DALLAS, Aug. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Awards honored leading chief marketing officers (CMOs) from Cinemark, Apex Partner Services, Blue Yonder, Eyemart Express, Whitley Penn & AT&T for their exceptional leadership. Hosted by DallasCMO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network, the prestigious awards honor CMOs who drive business transformation and industry impact. View finalists, partners, and more on the Digital ORBIE Feature.
Held at the Dallas Marriott - Downtown, the ceremony brought together top executives and industry leaders to honor excellence in marketing leadership across six award categories.
"Today's chief marketing officers do far more than build brands. They shape business strategy, accelerate growth, and help organizations navigate constant change," said Derek Thomas, DallasCMO Chair. "The ORBIE Awards recognize the leaders whose vision, innovation, and measurable impact are advancing both the marketing profession and the organizations they serve."
Meet the 2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Award Winners:
- Kellyn Smith Kenny, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, AT&T, received the Leadership ORBIE.
- Wanda Gierhart Fearing, EVP, Chief Marketing & Content Officer, Cinemark, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $1.5 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations.
- Famous Rhodes, CMO, Apex Partner Services, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $2.5 billion annual revenue.
- Patricia Harris, CMO, Blue Yonder, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $1.5 billion annual revenue.
- Katy Hanson, CMO, Eyemart Express, received the Large Corporate ORBIE for organizations over $300 million annual revenue.
- Kristen Lollar, CMO, Whitley Penn, received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $300 million annual revenue.
About the ORBIE:
The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria:
- Leadership and management effectiveness
- Business value created by marketing initiatives
- Engagement in industry and community endeavors
DallasCMO ORBIE Keynote & Attendance:
The keynote address for the DallasCMO ORBIE Awards was delivered by Kellyn Smith Kenny, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, AT&T, who was interviewed by Thaddeus Arroyo, Chief Strategy and Development Officer (fmr), AT&T. Nearly 150 guests attended, representing leading North Texas organizations and their marketing partners.
The following partners made the 2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Awards possible:
- Underwriters: Concord
- Gold Partners: iProspect & npn360
- Silver Partners: Brodeur Partners & Freeman+Leonard
- Bronze Partners: Between Pixels & BrainLabs
- Media Partner: Dallas Business Journal
- National Partner: Year Up United
To learn more about partnership opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, click here.
About DallasCMO:
DallasCMO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief marketing officers (CMOs) in North Texas. As one of over 50 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, DallasCMO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions.
DallasCMO is led by a CMO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain member-led and exclusive to qualified CMOs and members.
About Inspire Leadership Network:
Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across over 50 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today’s most challenging executive roles.
Media Contact
Nicole Lammes
nicole.lammes@inspirecxo.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50174566-2562-4138-8ffe-77755a109a40
