux Speed (LS) created a new position by naming Jennie Rios CMO earlier this year.  Rios joins from Blue Stream Fiber, where she served as residential sales VP.  LS launched in 2020 and offers bulk internet services.  Target demographic: Apartment owners & property management  The company will likely: Start investing in national advertising Seek agency assistance Build out marketing ...

Sales Lead: Lexus recently established partnerships with two new female brand ambassadors. Up-and-coming golfers Hinako Shibuno and Amari Avery will introduce Lexus's brand "to new audiences and young people around the world," per Lexus's experiential marketing and national partnerships manager, Nicole Peterson. Lexus sponsors the US Golf Association along with other companies such as American Express, Cisco, Deloitte, Rolex, and Sentry. This announcement comes as Lexus starts targe...

Media Sales Lead: Lemonade just introduced its first-ever brand campaign. The push includes three 30-second spots that will air across CTV and other digital channels. It will also be supported by direct mail and email marketing. The company is specifically targeting Gen-Zers and millennials. Lemonade's in-house team worked with creative agency Gus on the creative while the company's media team handled media.  Key Lead Takeaways: The company has been decreasing ad spend over the past couple...