What’s Happening in Promotion & Marketing
Vans has appointed footwear industry veteran Drieke Leenknegt as its new Global Chief Marketing Officer. Serving in leadership roles with Timberland and Nike prior to arriving at Vans, Drieke brings more than 20 years of knowledge across marketing and communications.
Hormel Foods, has appointed Scott Aakre as CMO of the Hormel Foods Retail business, which include such brands as Planters, Skippy, Dinty Moore, Hormel chili, Corn Nuts, Herdez and SPAM. Aakre most recently was Sr. V.P., Brand Fuel, which includes the company’s innovation and shopper insights teams.
Dutch Bros, one of the fastest-growing brands in the foodservice and restaurant industry in the U.S. by location count, has appointed Tana Davila as Chief Marketing Officer. As CMO, Davila will oversee brand and product marketing, creative and the Dutch Bros rewards program.
Serta Simmons Bedding, Inc., a leading global sleep company, has appointed Tim Oakhill CMO. Oakhill previously held various marketing roles including Chief Marketing Officer at Simmons Bedding. In these roles, Oakhill drove significant sales growth. More recently, he founded one of the industry’s first direct-to-consumer brands, Yogabed.
Subway announced new senior leadership appointments. Former EMEA President, Mike Kehoe, will return to the U.S. as Global Chief Development Officer, focused on setting the global strategy for traditional and nontraditional development In addition, Subway has promoted Cristina Wells to Sr. Vice President of U.S. Marketing.
Marco’s Pizza has appointed Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer. Lauer has an extensive background developing high-performing, data-driven marketing and communications strategies for both startups and leading brands, including Morton Salt, PepsiCo – Quaker Foods & Snacks, FedEx, and Eaton Corp.
Tractor Beverage, one of North America’s fastest-growing beverage brands, has appointed Gus Rios as Sr. V.P., Marketing. Rios brings a wealth of experience to the company, including recent roles at Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. Rios will oversee the company’s brand strategy, advertising, and customer engagement.
Sutherland Packaging, a leader in corrugated p.o.p. displays, has expanded its digital print capabilities with the world’s second HP Pagewide C550 Digital Press. Sutherland is among the first U.S. suppliers to add the newest generation of HP’s single-pass digital press, which features offset-quality printing in more than 16,000 vibrant colors at speeds comparable to conventional […]
Rite Aid has named Jeanniey Walden as Sr. V.P & Chief Marketing Officer. Walden will play a critical role in the company’s growth strategy to help create meaningful customer and member experiences. She will also oversee the expansion of Rite Aid’s ice cream brand, Thrifty.
Bacardi has announced the appointment of Roberto Ramirez Laverde as Global SVP, BACARDI rum. Ramirez Laverde takes on an open role following the promotion of Ned Duggan to Global Chief Marketing Officer of Bacardi and President of Bacardi Global Brands Limited. Ramirez Laverde reports to Duggan and joins the Marketing Leadership Team. During his previous […]
Levi Strauss & Co. has appointed Kenny Mitchell as Sr. V.P. & Chief Marketing Officer of the Levi’s brand. Mitchell will be responsible for advancing the Levi’s brand’s consumer marketing strategies, focused on building denim leadership equity, cementing its position as a true lifestyle brand and growing market share. Mitchell joins Levi Strauss & Co. […]
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has appointed Melody Lee as Chief Marketing Officer. Melody Lee joins MBUSA from global design company MillerKnoll, where she served as Sr. V.P., Global Brand & Product Marketing, leading brand strategy across Herman Miller and Knoll’s products.
Stila Cosmetics has appointed Mary Rodrigues as Chief Marketing Officer. Rodrigues will oversee brand and product marketing, creative, consumer insights, membership, and global communications. Rodrigues was formerly the Sr. VP., Marketing and E-commerce for RéVive skincare.
CEC Entertainment has appointed Sean Gleason as Chief Marketing Officer for Chuck E. Cheese, and its virtual kitchen brands, including Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings. Gleason will lead all marketing functions, menu innovation, guest insights, communications, as well as digital marketing and consumer journey initiatives.
Herbert Aaron Henschel, who led Henschel-Steinau Inc. for 50 years, passed away on May 3, 2023. Aaron Henschel built Henschel-Steinau, based in Allendale, NJ, into one of the most dominant forces in the Point of Purchase Advertising Industry.
Asad Ayaz has been named the first-ever Chief Brand Officer of The Walt Disney Co. Ayaz will be responsible for elevating the Disney brand globally across the entire ecosystem of company touchpoints and consumer experiences. Ayaz will continue as Pres., Marketing for Walt Disney Studios, overseeing marketing for the Studios’ films and series as well […]
Canada Goose has appointed Ana Mihaljevic as Head of Global Stores, in addition to her current role of Pres., North America. She will lead the brand’s retail expansion championing Canada Goose’s plans to more than double its footprint over the next five years.
The Honest Co. has appointed Kate Barton as its Chief Growth Officer. Barton will oversee Honest’s baby, beauty, wellness, personal care and household care categories. Barton previously was Chief Brand Officer of Magnolia, the lifestyle company founded by Joanna and Chip Gaines.
Kohler has appointed Samie Barr as Chief Brand Officer. This role was created to fuel strategic acceleration and further elevate the KOHLER brand globally. Barr will lead global creative, media and digital capabilities and the global teams responsible for the brand experience. Barr joins Kohler from CB2, a division of Crate and Barrel Holdings, where […]
Kia America has named Brad Mays as director, brand experience. Mays will lead all aspects of public relations and external communications including events, experiential, auto shows and strategic partnerships. Mays brings more than 25 years of marketing experience to Kia, having most recently served as the Global Head of Communications Strategy & Insights for Nissan […]