Marques E. Zak serves as the Atlantic Coast Conference's first-ever Chief Marketing & Brand Officer, leading the Conference's marketing and brand strategy across digital, social, creative and live experiences. Reporting directly to the Commissioner and serving on the ACC's Executive Staff, he is responsible for strengthening the Conference's visibility, reputation and fan engagement in partnership with its 18 member institutions.
Since joining the ACC in 2025, Zak has established a new strategic marketing framework focused on modernizing the Conference's brand, expanding audience engagement and elevating storytelling across 28 sports. His leadership has helped introduce a bolder creative direction, new approaches to fan engagement and an evolving marketing organization designed to position the ACC for long-term growth.
Previously, Zak served as Head of Multicultural Marketing at American Express, where he launched the company's first enterprise-wide multicultural marketing strategy and developed campaigns and partnerships that expanded the brand's relevance among Gen Z and millennial audiences. His work earned him induction into the 2024 AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement and American Express's Edward P. Gilligan Award for Innovation, the company's highest employee honor. Earlier, he spent nine years at PepsiCo, guiding brand strategy and execution for a $1.2 billion Frito-Lay North America business unit, and began his career as a Strategy Consultant with Deloitte.
Beyond his professional achievements, Zak is an active industry and community leader. He co-chairs the Alvin Ailey Young Patrons Circle, previously served on the Cornell University Council and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College and former captain of the Maroon Tigers track and field team, Zak earned his MBA from Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is a recipient of the Wilbur J. Parker Distinguished Black Alumni Award and the Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Award and was an inaugural member of the Johnson Recent Alumni Council.