Chief Marketer has unveiled the 2026 Marketers of the Year, an elite group of executives who are redefining what’s possible in modern marketing. We’ve recognized these leaders not only for their standout achievements over the past year, but for the impact they’re having on their organizations, their teams and the broader marketing community. Join us in celebrating top marketers from Bose, H&R Block, Meta, YouTube, G2 and others, and read what inspires and excites them about the world of marketing today.

Tree Hut’s ice skating holiday pop-up is one of the brand’s most buzzed-about events, with the program generating 235,000 social media engagements. CMO Luis Garcia says such activations are essential — given the brand’s lack of stores — to boost awareness, consumer engagement and sales. Read about Garcia’s approach to sampling, tracking results and his plans for a “big glow-up” in 2026.

Last-minute holiday shoppers often buy gift cards for convenience and as a safe bet. But subscription platform Patreon is pushing for purchases with a touch more personalization. SVP of Marketing Mike McGarry takes us through the brand’s fruitful strategy, which leverages a creator-led comedic holiday campaign to urge shoppers to buy Patreon subscriptions as gifts.

When it comes to marketing and PR, most business technology companies feel they’re playing catch-up in a race where the rules keep changing. That’s according to “How to Win Influence in B2B Tech,” a report from comms agency 3Thinkrs based on a survey of 400 B2B tech CMOs in the U.S. and U.K. Top concerns include lack of skills and resources to compete, and keeping pace with answer engine optimization. We review the survey’s top insights.

Lastly, Godiva is celebrating its 100 years with a centennial glow-up and swanky new campaign starring the actress Leighton Meester. Angela Fotopoulos, Marketing Director at Godiva, Pladis Americas, dishes on all the details.

Until next week,