Marco’s Pizza hires Chris Tussing as Chief Marketing Officer

Tussing helped spearhead the strategy behind Marco’s first national advertising campaign

Brand marketing veteran Chris Tussing joins Marco’s Pizza Sept. 29 as Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer.

Tussing joins Marco’s from full-service marketing agency MERGE, where he acted as both President of the Chicago office and Chief Marketing Officer of the entire agency network, while serving as a member of the MERGE Executive Committee.

Marco's CMO Chris Tussing

Marco’s CMO Chris Tussing

At MERGE, Chris led the strategy behind the Marco’s Pizza brand assignment in July 2017. Since that time, he has played a crucial role helping lead the Marco’s brand across all integrated communications as it has expanded its national marketing presence.

“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.”

As the new Marco’s CMO, Tussing will be directly responsible for advertising, brand identity, media, customer relationship management (CRM), 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. He’s been a great advisor to me and the Marco’s Executive Team as we evolve, expand and grow as a brand,” said CEO Jack Butorac.

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.

Tussing holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Southern California and is a competitive runner and cyclist.

“Chris is a passionate, agile and insightful brand leader” said Chief Experience Officer Steve Seyferth. “As a key player within the Marco’s Marketing Team, Chris has provided vision, courage and unbridled enthusiasm in helping drive results and new levels of customer engagement and relevancy to our brand.”

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