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Magic Johnson Reacts After Close Friend Receives Major Honor

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 7:27 PM ET

Last week, the world’s leading marketing minds were spotlighted as Forbes unveiled its 13th annual World’s Most Influential CMOs list.

Amidst industry heavyweights and household names, including CMOs from Netflix, Walmart and Apple, Visa’s Chief Marketing Officer, Frank Cooper III, secured a coveted spot (No. 13) among the 50 honorees.

Cooper’s induction into the Most Influential CMOs list comes after helping to "redefine the role of marketing at Visa," the global payments powerhouse that processes more than $12 trillion a year.

NBA legend Magic Johnson, a friend of Cooper, posted on X on Monday to congratulate him.

"Congratulations to my good friend Frank Cooper III for being recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Influential CMOs of 2025 as well as being named to the Forbes CMO Hall of Fame. It’s been a pleasure to personally witness his journey in the business world and I know Frank has so much more to accomplish!" Johnson said.

Congratulations to my good friend Frank Cooper III for being recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Influential CMOs of 2025 as well as being named to the Forbes CMO Hall of Fame. It’s been a pleasure to personally witness his journey in the business world and I know…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 23, 2025

Early in his career, prior to his current role at Visa, Cooper co-founded Urban Box Office Networks, the largest online platform focused on urban culture, before taking on senior roles at Motown Records and Def Jam.

From 2001 to 2003, he oversaw interactive marketing at America Online, then led PepsiCo’s consumer engagement and entertainment marketing from 2008 through 2015.

During that tenure, he negotiated multibillion-dollar NFL sponsorships and launched several major initiatives, such as the "Pepsi Refresh Project," which awarded $20 million in grants to individuals, businesses and non-profits for positive change in the community.

Johnson, meanwhile, stands as one of basketball’s most iconic figures.

Drafted first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979, Johnson led the "Showtime" Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, earning three regular-season MVP awards, three Finals MVPs and 12 All-Star selections.

Johnson and Cooper’s paths have crossed repeatedly over the last decade, both through Visa events and personal social gatherings.

In 2023, Johnson publicly thanked Cooper during a standing-room-only Visa headquarters event, calling him “my good friend” and lauding his ability to bring energy and innovation to every initiative.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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