Mastercard names Accenture veteran global CMO as Raja Rajamannar steps down

Mastercard has appointed Jill Kramer (pictured left) as its new chief marketing and communications officer, effective 1 December 2025.

Kramer joins the company from Accenture, where she held the same title and led a global, tech-driven marketing and communications function focused on brand relevance, market differentiation, and business growth.

She succeeds Raja Rajamannar (picture right), who will transition to the role of senior fellow at Mastercard. In a LinkedIn post unveiling the move, Rajamannar reflected on his 12-year journey with the brand, calling it “one of the most fulfilling chapters” of his life.

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He credited his team for reimagining what marketing could be, from pioneering multisensory marketing and introducing symbol branding to creating Mastercard’s global sonic identity.

“Together, we brought various elements of quantum marketing to life,” he said. “At every step, we stayed true to the three mantras of great marketing — to build and nurture the brand, to drive business in measurable ways, and to create a sustainable competitive edge for the company.”

Rajamannar added that he was “thankful for the people, the memories, and the privilege of being part of something truly priceless,” as he passes the baton to Kramer.

Meanwhile, during her decade at Accenture, Kramer oversaw brand and advertising efforts that helped the company nearly double its brand value, from US$12 billion to US$20.9 billion, according to Interbrand’s “Best global brands” ranking.

Prior to joining Accenture in 2015, she held senior leadership roles at BBDO and DDB, driving award-winning business-to-business brand development and marketing for brands such as AT&T and ExxonMobil.

Kramer also serves on the board of directors of the Ad Council and has been named one of Forbes’ “Most influential CMOs” for three consecutive years.

“We are excited to welcome Kramer to Mastercard as our new chief marketing and communications officer. Kramer’s global perspective and deep expertise in B2B marketing will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate our growth and innovation. Her leadership and vision are exactly what we need for this next chapter,” said Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard.

Speaking on Rajamannar’s tenure, Miebach said his impact on both the company and the wider marketing industry “has been nothing short of transformative”.

“His creativity, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence have inspired all of us and helped make Mastercard one of the world’s most admired brands. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and look forward to his continued contributions,” he added. 

Kramer steps into the role at a time when Mastercard is expanding its marketing and data capabilities. The company recently launched Mastercard Commerce Media, a digital media network designed to streamline how brands reach consumers through personalised advertising.

The network leverages Mastercard’s position as a payments provider, combining permissioned data, technology infrastructure, and connections to advertisers, publishers, and consumers. It taps into Mastercard’s base of 25,000 advertisers and more than 500 million enrolled consumers, drawing insights from over 160 billion transactions processed in 2024.

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