The role is unique because of its reporting structure: White will report to chief customer officer, Janey Whiteside. In most organizations, the CMO reports directly to the CEO.
While Walmart hasn’t explained the reason for the reporting relationship, it has more recently prioritized the customer experience. The company has focused on transparency and community relations, among other areas. It has also expanded local engagement and support for non-profit organizations in recent marketing efforts. The company has even offered drive-thru COVID-19 testing in its parking lots.