Former Accenture marketing boss Jill Kramer steps into the chief marketing and communications (CMCO) role at Mastercard following one of the longest and most influential CMO tenures in the industry, taking over from Raja Rajamannar.
Her arrival marks a moment of transition for a brand long associated with consistency, cultural credibility, and the enduring power of its “Priceless” platform.
In 2026, Kramer’s challenge will be evolving Rajamannar’s legacy, and keeping Mastercard culturally relevant and innovative while protecting its brand equity.
Per figures from Interbrand, Accenture’s brand value almost doubled from $12 billion to $20.9 billion over the near-decade Kramer was CMCO there. Prior to that, she held senior roles at BBDO and DDB, where she led campaigns for brands such as AT&T and ExxonMobil.
Jon Halvorson, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, Kenvue
In October, Tylenol maker Kenvue gave Jon Halvorson the call. The business was reeling after a September press conference in which health secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., buttressed by President Trump, implied a link between autism and acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.
Despite the medical establishment long discrediting such links, on the same day, Kenvue reported Q3 sales down 3.5%, and a few weeks later, Kimberly-Clark announced it had acquired Kenvue for nearly $49 billion.
Kenvue is betting that with experience spanning Starcom MediaVest, GM, and Mondelez—where he led AI adoption—Halvorson brings the marketing and messaging chops needed to reassure consumers.
As Trump and RFK continue to make major changes to pharma advertising, and a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton looms, Halvorson has a challenging 2026 ahead.
Kate Rouch, CMO, OpenAI
