WFA reveals shortlist for Global Marketer of the Year 2023

From left to right: Asmita Dubey (L’Oréal), Morgan Flatley (McDonald's), Aude Gandon (Nestlé), Marcel Marcondes (AB InBev) and Lisa McKnight (Mattel, Inc.).

WFA has unveiled the shortlist for the 2023 Global Marketer of the Year award, celebrating the work of global marketing leaders from some of the world’s biggest companies.

An expert jury of 16 marketing leaders considered a host of eligible names submitted by the industry, with each judge nominating their top contenders to create the shortlist. All will be added to the WFA’s Hall of Fame.

Those selected for the 2023 award are:

1. Asmita Dubey, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, L’Oréal: Under Asmita’s leadership, the company has continued to optimise its internal marketing organisation through upskilling and improving the way they work with agencies, influencers and start-ups. Asmita has introduced new A/R beauty services and virtual try-ons for hair and make-up as well as skin diagnosis through AI. The latter has attracted more than 40 million users in the past year.
2. Morgan Flatley, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of New Business Ventures, McDonald’s: Morgan has been leading the implementation of a mosaic of solutions for McDonald’s to address different market challenges and consumer behaviours. By capitalising on the growing relevance of technology while maintaining the “human touch", she has identified that contact points with the brand and the act of purchasing its products are omnichannel experiences.
3. Aude Gandon, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Nestlé: As Nestlé’s first-ever global CMO, Aude oversees the global marketing strategy portfolio of more than 2,000 brands. She has brought together marketing and digital teams, with a mission to accelerate marketing and digital transformation across the entire organisation. She also leads on the company’s 2050 sustainability roadmap.
4. Marcel Marcondes, Global Chief Marketing Officer, AB InBev: Marcel is responsible for a transformation of marketing organisation where people are at the centre of everything the company does. By applying this people-first approach to the business, he has helped create many of the fastest-growing brands in the industry, connecting the portfolio with consumer trends. Since 2018, the company has been No. 1 for innovation volume in the beer category.
5. Lisa McKnight, EVP, Chief Brand Officer, Mattel, Inc.: Lisa has been instrumental in evolving the iconic Barbie brand into the most diverse doll line on the market. Most recently, Lisa oversaw more than 100 brand collaborations in the build-up to the release of the Barbie movie, a marketing success that saw brand sales worldwide increase 16% year-on-year, and a 26% increase in North America.

Vote for your favourite

Members of the industry can vote for their favourite starting today and until 28 January 2024 at globalmarketeroftheyear.com. More content including interviews with the shortlist will be shared in the coming weeks.

The winner will be announced in February 2024 and will be decided by a public vote – supported by The Drum – and a jury vote, with each element accounting for half of the final score.

“This year's five shortlisted marketers for the Global Marketer of the Year showcase the invaluable role of marketing in shaping businesses and contributing positively to society. These remarkable individuals have not only navigated their brands through turbulent times but have demonstrated agility, innovation, and a commitment to prioritizing people,” said Mastercard’s CMCO Raja Rajamannar, chair of the expert jury and WFA President.

This is the seventh year that WFA has run Global Marketer of the Year. The 2022 winner was Cristina Diezhandino, Diageo’s Global Chief Marketing Officer.