The mobile marketing industry is ever-changing, and that applies to the people as much as the technology. Movers & Shakers is our regular feature following the hottest hires in the industry, so you can keep track of who’s joined which company, and what they’re doing there.

Marketo appoints new CMO and CCO
Audience engagement platform provider Marketo has named Sarah Kennedy as the firm’s new chief marketing officer, and promoted Matthew Zilli to the role of chief customer officer, with both reporting to chief executive officer Steve Lucas.

Kennedy brings nearly 15 years of technology marketing expertise to Marketo, including her most recent role as vice president of global marketing and managing director of digital experience at Sabre Corporation. While there, she served as head of Sabre’s in-house interactive agency, leading global go-to-market strategy, communications, demand generation, creative and content marketing.

Zilli has been with Marketo for over four years, and most recently served as interim chief marketing officer and group vice president of product and solution marketing. As chief customer officer, he will oversee the company’s customer success and global enablement efforts, leveraging his in-depth knowledge of the firm’s product and customer base to create value for customers. Prior to joining Marketo in 2013, he helped launch LineStream Technologies and held roles at Texas Instruments and Rovi.

“I am thrilled to welcome Sarah as Marketo’s new CMO,” said Lucas. “We undertook an exhaustive search to make sure we found the right person to lead our world-class marketing team, which so many thousands of marketers look to for best practices and exceptional thought leadership. Sarah stood out as the individual that will help take the organisation to new heights. Matt has guided Marketo’s marketing team during a time of change and growth, and his leadership has been truly indispensable. I am so pleased to have him join my executive team permanently as our CCO.”

New marketing chief revealed for AB InBev’s UK operations
Tatiana Stadukhina has risen to the role of marketing director for the UK and Ireland at global brewing group AB InBev. Stadukhina, who joined the firm in April 2014 as global innovation manager, replaced Nick Robinson, who left in July to join Kerry Foods as chief marketing officer. AB InBev’s brands including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Beck’s, Corona and Boddingtons.

Since joining AB InBev, Stadukhina has been promoted several times, becoming director of global innovations in 2015 and Stella Artois brand director for Europe in March of this year, when she relocated from New York to London. Prior to working at AB InBev, she spent six years in marketing and brand roles at Unilever.

“We have huge ambitions for the next year with Budweiser being the official beer of next year’s World Cup, Corona cementing its status as the number one world lager and Stella Artois continuing to partner with iconic causes and calendar moments,” said Stadukhina. “We are also leading in the no-and-low alcohol space through Bud Light, Boddingtons and newly-launched Budweiser Prohibition, which tap into the consumer trend for moderation. I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store for the months ahead.”

Ofer Druker joins Taptica as Executive Chairman of its Tremor Video DSP
Former Matomy CEO Ofer Druker is set to join Taptica to serve as the executive chairman of Tremor Video DSP, the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary for video advertising optimisation and attribution that was acquired earlier this year. Druker, who boasts almost 20 years’ industry experience, will begin his role in 2018.

As executive chairman for Tremor, Druker will focus on data partnerships, with the aim of expanding Tremor into further global markets and engaging with the supply side segment, leveraging his experience and substantial network of connections. He will also work with Hagai Tal, Taptica’s CEO, to steer the group’s M&A strategy and growth to take the firm to the next level. He joins from Matomy, which he co-founded in 2007 and helped grow from a start-up to a public company with 12 global offices and revenues of over $270m (£204m) annually.

“We are delighted to welcome Ofer, who brings significant experience in the digital advertising industry at the highest level,” said Tal. “His track record means that he is well-placed to enhance the skillset of the management team and help deliver Taptica’s goal of global expansion for the group. We look forward to benefiting from his expertise as we continue to execute on our strategy of building a truly global business with a unique offering based on next-generation mobile usage, combing mobile, video and social programmatic ad buying platforms.”

Leo Burnett London hires Craig Neilson as Head of Creative Production and Operations
Former head of project management at McCann London Craig Neilson will be joining creative agency Leo Burnett London as head of creative production and operations. A veteran of multiple agencies including adam&eve/DDB, Bartle Bogle Hegarty and Mother, he will report to chief creative officer Chaka Sobhani, starting from the end of October.

“What a great opportunity and time to be joining Chaka and the wider team at Leo’s where it feels the momentum is already building,” said Neilson. “Leo Burnett has a history of producing such great work and a reputation for having a great culture too. Two big draws for me. I’m really looking forward to contributing and doing my part on this latest and exciting journey.”

“Attracting great talent is key to us at Leo’s and we’re chuffed to bits to have Craig join us,” said Sobhani. “He’s super smart, knows great work and most importantly, is a top bloke to boot. He’s a great addition to the agency and is going to help get the best out of all of us.”

New CEO announced for AI platform Neura
Leading AI platform provider Neura has promoted Amit Hammer, former chief operating officer, to serve as CEO for the firm. He replaces co-founder and previous CEO Gilad Meiri, who will continue to serve as a member of the company’s Board of Directors. Hammer brings over 20 years of business management and technical experience to the role, and will lead the company in its next phase of accelerated growth.

“Neura is changing the game for the connected world, enabling mobile apps and IoT products to adapt and anticipate users’ needs and preferences throughout their day,” said Hammer. “We have proven significant value to our customers in the digital health market, and are now expanding our offering to additional markets, such as smart home, insurance, mobile engagement, automotive and travel.

“It’s an exciting time to lead this global operation; we have a great combination of highly-differentiated technology, an extremely talented team, innovative customers and partners, and a strong momentum in the market. We are well positioned to grow and expand into new markets and applications. Our mission remains the same – to revolutionise the way products engage with people.”