Marques Zak '05, MBA Named the Inaugural Chief Marketing Officer Of The Atlantic Coast Coference

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced the hiring of Marques E. Zak '05 as its first Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, marking a significant step in the Conference’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand and expand fan engagement.

 
“Marques is a proven marketing innovator whose leadership has consistently brought brands closer to their audiences in authentic and impactful ways,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “His vision and experience will be invaluable as we continue to elevate the ACC brand, celebrate our student-athletes, and deepen engagement across our 18 member institutions.”
 
"In this newly created role, Zak will set and execute the ACC’s marketing and brand strategy, overseeing all initiatives across digital, social, and live experiences to strengthen fan engagement and broaden the Conference’s reach, reputation and visibility. He will report directly to the Commissioner and serve on the ACC’s Executive staff, contributing to the strategic vision of the Conference.
 
“I am honored to join Commissioner Phillips and his team as the ACC’s first Chief Marketing and Brand Officer,” said Zak. “The ACC has a proud tradition of excellence on and off the field, and I look forward to working with our member institutions to celebrate our student-athletes and engage fans in new and meaningful ways.”
 
"Zak joins the ACC from American Express, where he served as Head of Multicultural Marketing and launched the company’s first enterprise-wide multicultural marketing strategy, building campaigns and partnerships that deepened relevance with Gen Z and millennial audiences. He was recognized for his work, including induction into the 2024 AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo, guiding brand strategy and execution for a $1.2 billion Frito-Lay North America business unit. He began his career as a Strategy Consultant at Deloitte, specializing in M&A strategy and integration.
 
"Beyond his professional achievements, Zak is an active industry and community leader. He serves on the Cornell University Council, is Co-Chair of the Alvin Ailey Young Patrons Circle, and is an inaugural member of the ADCOLOR Leaders Advisory Board. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, where he captained the Maroon Tigers track and field team, Zak earned his MBA from Cornell University.