David Sandström is the CMO of Klarna, where he has helped transform the company from a Swedish fintech challenger into a global consumer brand trusted by 114 million users across 26 markets. Early in his tenure, he cut through crowded financial categories with bold, culture-driving campaigns featuring talent like Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, and A$AP Rocky, earning Klarna 30 seconds of attention in a world dominated by legacy banks.

Following Klarna’s US$17bn IPO, David redirected that cultural momentum toward education and utility, helping consumers move beyond outdated banking models and positioning Klarna as a “human bank” powered by AI. Recognised by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Influential CMOs, he has re-engineered Klarna’s marketing function into one of the most advanced AI-enabled teams, demonstrating how a lean organisation can operate at global scale without sacrificing creativity.