Snap Appoints Grace Kao as New CMO
Snap Inc. has named Grace Kao as its new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective immediately. This marks Snap's first CMO appointment since Kenny Mitchell's departure two years ago. Kao's promotion comes as Colleen DeCourcy, Snap's Chief Creative Officer, transitions to an advisory role and prepares to leave the company later this year.
From Spotify to Snap: Kao's Background
Kao joined Snap in December 2024 from Spotify, recruited by DeCourcy. Initially serving as Vice President of Consumer and Business Marketing, Kao brings over two decades of advertising experience to the role. Her previous positions include roles at Instagram, Pandora, Yahoo, and various advertising agencies.
DeCourcy's Transition and Contributions
DeCourcy, who joined Snap in 2022, led key marketing initiatives, including the "Less Social Media. More Snapchat" campaign. She will continue to support Snap's major events, such as the Newfronts and Cannes Lions, before her departure.
New Leadership Ahead of Key Events
Kao's appointment comes at a crucial time for Snap, as the company prepares for its Newfronts presentation on May 7th. This event will showcase Snapchat's latest technology, ad formats, and content offerings to brands and agencies. The appointment also precedes Snap's Q1 2025 earnings report on April 29th.
Snapchat's Evolving Marketing Strategy
Snap continues to differentiate itself from traditional social media platforms, emphasizing its focus on messaging and camera-driven features like augmented reality. The company recently expanded its agency partner program to collaborate with marketing service providers of all sizes.
