John Zissimos is the Chief Marketing Officer at Okta, where he oversees the company's creative direction and brand strategy. With a rich background that includes leadership roles at Google and Salesforce, Zissimos brings over two decades of experience in advertising, design, and media. His expertise has been instrumental in shaping Okta's brand presence in the competitive identity and access management market.
Who is the CMO of Okta?
With a Bachelor's degree in Radio, Television, and Film from Temple University, John Zissimos has built a distinguished career in brand strategy, creative direction, and digital marketing. Before joining Okta as Chief Marketing Officer, he held significant roles at Google and Salesforce. At Google, he was the Vice President of Creative, Brand, Media, and Customer Programs, playing a pivotal role in the Google Cloud Platform's marketing leadership. At Salesforce, he served as Chief Design Officer, where he was instrumental in shaping the company's global brand narrative across various domains, including marketing, advertising, and product design. His extensive experience and innovative approach have been key in driving Okta's brand evolution.
Work History
John Zissimos has an extensive and diverse work history, showcasing his expertise across various roles and industries. Here is a list of the places he has worked previously:
- Armada - Chief Marketing Officer (2023 - Present)
- The 3% Movement - Board Member (2018 - Present)
- Okta - Chief Marketing Officer (2021 - 2023)
- Okta - Chief Digital Officer (2021)
- Google - VP Creative, Brand, Media & Customer Programs (2018 - 2021)
- Salesforce - Chief Design Officer (2017 - 2018)
- Salesforce - SVP, Chief Creative & Digital Officer (2012 - 2017)
- Salesforce - Executive Creative Director (2010 - 2012)
- Ad Council - Member Board Of Directors (2015 - 2017)
- Independent Film Director | Creative Director - Film Director, Creative Director, Photographer (2008 - 2010)
- Hungry Man - Director (2007 - 2008)
- McCann Erickson - Group Creative Director, SVP (2004 - 2006)
- J. Walter Thompson - Group Creative Director, Senior Partner (1995 - 2003)
- Chiat/Day - Associate Creative Director (1989 - 1995)
Education History
John Zissimos's educational journey began at Temple University, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Radio, Television, and Film. During his time at Temple, from January 1983 to January 1987, he not only focused on his major but also broadened his academic horizons with minors in Computer Science and Economics. This diverse educational background laid a strong foundation for his multifaceted career in brand strategy, creative direction, and digital marketing.
When did John Zissimos join Okta?
John Zissimos joined Okta in July 2021 as the Chief Digital Officer, a role he held until December 2021. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer in December 2021, a position he maintained until September 2023. During his tenure at Okta, Zissimos played a crucial role in driving the company's marketing strategies and enhancing its brand presence in the competitive identity and access management market. His time at Okta spanned over two years, during which he contributed significantly to the company's growth and market positioning.