Staffing

Marco's Pizza bolsters marketing team with focus on innovation

Photo: Marco's Pizza

April 11, 2024

Marco's Pizza has appointed three leaders to its marketing team to drive product innovation and enhance customer experience, according to a press release.

The hires follow the June 2023 appointment of Chief Marketing Officer Denise Lauer. Lauer has assembled a team of industry veterans to propel the brand forward with a focus on new menu items and digital marketing advancements.

Joining the team is Ben Halliwell as SVP of digital marketing. Halliwell brings over 20 years of experience in customer growth across various industries, including telecommunications and restaurants. He has a proven track record of leading digital transformation initiatives and building brand loyalty for companies like Inspire Brands, HSNi and Time Warner Cable.

In his role, Halliwell will leverage his experience to enhance Marco's e-commerce platform, optimize digital marketing efforts, and create a system to attract and retain customers.

Tanisha Chea joins as VP of brand marketing. Chea has 15 years of experience in consumer marketing and launching multi-channel campaigns for restaurant chains like Krispy Kreme, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Taco Bell. She will collaborate with newly appointed Director of Culinary Innovation Kathleen Kennedy on overseeing new product development.

Kennedy, with over 40 years of experience, has held executive chef, product development and consulting positions for global brands like Kraft, Starbucks and Walmart.

Marco's, known as a challenger brand in the pizza category, aims to capture market share with unique flavor offerings and a commitment to high-quality ingredients. Recent successful product launches include the limited-time-offer Magnifico Pizza line, a partnership with Mike's Hot Honey, and the permanent menu addition, the Pizzoli.

The company is also prioritizing technological innovation. They've implemented a proprietary cloud-based platform, Marco's Order Management System (MOMS), which offers greater flexibility to adapt to evolving customer needs compared to traditional technology solutions.

"We've made significant progress in revamping our brand strategy and innovation pipeline," said Lauer. "We're poised to launch a new marketing campaign designed to capture consumer attention nationwide. This team has been crucial in shaping this vision, and I'm excited to showcase the Marco's experience."

Marco's, headquartered in Ohio, operates more than 1,200 restaurants in 34 states with locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.