Stephanie Fried Appointed as CMO to Lead Global Marketing Strategy at McAfee

McAfee Corp., a global company focused on consumer online protection, has announced the appointment of Stephanie Fried as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Fried will oversee all global marketing and communications for McAfee, guiding the company’s efforts to expand its presence among consumers and strengthen engagement across key markets.

Prior to joining McAfee, Fried served as CMO at Fandom, where she led marketing for a broad range of entertainment-focused brands, including TV Guide, Metacritic, and GameSpot. During her time at Fandom, she played a central role in scaling its monthly audience to over 350 million users, with a strategy rooted in audience development, data-driven decision making, and consumer-focused brand work.

At McAfee, Fried steps into a leadership role at a time when the company is emphasizing its exclusive commitment to consumer protection. Moving beyond its reputation as an antivirus software provider, McAfee now offers a broader portfolio that includes identity, privacy, and personal security services. In her new position, Fried will be tasked with increasing awareness of this evolution and introducing the legacy brand to a new generation of users, while maintaining value and continuity for its current customer base. She will report directly to Craig Boundy, President and CEO of McAfee.

In a statement, Boundy highlighted Fried’s experience in digital transformation and consumer engagement, noting that her understanding of what drives audience connection would support McAfee’s mission of making online safety more accessible and relevant to users globally.

Fried brings more than two decades of experience in marketing, research, and analytics, having held leadership roles at media and technology firms such as Conde Nast, Discovery Communications, VEVO, and NBC Universal. At Conde Nast, she led analytics and marketing across prominent publications including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Vogue, with a focus on expanding digital reach and engagement. Her earlier roles at Discovery, VEVO, and NBC Universal centered on developing data-informed marketing frameworks and enhancing digital user experiences across platforms.

Reflecting on her new role, Fried stated that McAfee is positioned to support digital confidence for individuals and families, as more aspects of life move online. She emphasized the importance of tools that not only secure personal and financial information but also promote a sense of control in an increasingly connected world. She said her priority would be to create meaningful brand experiences that resonate with consumers and reflect the values McAfee has built over nearly four decades.

Stephanie Fried holds a BA in History with honors from the University of Michigan and an MBA in Marketing Management from Columbia Business School.