Each year, most European countries recognize their National Marketing Champion. The EMC now seeks to identify the best among these champions through a formal competition to crown the European Marketer of the Year 2026. All marketing associations across Europe were invited to nominate their National Marketing Champion, and the first phase of the selection process has now concluded, revealing the final candidates.

A professional jury will interview these shortlisted candidates and select the ultimate winner. The European Marketer of the Year 2026 will be crowned on April 23nd in Vilnius, during the LIMA Award ceremony.

As national champions, the finalists have already proven their excellence in their respective countries, making their nomination for the European Marketer of the Year a significant honor. This award is proudly supported by fourteen leading marketing associations across Europe, ensuring that only the best of the best compete for this prestigious recognition.

The finalists in random order are:

·         Stijn Mentrop-Hulisan  McDonalds                                        (The Netherlands)

·         Laurence Herbeert         Puratos                                                (Belgium)

·         Ádám Mérő                       Coca Cola                                            (Hungary)

·         Orla Mitchell                    WaterWipes (previous)                        (Ireland)

·         Vaida Jurkoniene            Telia                                                      (Lithuania)

·         Sergio Leal                         McDonalds                                      (Portugal)

·         César Romera                   Kyndryl                                              (Spain)

·         Carolina Eggertsson       Tele 2                                                   (Sweden)

·         Marco Greco                     Ochsner Sport                                  (Switzerland)   

·         Werner Lampert              Werner Lampert Beratung              (Austria)

EMC is proud to recognise these outstanding marketers who have demonstrated exceptional strategic management skills, driving results and building sustainable businesses across the region and globally.  Professional marketers bring a strategic, customer-centric approach that translates into sustainable competitive advantage in the market.  This shortlist represents the very best of marketing professionalism in Europe and serves as an inspiration for the next generation of business and marketing graduates as they embark on their careers.