AT&T, Cinemark CMOs Among 2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Award Winners — Inspire Leadership Network

Event summary

2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Awards honored CMOs from AT&T, Cinemark, Apex Partner Services, Blue Yonder, Eyemart Express, and Whitley Penn on August 28, 2026.
Kellyn Smith Kenny of AT&T received the Leadership ORBIE, while Wanda Gierhart Fearing of Cinemark won the Global ORBIE.
The event, hosted by DallasCMO, attracted nearly 150 guests representing leading North Texas organizations.
Awards were based on leadership effectiveness, business value from marketing initiatives, and industry engagement.

The big picture

The 2026 DallasCMO ORBIE Awards highlight the evolving role of CMOs as strategic drivers within their organizations, extending beyond traditional marketing functions. The recognition of executives from diverse industries—ranging from telecommunications (AT&T) to entertainment (Cinemark)—underscores the cross-sector importance of marketing leadership in business transformation. The event also reinforces the value of peer-led networks like Inspire Leadership Network in fostering executive collaboration and industry impact.

What we're watching

Leadership Impact: How the recognized CMOs will translate their leadership into measurable business outcomes for their respective companies.
Industry Trends: Whether the criteria used for the ORBIE Awards reflect broader shifts in how marketing leadership is evaluated in large enterprises.
Network Influence: The extent to which the Inspire Leadership Network can sustain its influence as a peer leadership network amid evolving executive dynamics.