Staffing

Marco's names veteran marketing strategist as CMO

September 15, 2020

Marco's Pizza has hired one of the key agency players in the strategy behind its brand assignment three years ago to lead its marketing operations. Chris Tussing will join the company as vice president and CMO Sept. 29, according to a news release.

Tussing was Chicago office president and network CMO at marketing agency, Merge, and led Marco's marketing strategy shift in July 2017. Since that time, he has been instrumental in leading Marco's across all integrated communications as it has expanded its national marketing presence, the company said.

"I'm honored to join the Marco's Pizza brand with its rich 40-year heritage of delighting people with an outstanding product, commitment to quality and a culture that puts people and communities first," said Tussing. "It's exactly what we need to connect to the hearts and minds of all pizza-loving Americans as we continue to expand our national presence and footprint."

Tussing will be directly responsible for advertising, brand identity, media, customer relationship management, social media, web/app experience, promotions, multicultural marketing, field/regional marketing and grand opening marketing.

"Chris's leadership and strategy helped catapult the Marco's brand into the national spotlight," Marco's CEO Jack Butorac said in the release. "He's been a great advisor to me and the Marco's executive team as we evolve, expand and grow as a brand."

Tussing's background includes more than 25 years of experience working with several major Fortune 500 brands, including Northwestern Mutual, Clorox, Wrigley, Mars, Kraft and Anheuser-Busch, as well as mid-sized companies and startups. He is an expert in brand positioning and strategy, having worked at several multi-national agency brands including DDB, BBDO and JWT.

Marco's now has more than 975 stores in 34 states, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas and plans to have 1,000 locations open by year-end. The company is based in Toledo, Ohio.