DMEXCO CMO Summit 2025: Bold Brands & Future-Focused Strategies

Make your move: DMEXCO 2025 redefines digital marketing

In keeping with the DMEXCO motto for 2025, “Be bold. Move forward,” the event will provide a stage for forward-looking keynotes, stimulating panel discussions and inspiring fireside chats. On the second day of the digital sector trade fair organized by Koelnmesse, the CMO Summit will highlight how top marketers are using clear strategies to respond to the complex challenges facing the industry, from the use of AI to data ethics.

Marketing of tomorrow: Dare to try something new – now!

The evolution of artificial intelligence is already having a lasting impact on digital marketing. In times of geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty, brave decisions, strategic foresight and a willingness to innovate are needed more than ever. Verena Gründel, Brand & Communications Director at DMEXCO, stresses this point:

“‘Be bold. Move forward.’ is more than just the DMEXCO motto. It’s an attitude and a call to action. After all, courage and determination are key to progress and success. Companies must take the next step now. Those that wait will be left behind. Studies have shown that companies that invest decisively and drive innovation during economic downturns grow faster than their competitors in the long term. DMEXCO 2025 brings together thought leaders, changemakers and innovators to seize precisely these opportunities: to share knowledge, set trends and develop future-focused solutions. Because the future belongs to those who have the courage to shape it.”

The DMEXCO CMO Summit 2025 brings together the sharpest minds behind the most successful brands. How can first-party data be used intelligently? What are the secrets to sustainable marketing management and cross-platform content strategies with high relevance and reach? And how is AI becoming an integral part of creative processes?

Among those aiming to provide answers are the following five leading figures, who are rethinking brands and shaping the future of marketing:

#1 Jennifer Treiber-Ruckenbrod, CMO at Mini

One of the top 100 figures in marketing communications as named by German trade magazine W&V in 2023, a member of the jury for the German Media Prize in 2024 and with many years of experience in senior positions at the BMW Group before taking charge of brand management and marketing for the Mini brand in February 2025: Jennifer Treiber-Ruckenbrod is one of Germany’s leading marketing professionals. As a speaker at events like DMEXCO and the W&V Summit, she demonstrates her commitment to brands as well as both customer- and goal-oriented insights. On LinkedIn, she shares her approach – using technical progress to focus on the brand in order to stay close to the target group. She writes:

“In the era of digital transformation, it’s a personal passion of mine to shape the interface between technological innovation and human needs. I’m committed to marketing that’s authentic, customer-oriented and fit for the future – marketing that puts people at the forefront and creates unique customer experiences, under the banner of #DrivingInnovation.”

#2 Mona Roberts, Head of Marketing at Primark (Germany & Austria)

Looking for ways to make a long-term impact in fashion retail? Mona Roberts is a forward thinker in this space. Whether working with brands such as Deichmann and Karstadt or, since early 2025, Primark, she knows her target group and what her customers want. She shares her expertise as a member of the jury for the Effie Awards Germany and THE BEST AGENCY Awards, among others. Her goals? Sustainable transformation, growth and brand empowerment. In an interview with German marketing magazine absatzwirtschaft, she said:

“I’m experiencing a lot of openness to new ideas and a willingness to rethink old ways of doing things. From my – admittedly very German – perspective, I see enormous opportunities here: Primark has the potential to become one of the most relevant retail players in Germany and Austria.”

#3 Alma Lipa, CDMO at L’Oréal (DACH region)

On her LinkedIn profile, Alma Lipa describes herself as a “change embracer.” Her courage and “shoot for the moon attitude” are reflected in her many years of expertise in brand management, e-commerce and advocacy marketing at L’Oréal. The brand has long been a leader in the cosmetics industry. In an interview with German marketing and media newspaper HORIZONT, Alma Lipa spoke about taking an innovative approach to the brand’s beauty tech transformation:

“New marketing options are constantly emerging, and new touchpoints are springing up almost every day. When I think back to what I learned about marketing a few years ago and compare it to today’s reality, there’s a world of difference. What has changed the most dramatically is the way we use technology – especially AI, which used to be just a vague future concept, but has now become concrete and tangible.”

#4 Vanessa Stützle, CEO of LUQOM GROUP

Vanessa Stützle shares her strategic insights as a keynote speaker at events such as the German AI Summit and the K5 Future Retail Conference, and as a member of the jury for the K5 Commerce Award 2025. Her experience in e-commerce is as diverse as the brands she serves: she was previously CDO at s.Oliver and Douglas and, in addition to holding the role of CEO of LUQOM GROUP since 2022, she is a member of the supervisory boards at both Hornbach and ISONO. She regularly discusses the industry’s latest developments in the #quarterlyStützle podcast from Kassenzone. And there are two themes that keep coming up: artificial intelligence and modern corporate governance. As she writes on LinkedIn:

“AI is not a silo issue for individual departments. To use AI efficiently and effectively, there needs to be a breakthrough across the entire organization – we need to use and embrace AI as broadly as possible in order to gather experience – and data – from all areas of business.”

#5 Olivier Krüger, CMO at Lufthansa Group

Olivier Krüger combines over two decades of international leadership experience in strategy, marketing and sales with a keen understanding of digital transformation. In various positions within the Lufthansa Group, he has been responsible for global brand management, innovation and customer experience. As CEO of Lufthansa Systems, he successfully positioned the IT subsidiary as a technology driver for the aviation industry. As Chief Marketing Officer of the Lufthansa Group, he has been heading up its activities with respect to brand, loyalty, ancillaries, and marketing since the beginning of 2023. Miles & More GmbH also falls under his leadership.

On LinkedIn, he describes his mission as follows:

“As CMO, I am passionate about driving customer centricity and loyalty through sustainable and creative brand and marketing strategies. I believe in the importance of data-driven decision-making and will leverage technology and analytics to enable informed decisions.”

The DMEXCO CMO Summit 2025 – your place to be for future impact

In times of global uncertainty and disruptive technologies, marketing is becoming a strategic compass for companies. The CMO Summit at DMEXCO 2025 offers a space to not only experience digital transformation, but also to play an active role in shaping it. Courage, innovative strength and the willingness to venture off the beaten path are crucial.

This is where leading minds in the industry meet to share experiences, provide inspiration and offer answers to key questions about the future of brand management. If you want to lead marketing forward, not just try to keep pace with it, this is the place for you.

Get your DMEXCO tickets now – and help to shape the future of marketing.