Business Insider has identified 16 marketing professionals as the industry's rising stars for 2026, highlighting a new generation of leaders navigating technological disruption and shifting consumer expectations. The list, based on reporting and over 40 nominations, features individuals from blue-chip corporations like Nestlé and Disney to startups such as Apollo.io and Tennr.
These marketers, all sitting below the Chief Marketing Officer level, are leveraging tools like generative AI and deep cultural insights to drive growth and brand relevance. Their work spans creative, social media, experiential marketing, and strategic communications, demonstrating a multifaceted approach to modern brand building.
Driving Revenue and Innovation
Several honourees have directly impacted their companies' bottom lines through innovative strategies. Katie Ferrigno of Zoetis generated approximately 50,000 leads and helped deliver $26 million in annual sales after bringing content marketing in-house. At Edmunds, Chris Gee led the "Project Triple Play" campaign with a sub-$1 million budget, increasing brand awareness in Los Angeles by 8.8% and boosting local Google searches by 111%.
In the tech sector, Megan Godfrey of Meta oversaw social and influencer marketing for the launch of the AI-powered Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses, securing partnerships with creators like Cleo Abram, whose review video garnered 1.2 million views in 48 hours.
Shifting Brand Narratives and Identities
A key theme among the cohort is the move away from traditional messaging. Hasan Iqtidar at L'Oréal Paris Skincare helped reverse declines in the Age Perfect franchise by pivoting from "anti-aging" rhetoric to a science-driven narrative on longevity, contributing to the brand becoming 2025's top beauty brand by social reach. Similarly, Katelyn Stokes at Maruchan repositioned the instant noodle brand for Gen Z audiences with campaigns like the "Saucy Noods" Valentine's Day push on TikTok Shop.
Rebranding efforts were also highlighted. Megan Sharpe led a complete, in-house visual identity overhaul for Grubhub within months of its acquisition by Wonder, a project that earned her a promotion to Head of Creative.
Leveraging Culture and Community
Many rising stars excelled in creating high-impact, culturally resonant experiences. Kristen Otake of Crunchyroll built immersive activations for anime fans, including a "Demon Slayer" castle experience and a "Gachiakuta"-themed treasure hunt that drew over 4,000 participants daily at Anime Expo. For the video game "Civilization VII," Chris Taljonick of 2K executed a global local marketing strategy, including a partnership with the Shawnee Tribe that supported language preservation and won a Gold Clio award.
Community-building was central to the work of Alexandra Parkes at Apollo.io, who quadrupled the social media team and built an influencer program from scratch, and Megan Godfrey, who founded The Village, a non-profit mentorship program supporting over 200 students and graduates.
Creative Campaigns with Measurable Impact
The list showcases campaigns that blended creativity with clear results. Coca-Cola's Natacha McLeod led the launch of Sprite + Tea, generating over 8 billion impressions and driving tens of millions in sales. At Nestlé, Katie McLaughlin oversaw Stouffer's "When the Clock Strikes Dinner" campaign, which delivered 1.6 billion impressions and increased unit sales.
For the streaming service Tubi, Alexandra Roque cultivated a "people's streamer" persona through reactive social media, including a viral bid for Warner Bros. Discovery that was joked about on late-night TV by Jimmy Fallon.
The work of these 16 professionals underscores a broader industry shift towards agility, data-informed creativity, and authentic consumer engagement. As marketing continues to be transformed by new technology and cultural currents, their strategies offer a blueprint for future brand leadership and commercial success.