American Express has named Jess Ling as its new global CMO, with the marketing executive set to take over from long-serving CMO Elizabeth Rutledge later this month.
Ling, who currently serves as EVP of global brand advertising at American Express, will step into the role effective November 30.
The appointment follows Rutledge’s announcement that she will retire in March 2027, after more than three decades with the financial services business.
In a post this morning, Howard M. Grosfield, Group President of US Consumer Services, described Ling as someone who brings more than 20 years of experience across marketing, advertising and media.
He said she has built a track record of modernising brands through storytelling and product differentiation, connecting what a brand stands for with the value it delivers to customers.
Ling joined American Express in 2019 and moved into its Global Advertising and Brand Management team in 2023.
During her time in the business, she has played a key role in reshaping its creative and media strategy, including building its in-house creative agency, OnBrand.
Grosfield credited Ling with strengthening the connection between brand investment and business growth, as well as bringing greater discipline to media spending and creating opportunities to scale the company’s marketing efforts.
Before joining American Express, Ling served as head of B2B marketing at Verizon Media, where she led a cross-functional revenue marketing organisation.
“Since joining American Express in 2019, Jess has brought a powerful combination of strategic vision, customer-centric thinking, and creative leadership,” Grosfield said.
“I’m confident she will build on this momentum and help shape an exciting next chapter for our brand and business.”
Rutledge will work alongside Ling and Grosfield to ensure a smooth transition ahead of her retirement in March 2027.
