Woolworths’ CMO Andrew Hicks (lead image) has been named in the prestigious Forbes‘ list of the World’s 50 Most Influential CMOs. Hicks was the only Aussie to receive a gong on this year’s list. You can read the top 50 in full HERE.
The Woolies’ marketing king pin placed a very credible 21st position on the list, with Forbes naming Peleton Interactive’s Dara Treseder (pictured below) at the world’s number one CMO.
Originating from South Africa, Hicks has been Woolies’ CMO since 2019. Although he has been with the Woolworths Group since 2008 in roles that included national marketing manager of Dan Murphy’s
In February, Hicks was named in B&T’s CMO Powerlist (read it HERE) that named the 20 most powerful CMOs in Australia.
Hicks told B&T, “I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to be included on the list, especially when looking at the calibre of the marketers recognised. This recognition would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the talented team I have the privilege to lead across the Woolworths Group.
“We continue to be focussed on understanding and responding to customers’ needs while continuing to build the strength of some of Australia’s most iconic brands. I hope many more Australian marketers are recognised on lists like this. It would be a more accurate reflection of the great depth of talent we have in Australia.”
In February, Hicks told B&T that despite a degree in marketing and psychology, a love of TV ads had a young Hicks, at one stage, contemplating a career as an advertising copywriter!
Hicks said: “Growing up, I was one of those rare individuals that enjoyed watching the ads more than the TV programs. I loved the storytelling in ads; how it could connect with you and move you. I actually went back and studied advertising and copywriting for two years.
“Most marketers would admit to having once said, ‘I wish I’d done that.’ And that thinking should be embraced, we should keep learning, keep doing things differently. Everyone should be trying to lift the benchmark, set a new benchmark with the marketing efforts that we have,” he said.
Forbes’ top 10 global CMOs included:
- Dara Treseder – Global head of marketing, communications and membership at Peloton Interactive
- William White – CMO of Walmart
- Fernando Machado – Ex-Burger King and now CMO of Activision Blizzard
- Greg Joswiak – Worldwide marketing at Apple
- Morgan Flately – McDonald’s global CMO
- Sarah Franklin – Salesforce CMO
- Manuel Arroyo – Coca-Cola global CMO
- Bettina Fetzer – Mercedes-Benz head of marketing
- Harish Bhat – Tata Group brand custodian
- Alex Schultz – Meta’s CMO and VP
