Zalando is strengthening its leadership team to accelerate its strategy as the leading pan-European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle. Effective 15 July 2026, Ray Cao will join the company as Senior Vice President of Zalando Partner Marketing Services (ZMS) to scale the company's retail media unit, elevate its data-driven advertising solutions, and drive mutual growth for more than 7,000 brand partners across Europe. ZMS is Zalando's dedicated retail media unit.
It leverages the richest fashion-specific data and infrastructure in Europe, including billions of customer interactions and deep product intelligence, to provide brand partners with powerful, data-driven advertising solutions. By connecting brands with millions of customers across Europe, ZMS powers a virtuous cycle: creating inspiring, personally relevant experiences that help brands grow efficiently while making the platform even more valuable to consumers. Ray Cao brings an incredible track record in building and scaling global organisations.
A true veteran in the Ad Tech space, he has worked with some of the most influential platforms in the world. He served as a founding member and leader of TikTok's global monetisation team, where he helped scale the platform's advertising business into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse. His specific expertise in scaling social commerce aligns perfectly with Zalando's strategic focus on capturing major new opportunities in social and agentic commerce channels.
His journey also includes key leadership roles during the early days of Google Shopping and in the FinTech space at Intuit. Ray brings a leadership style deeply rooted in transparency, a customer-first mindset and a strong commitment to championing diversity and inclusion. As Ray steps into this role, Joanna Rogers will dedicate her undivided focus to her remit as SVP Propositions, a scope which includes all Zalando's consumer fashion and lifestyle offerings, as well as partner platform business.
Joanna has led ZMS with huge success and dedication over the past 1.5 years. Since late 2025, she has also overseen the development of all Zalando fashion and lifestyle offerings, including Fashion, Sports, Beauty, Kids & Family, Pre-Owned, Lounge and Designer, alongside the Partner Platform business. This transition reflects the substantial growth of both business areas, which now require fully dedicated leadership to thrive and unlock their full potential.
