Funding Signals – Activity Through January 20, 2026
Highlights Skild AI raised $1.4B (Series C) led by SoftBank Group Skild AI is building a foundation model for robotics. The company said its model is designed to work across different robot types, with training in simulation and real-world data. It also said enterprise tasks come first, with an eventual goal of robotics in consumer homes, and that the new capital will support model training and deployment. Agency lens: As deployments broaden, proof-point stor… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
How Oakland’s First CMCO Is Reframing Enrollment Marketing
An analysis of the executive conversation and our research, surfacing the priorities and opportunity lanes agencies can leverage to win new business. At A Glance Interviewee: Chris Foley Pilsner, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Company: Oakland University Estimated Revenue: $318 Million Location: Rochester, Michigan Website: https://oakland.edu/ Industry: Public research university; higher education Company Notes: Mid-sized public research institution serving r… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
CMO Moves – Week of January 19, 2026
Alison Wagonfeld named Chief Marketing Officer at NVIDIA NVIDIA named Alison Wagonfeld its first Chief Marketing Officer, bringing marketing and communications under a single top seat. The announcement says she will report to CEO Jensen Huang and that all members of NVIDIA’s marketing and communications team will report to her. Wagonfeld comes from Google Cloud, where she was vice president of marketing and wrote that she helped build the business “from a promising start-up in 2016 to a thriving ($60 billion) run-rate business today.” Agency lens: With marketing + comms centralized, expect more integrated platform storytelling and partner marketing—especially tied to Omniverse-based creative workflows and collaborations with holding companies/agencies. Press release Company website Executive’s LinkedIn Lujean Smith named Chief Marketing Officer at GlobalLogic GlobalLogic appointed LuJean Smith as Chief Marketing Officer, positioning marketing as a “growth engine” to elevate the brand and showcase AI capabilities and collaboration within the Hitachi Group. The announcement says she will spearhead global marketing strategy, lead high-impact multi-channel campaigns, and showcase GlobalLogic VelocityAI (its AI-powered service offerings), aligned to Hitachi’s “Inspire 2027” strategic priorities. Smith brings 30 years of marketing leadership, including senior marketing and communications roles at GE, Siemens, Accenture, and Cognizant. Agency lens: This is set up for brand positioning work, integrated comms, and campaign development around VelocityAI and the GlobalLogic–Hitachi value story—built for enterprise buyers. Press release Company website Executive’s LinkedIn Shannon Scott named Chief Marketing Officer at Hawaiian Bros Island Grill Hawaiian Bros named Shannon Scott Chief Marketing Officer as the chain prepares for rapid national expansion and franchise growth. The announcement says she will oversee national and local marketing, digital engagement, menu storytelling, and market entry strategies after serving in a fractional capacity for the past year. Scott’s background includes chief strategy officer and deputy EVP at the American Academy of Family Physicians, plus more than a decade as a marketing executive at Applebee’s supporting franchise operators. Agency lens: Expect franchise-ready marketing systems—local launch playbooks, digital engagement programs, and creative that scales menu storytelling consistently across new markets. Press release Company website Executive’s LinkedIn All Appointments The following is a complete list of CMO appointments and transitions tracked this week across industries. CMO Moves are tracked weekly based on public announcements, filings, and market intelligence. Not every leadership change results in agency engagement, but historically, these moments often precede strategic reviews and realignment of partners.
Where Agencies Can Help Eightfold Operationalize Its AI Story
An analysis of the executive conversation and our research, surfacing the priorities and opportunity lanes agencies can leverage to win new business. At A Glance Interviewee: Navneet “Nav” Singh, Chief Marketing Officer Company: Eightfold AI Estimated Revenue: $160 Million Location: Silicon Valley, California Website: www.eightfold.ai Industry: AI-powered talent intelligence and HR technology platform for enterprises Company Notes: AI-native talent platform with 100+ enterpr… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
Town of Pittsboro Integrated Marketing to Drive Visits, Foot Traffic, and Investment
At a Glance Buyer: Town of Pittsboro, North Carolina Industry: Local Government / Economic Development / Tourism Location/markets: Downtown Pittsboro, North Carolina (residents, visitors, entrepreneurs, investors) Primary scope: Integrated marketing services for Downtown Pittsboro Key deliverables/channels: Weekly social content (reels + photography); event marketing; economic development collateral; wayfinding/signage design manual; exper… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
National Forest Foundation Seeks Growth Marketing Partner For $400K Paid Media + Creative
At a Glance Buyer: National Forest Foundation (NFF) Industry: Nonprofit / Conservation / Public Lands Location/markets: United States (national audiences) Primary scope: Growth marketing and paid media agency support Key deliverables/channels: Social media audit; campaign strategy + creative assets; paid media plan + buys; “always-on” lead gen/email capture; monthly reporting; bi-annual strategic reviews Budget: $400,000 total (agency fees + media placement/ad buyi… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
Oregon Health Authority Hiring AOR-Style Comms Team for Family Connects Oregon With $400K Budget
At a Glance Buyer: Oregon Health Authority (Public Health Division, Family Connects Oregon Program) Industry: Public Health (State Government) Location/markets: Oregon statewide; families with newborns; hospitals/medical providers; local program sites Primary scope: Strategic communications to increase awareness, acceptance, and use of Family Connects Oregon Key deliverables/channels: Brand + campaign strategy; multiplatform media buy; soc… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
State of Michigan Seeks Statewide Marketing and Advertising Vendor Pool With Media Buying
At a Glance Buyer: State of Michigan (DTMB – Procurement) Industry: Government / Public Sector Location/markets: Michigan (statewide; general public) Primary scope: Creative Media Advertising and Digital Media Marketing Services Key deliverables/channels: Campaign planning; creative; paid media planning/buying; production; PR/earned media (as needed); TV/streaming, radio/streaming, social/digital, out-of-home/transit, print, translated mat… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
Tennessee Department Of Tourist Development: Brand and Campaign Work With Major Media Spend
At a Glance Buyer: State Of Tennessee — Department Of Tourist Development Industry: Travel/Tourism (State Government) Location/markets: Tennessee; in-state and out-of-state tourism audiences; domestic + international markets Primary scope: Marketing, advertising, and public relations services for Tennessee tourism Key deliverables/channels: Brand + sub-brand development; creative concepting; campaign production/execution; PR; performance analytics + reporting; tourism websites/digital platforms Budget: Estimated $25–$30M annual spend; public relations services estimated at $500,000 annually Contract type/term: State contract; 5 years Key dates: Questions deadline: Jan 21, 2026 (2 PM CT); Proposal deadline: Feb 25, 2026 (2 PM CT); Oral presentations: Mar 24–25 & 27, 2026; Notice of Intent to Award: Apr 13, 2026 (2PM CT) Eligibility/must-haves: $1,000,000 line of credit letter; indicate whether annual billing meets/exceeds $20,000,000; domestic + international media placement experience; meet IT security requirement option; provide research tools (State will not procure) Why This Could Be Interesting The State of Tennessee’s Department of Tourist Development is seeking a contractor to support its tourism growth goals—specifically increasing both in-state and out-of-state travel to Tennessee. They’re procuring marketing, advertising, and public relations services, including brand and sub-brand development, creative concepting, and the production and execution of advertising campaigns. The RFP also calls out performance analytics and reporting, and work that boosts engagement across the State’s designated tourism websites and digital platforms. The headline signal is scale: the State estimates $25–$30M in annual spend, and notes public relations spend is estimated at $500,000 annually. The contract term is five years, creating long-run upside if you can navigate a formal, stakeholder-heavy environment. The State expects domestic and international media placement and requires the contractor to provide its own research tools and resources for research and reporting, fully operational at contract execution (the State will not provide or procure research tools on behalf of the Contractor). Mandatory requirements also include a $1,000,000 line of credit and disclosure of whether annual billing meets or exceeds $20,000,000. Best suited for mid-to-large agencies with destination/tourism experience, strong domestic + international media buying, integrated creative/PR, and a mature analytics + web/ADA practice. Proposal deadline: February 25, 2026, at 2 PM CT Download the full RFP here.
M&A Signals – Deals Announced Through January 14, 2026
Highlights CrowdStrike acquired SGNL CrowdStrike, which sells the Falcon security platform, is buying SGNL, an identity-management SaaS company. CrowdStrike says the combination is meant to secure identity access for human users and AI agents across hybrid and cloud environments. The release notes financial terms weren’t disclosed, though it cites a $740M figure, and it frames the deal as an expansion of its next-gen identity security offering. Agency lens: E… Get Unlimited NextBigWin Access Subscribe to become a NextBigWin Pro member and get access to all our exclusive content. Turn access and intelligence into your next big client win. Already a member? Login Subscribe to NextBigWin Pro
