Business Insider Names 25 Innovative CMOs for 2026 as AI Reshapes Marketing

3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Jun 24

Business Insider’s 2026 list highlights 25 senior marketers it says are pushing brands into new territory while delivering measurable business results.
AI runs through the selections: honorees used it to personalize ads, reshape search strategy, and cut campaign production times as the CMO role expands beyond traditional brand marketing.
The class includes executives without formal CMO titles—such as chief brand and chief growth officers—and was compiled from Business Insider reporting plus more than 100 industry nominations.
Examples cited range from Disney’s Asad Ayaz, tied to a $6.5 billion global box office run, to marketers behind growth at brands including HubSpot, Ulta Beauty, Coach, Chime, and American Express.
The list frames 2026 marketing leadership as a blend of brand building, data fluency, cultural relevance, and technology execution.