Melissa Friebe To Become Chief Marketing
Officer, Pizza Hut U.S., from Taco Bell
PLANO,
Texas, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Pizza
Hut announced two new executive marketing appointments.
Kalen Thornton will join the
company as Global Chief Brand
Officer reporting to Pizza Hut Division Chief Executive
Officer, Aaron Powell, effective
June 10. In this role, Thornton will
lead Pizza Hut's global brand strategy and oversee all aspects of
marketing across 110 markets and territories. Thornton will also be
responsible for guiding the brand to a new chapter of relevance –
harnessing the power of strategic, engaging customer connections
across physical and digital touchpoints and ensuring that the brand
maintains its status as a cultural icon.
Thornton most recently served as Vice President of Sports and
Entertainment Marketing for PepsiCo North America, where he led
partnerships and built brand affinity across sports entertainment
properties – leveraging media, content, and activation investments
to drive growth for the beverage portfolio. During his time at
PepsiCo, Thornton also served as Chief Marketing Officer of
Gatorade. Before diving into the beverage business, Thornton held
multiple marketing leadership roles for the Nike and Jordan brands
over nearly ten years, where he was instrumental in leading
transformational brand initiatives.
"Kalen is a visionary and a proven leader who understands how to
create memorable moments for consumers," shared Powell. "With a
strong record of building celebrated global brands, Kalen is the
right leader to help us connect a new generation through the joy of
pizza. I am thrilled for him to join our team and help us take
Pizza Hut to the next level."
"I believe creativity, community and culture bring people
together," said Thornton. "I'm humbled at the opportunity to
contribute to Pizza Hut's long legacy as a brand that connects
across those dimensions, and I'm thrilled to help shape the future
resonance and growth of this iconic brand."
In addition to Thornton's appointment, Melissa Friebe will become Chief Marketing
Officer, U.S., reporting to incoming Pizza Hut U.S. President,
Carl Loredo. Friebe joins Pizza Hut
from Taco Bell, where she served in a number of positions over
nearly three decades with the brand, most recently as Chief Brand
Strategy Officer. In her new role at Pizza Hut, she will lead all
aspects of marketing for the brand's U.S. business. Friebe will
succeed Lindsay Morgan, who is
departing the brand after serving more than eight years in various
marketing leadership roles.
"I am proud and excited that Pizza Hut is attracting top talent
in the industry, and I'm confident that Kalen and Melissa will do
great things in their new roles," said Powell. "I'm also very
grateful for the contributions that Lindsay
Morgan has made to the Pizza Hut brand over the last many
years, including our record-breaking World's Largest Pizza
activation and the successful launch of Melts, and we wish her well
in her future endeavors."
About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was
founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas
and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in
innovation with the creation of icons like Original® Pan and
Original® Stuffed Crust pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the
very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading
the way in the digital and technology space with over half of
transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is
committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to
delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program
that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you
order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 16+. See applicable
terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global
leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,500
restaurants in 110 markets and territories. Through its enormous
presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team
members and communities around the world.
Press Contact:
pizza@abmc-us.com
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SOURCE Pizza Hut