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Marketing speaker Fernando Machado

Fernando Machado

Chief Brand Officer, Chipotle | Former CMO, Activision Blizzard & Restaurant Brands Intl | Forbes Top 3 Most Influential CMO | Creator, Dove 'Real Beauty Sketches'

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Few marketers pair creative firepower with C-suite credibility like Fernando Machado. Named Forbes' Top 3 Most Influential CMO and Business Insider's Most Innovative CMO in the World, he built era-defining work at Unilever, Restaurant Brands International, and Activision Blizzard, and now leads brand at Chipotle as Chief Brand Officer. Audiences gain battle-tested frameworks for turning bold creativity into measurable growth.

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    Fernando Machado biography

    Marketing speaker Fernando Machado is one of the most decorated brand builders of his generation, named “Top 3 Most Influential CMO in the World” by Forbes, “Most Innovative CMO in the World” by Business Insider, and one of the “Top 100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company. Across more than three decades, he has placed creativity at the center of strategy for some of the world’s most recognizable consumer brands.

    In June 2026, speaker Fernando Machado became Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he leads global marketing, brand positioning, and customer engagement as the company advances its growth agenda. He joined Chipotle from Garnett Station Partners, a private equity firm where he served as Operating Partner, and he has advised global brands including Heineken, Mars, Kraft Heinz, and Unilever. He also co-founded the LIONS Growth MBA, a program that trains marketers to turn creativity into measurable business results.

    Before Chipotle, Machado spent two years as Chief Marketing Officer at Activision Blizzard, leading marketing for franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Candy Crush. Earlier, he dedicated seven years to Restaurant Brands International, helping reinvigorate Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons through purpose-driven strategy, modernized design, and digital innovation.

    From Dove to Chipotle: A Career Built on Bold Bets

    Machado’s foundation was forged over 18 years at Unilever, where he rose from intern to senior leadership across multiple categories and geographies. His most celebrated achievement from that era is Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches,” a campaign that redefined what purpose-driven advertising could accomplish and became one of the most-watched branded videos in history. Across every role, he has championed the conviction that creativity is not a cost center but a strategic advantage that, deployed well, separates great brands from the rest.

    As a speaker, Fernando Machado challenges audiences to rethink how they deploy creativity inside their organizations. Drawing on campaigns across consumer goods, fast food, and gaming, and on hard-won lessons from boardroom to brief, his talks equip senior marketing leaders, brand teams, and executive audiences with frameworks for turning bold creative ideas into sustained growth. Attendees leave with a clear-eyed view of what separates good marketing from legendary brand-building.

    Fernando Machado Speaking Videos

    Fernando Machado - The Future of Brands and Gaming
    Fernando Machado

    Fernando Machado Keynote Topics

    Fernando makes the case that creativity is not a soft skill but a quantifiable strategic asset. Drawing on campaigns that have shaped global brands across consumer goods, fast food, and gaming, he shows leaders how to build cultures where bold ideas thrive, how to weigh creative risk intelligently, and how creativity compounds into durable brand equity and growth.

    From Dove's 'Real Beauty Sketches' to Burger King's turnaround and Activision's gaming franchises, Fernando has led brand transformations few marketers have matched. This keynote unpacks the playbook behind reviving legacy brands: embedding purpose, modernizing identity, navigating digital disruption, and aligning creativity with commercial outcomes, with real lessons from the front line.

    As AI reshapes everything from media buying to content creation, Fernando explores what it takes to build brands in a world of infinite noise and shifting consumer values. He addresses how marketing leaders can harness AI without losing the human creative edge, how to market with genuine purpose rather than purpose-washing, and what the next generation of great brand-building looks like.

    Speaker topics

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    FAQs on Booking Fernando Machado

    Why Fernando Machado?

    Booking Fernando Machado places one of the world's most awarded marketing minds on your stage. Few executives have built iconic work across as many industries: Dove's 'Real Beauty Sketches' at Unilever, the reinvention of Burger King at Restaurant Brands International, blockbuster gaming franchises at Activision Blizzard, and now global brand leadership as Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle. Named Forbes' Top 3 Most Influential CMO and Business Insider's Most Innovative CMO in the World, he brings rare creative authority to the room. His talks don't just inspire; they hand marketing leaders and executives actionable frameworks for turning creativity into competitive advantage. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Fernando Machado to your next event.

    What is Fernando Machado's current role?

    Fernando Machado became Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill in June 2026, overseeing global marketing, brand positioning, and customer engagement. He previously served as Operating Partner at the private equity firm Garnett Station Partners, Chief Marketing Officer at Activision Blizzard, and Chief Marketing Officer at Restaurant Brands International, the parent company of Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons.

    What is Fernando Machado best known for?

    Fernando Machado is best known as one of the world's most creative and influential Chief Marketing Officers. He led Dove's 'Real Beauty Sketches' at Unilever, one of the most-watched branded videos in history, and revitalized Burger King at Restaurant Brands International through bold, purpose-driven creative work. He has been named 'Top 3 Most Influential CMO in the World' by Forbes, 'Most Innovative CMO in the World' by Business Insider, and 'Grand Brand Genius' by Adweek.

    What keynote topics does marketing speaker Fernando Machado cover?

    Marketing speaker Fernando Machado speaks at the intersection of creativity, brand strategy, and business growth: how organizations can turn bold creative thinking into measurable results, how to build and reinvent global brands, the future of marketing in an AI-driven world, and purpose-driven marketing that resonates with today's consumers. He draws on campaigns led at Unilever, Restaurant Brands International, Activision Blizzard, and Chipotle, tailoring each session for senior marketing leaders, brand teams, and C-suite executives. To book Fernando Machado, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.

    How to book Fernando Machado as a keynote speaker?

    Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Fernando Machado as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Fernando Machado's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Fernando Machado or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.

    How much is Fernando Machado speaking fee?

    Fernando Machado speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Fernando Machado to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Fernando Machado.

    How can I contact Fernando Machado?

    We only work with Fernando Machado on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Fernando Machado and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Fernando Machado speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Fernando Machado for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.

    Can I book Fernando Machado for a virtual keynote?

    Yes, Fernando Machado is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Fernando Machado for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.