The «CMO of the Year Award» recognises marketing managers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to shaping and developing their brand. This year, the award goes to Martin Walthert, Chief Marketing Officer at Digitec Galaxus.

Walthert and his team of around 70 people have been responsible for Digitec and Galaxus campaigns for years. Much of the work is done in-house. The team regularly takes an unconventional approach – with proven success: the company's sales and brand awareness have grown steadily.

Every year, personalities who are particularly committed to their brand, put customers first, take sustainability into account and are role models as leaders are nominated for the award. The award seeks out people who break new ground and create real added value for companies and consumers alike.

The candidates are nominated by 24 experts from the fields of business, marketing, research, media, consulting and education. The Institute for Marketing & Consumer Insight at the University of St. Gallen evaluates the nominations and compiles a longlist. From this, the jury selects a shortlist of six nominees.

A special highlight this year was the first double nomination: Sara Jerman and Angelika Leemann from Rivella. Also on the shortlist were (in alphabetical order): Gregor Eicher (Bank Cler), Marco Greco (Ochsner Sport), Sonia Milici (Yuh) and Martin Schweikert (BKW).

After receiving the awards for «dvertiser of the Year 2020» and «Marketing Thought Leader 2022», Martin Walthert has now also been named «CMO of the Year 2025». He started his career directly at Digitec Galaxus after completing his studies and has been working there since 2006. Today, as CMO, he focuses on a clear in-house strategy with short decision-making processes. Since he joined the company, its turnover has risen from 62 million to 3.228 billion Swiss francs.

The award ceremony took place on Thursday, 21 August 2025, at the Papiersaal in Zurich in front of 120 invited guests. Vanessa Meier hosted the evening for the third time. The guest of the spotlight session was David Degen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of FC Basel 1893. After the ceremony, guests celebrated with music from DJane Carol Fernandez.

The «CMO of the Year» is an initiative of the Serviceplan Group Switzerland (Serviceplan Suisse AG, Mediaplus Suisse AG and Plan.Net Suisse AG) in partnership with Admeira, APG, 20 Minuten, m&k, persönlich, swissmarketing and the University of St. Gallen.