John Hogan, born on May 5, 1943, in Sydney, Australia, was a pivotal figure in motorsport marketing, particularly within Formula 1. As the Vice President of Marketing at Philip Morris International, he was instrumental in establishing Marlboro's prominent presence in the racing world.

Hogan's journey in motorsport began in the early 1970s when he joined Philip Morris. Recognizing the potential of Formula 1 as a global marketing platform, he spearheaded Marlboro's sponsorship initiatives, starting with the BRM team in 1972. By 1974, Marlboro had become the title sponsor for McLaren, a partnership that yielded significant success, including James Hunt's World Championship in 1976.