Fernando Machado
Chief Marketing Officer
NotCo
Known as an expert and innovator in his field, Fernando Machado is currently the CMO of NotCo, the international plant-based food tech unicorn valued at $1.5 billion. His creative approach is evidenced by NotCo’s proprietary, first-of-its-kind AI technology, Giuseppe, which analyzes thousands of plants in its database to come up with unique combinations that replicate animal-based products almost to perfection. In this role, he also spearheads a variety of unique growth tactic opportunities including food service and like-minded consumer brand partnerships. Prior to joining NotCo, Fernando spent two years as CMO of Activision Blizzard, and before that served as CMO for seven years at Restaurant Brands International (RBI) working on brands like Burger King and Popeyes. He started his career as an intern at Unilever, where he worked on various brands over the course of his 18-year tenure, last serving as Global Brand Development VP for Dove. Throughout his career, he’s orchestrated iconic brand marketing moments, including the Moldy Whopper, Dove Real Beauty Sketches and the Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich media frenzy.
Career Highlights
Finalist for a panel at SXSW 2024 alongside Shake Shack CMO Jay Livingston
Frequents podcasts such as Adweek’s Marketing Vanguard, Lippincott’s Icons in the Making, The CMO Podcast with Jim Stengel, Uncensored CMO with Jon Evans and more
Named Adweek Grand Brand Genius in 2013 and 2018 (an award that’s never been won twice by the same person)
Numerous accolades including AD Club of NY Marketer of the Year (2017), Business Insider Top 10 Most Innovative CMOs (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020), AdAge Top 50 Most Creative People in the Business (2017), Forbes Top 3 Most Influential CMO in the World (2020, 2021 and 2022), One Club CMO of the Year (2022), WFA Global Marketer Hall of Fame (2022)
