2025 was a carousel of chief advertising officer (CMO) exits, arrivals, and shake-ups that kept the advertising world on its toes.

Whereas the CMO door retains revolving, 2026 will as soon as once more see advertising bosses challenged by geopolitical upheaval and squeezed shopper spend. There will even be alternatives, together with the FIFA 26 World Cup and a buzzy M&A market. AI development will likely be a double-edged sword, making it simpler for manufacturers to attach with audiences whereas additionally elevating questions in regards to the human value of the tech.

For entrepreneurs at a few of the world’s most talked-about manufacturers, the following 12 months will take a look at how properly they’ll adapt, innovate, and lead.

With that in thoughts, ADWEEK is spotlighting 10 CMOs price watching in 2026.

Some are setting the tone for challenger manufacturers. Others are steering their groups into unfamiliar territory. A number of are tasked with modernizing legacy companies and some are defining what management appears to be like like in new roles.

Scroll all the way down to see who’s on the checklist for 2026. 

Ahmed Iqbal, CMO, Cadillac F1 

As Cadillac Formulation 1’s first-ever CMO, Iqbal arrives at a second of peak momentum for the game, with international curiosity surging due to a nail-biting 2025 Grand Prix and Netflix’s fly-on-the-wall documentary sequence, Drive to Survive. 

The CMO joins on the again of McLaren’s dominant run, elevating each the stakes and the expectations for the challenger.

In 2026, Iqbal’s activity will likely be to outline what Cadillac stands for in a crowded, fast-moving F1 panorama. He’ll must translate the model’s American heritage into international relevance whereas constructing credibility with followers who’re already deeply invested within the sport.

Jill Kramer, CMCO, Mastercard