Sonos Undergoes Leadership Shake-Up as Chief Marketing Officer Departs
Sonos is experiencing a significant leadership shift as Jordan Saxemard, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, has officially departed. His exit, announced internally on February 10, 2025, marks yet another leadership change for the well-known audio brand. As Sonos struggles with internal challenges and market pressures, this transition comes at a critical time for the company.
In the interim, Lindsay Whitworth, a veteran Sonos executive with over two decades at the company, will oversee marketing responsibilities. Whitworth’s experience will be essential as Sonos searches for a permanent replacement to guide its marketing strategy forward.
A Short but Challenging Tenure
Saxemard joined Sonos in May 2024, after nearly three years at Dyson. However, his tenure at Sonos was brief and filled with notable difficulties. His vision did not fully align with the company’s strategic direction, and his leadership faced setbacks, particularly in product marketing and user experience.
One of the most significant challenges during his time at Sonos was the launch of the revamped mobile app. The new app aimed to enhance user experience but was met with strong criticism due to missing features and persistent technical issues. Customers, particularly longtime Sonos users, voiced their frustration online, leading to negative publicity for the brand.
Marketing efforts under Saxemard also struggled to connect with consumers. A prime example was the campaign for the Sonos Ace headphones. Despite a large-scale marketing push, including prominent advertisements in New York City subways, the messaging failed to highlight the headphones’ key features effectively. The highly anticipated “TV Audio Swap” feature, which could have been a strong selling point, was not clearly communicated to potential buyers. As a result, customer engagement with the product fell short of expectations, missing an opportunity to solidify Sonos’ position in the headphone market.
Sonos at a Crucial Crossroads
Saxemard’s departure is part of a broader wave of changes at Sonos. In January 2025, Chief Commercial Officer Deirdre Findlay also left the company. These exits coincide with a challenging period for Sonos, as it recently laid off 200 employees—a sign of deeper restructuring efforts as the company rethinks its strategic priorities.
Navigating these changes is interim CEO Tom Conrad, who has stepped in to stabilize the organization. His immediate priorities include improving product reliability, refining user experience, and ensuring future product launches align more closely with customer expectations. Restoring consumer trust remains a top priority, especially as Sonos works to reinforce its reputation for high-quality audio products.
Company Response and Future Direction
Following Saxemard’s exit, Sonos released a statement acknowledging his contributions and confirming that Lindsay Whitworth would lead the marketing team while the search for a new CMO continues.
“We thank him for his contributions to the company. Lindsay Whitworth, Vice President of Global Consumer Direct, will lead the marketing team in the interim. A search for a new marketing leader is underway,” the statement read.
As Sonos looks ahead, its leadership team faces the challenge of regaining lost momentum. With its strong legacy in premium audio, the company has the potential to course-correct and refocus on delivering high-quality products that meet customer expectations. The coming months will be critical as Sonos works to rebuild trust, refine its product strategy, and strengthen its position in a competitive market. Industry analysts and consumers alike will be watching closely to see how the company navigates these changes.
