Vital Farms Appoints Kathryn McKeon as Chief Marketing Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Vital Farms has appointed Kathryn McKeon as the new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) effective January 27, 2022. With over 15 years in brand marketing, McKeon has been pivotal at Vital Farms since 2016, driving brand development and consumer loyalty. She succeeds in evolving the brand as a leader in ethical food products, showcasing her expertise through successful campaigns like the Bullsh*t Free initiative. McKeon holds a Bachelor's in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from NYU Stern.

Positive

• Kathryn McKeon's promotion highlights internal talent and continuity in leadership.
• Her experience may drive innovative marketing strategies, enhancing brand loyalty and market presence.

Negative

• Transitioning leadership may introduce temporary uncertainty in brand direction.

McKeon Has Over 15 Years of Experience in Brand Marketing and is One of Vital Farms’ Most Tenured Marketing Leaders

AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 27, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Farms (Nasdaq: VITL), a Certified B Corporation that offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide, today announced the appointment of Kathryn McKeon to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) effective January 27, 2022. McKeon has over 15 years of experience in brand marketing, with a specific focus on building global and emerging consumer food brands. As CMO, McKeon will oversee the Brand, Content, Community Management, Shopper Marketing, Consumer Insights, Communications and Creative Design marketing functions.

McKeon joined Vital Farms in 2016 as one of the first marketing leaders. In her more than five years with the company, she has served in several marketing leadership roles including most recently Vice President of Marketing. She has played an instrumental role in evolving the Vital Farms brand from an emerging name to a national leader in ethical food products trusted by millions of people across the country as well as initiatives such as Vital Farms’ Effie award-winning Bullsh*t Free campaign and its novel Traceability product feature, an industry-first transparency initiative that has received over 500,000 views to date.

“Kathryn has had a tremendous impact on our ability to attract and retain households and drive loyalty for our products,” said Russell Diez-Canseco, President and CEO, Vital Farms. “We know the strength of our brand will continue to be a critical growth driver for Vital Farms. While we conducted an extensive external search for the CMO position, it was clear through those conversations that Kathryn was the perfect choice. She’s an inspiring leader, creative, competitive, analytical, and a culture champion, all characteristics she’s demonstrated in her six years as a member of the marketing leadership team. I am confident in Kathryn and her team and look forward to all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”

“I am honored to transition to the CMO role and eager to lead the next phase of our brand in service of our purpose to improve the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food,” McKeon said. “I truly believe we have the most talented marketing professionals in the industry on our team. They have demonstrated time and time again that a creative, nimble, and opportunistic mindset, paired with a steadfast adherence to our values of honesty and transparency in food production will drive sustainable growth. I could not be more excited to work alongside them as we take our brand to new heights.”

Prior to Vital Farms, McKeon held brand marketing roles at Mondelēz International, one of the world’s largest snack companies and supported brand marketing for consumer household products including Starbucks Coffee, Stride Gum, Ritz Crackers, and Halls. She began her career in media sales for NewsCorp, a global content and information services company.

McKeon received a Bachelor of Business in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from the New York University Stern School of Business.

About Vital Farms
Vital Farms, a Certified B Corporation, offers a range of ethically produced foods nationwide. Started on a single farm in Austin, Texas in 2007, Vital Farms is now a national consumer brand that works with over 250 small family farms and is the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs by retail dollar sales. Vital Farms' ethics are exemplified by its focus on the humane treatment of farm animals and sustainable farming practices. In addition, as a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, Vital Farms prioritizes the long-term benefits of each of its stakeholders, including farmers and suppliers, customers and consumers, communities and the environment, and crew members and stockholders. Vital Farms' products, including shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, ghee, Egg Bites, Breakfast Bars, and liquid whole eggs, are sold in over 18,000 stores nationwide. Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs can also be found on menus at hundreds of food service operators across the country. For more information, visit www.vitalfarms.com.

CONTACT:
Media:
Nisha Devarajan
Nisha.Devarajan@vitalfarms.com

Investors:
Matt Siler
Matt.Siler@vitalfarms.com

FAQ

Who is Kathryn McKeon and what role has she taken at Vital Farms?

Kathryn McKeon has been appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Vital Farms, effective January 27, 2022.

What experience does Kathryn McKeon bring to her new role at Vital Farms?

McKeon has over 15 years of experience in brand marketing, with a focus on consumer food brands, and has been with Vital Farms since 2016.

What impact is expected from Kathryn McKeon's appointment as CMO?

Her promotion is anticipated to enhance brand loyalty and drive innovative marketing strategies for Vital Farms.

What significant campaigns has Kathryn McKeon been involved in at Vital Farms?

She played a key role in initiatives like the Bullsh*t Free campaign and the Traceability product feature.

When did Kathryn McKeon start her role as Chief Marketing Officer?

Kathryn McKeon officially took on the role of CMO effective January 27, 2022.