Mountain Mike’s Pizza has promoted Carol DeNembo to chief marketing officer after being the chain’s vice president of marketing for the past six years.
Jim Metevier, who was promoted to CEO of the Newport Beach, Calif.-based chain in February, praised DeNembo for her hard work, leadership, and creativity.
“Since her arrival, Carol has been an invaluable asset and an absolute marketing powerhouse for Mountain Mike’s Pizza, always uncovering creative, innovative and effective ways to interact with our guests and propel the brand as we enter new markets across the country," he said in a press release announcing her appointment. “Carol’s exemplary leadership of our marketing initiatives has been paramount to the significant sales and franchise growth we’ve experienced in the last half-decade, and her custodianship of our brand has truly been best in class.”
The casual dining chain of nearly 300 locations credits DeNembo, left, for helping secure its partnership with the San Francisco 49ers National Football League team in 2018, with the Los Angeles Angels Major League Baseball team in 2022, and with the Sacramento Kings National Basketball Association team in 2023.
Those partnerships have resulted in increased orders via the chain’s apps during promotions with the 49ers and Kings and loyalty and transaction growth among Angels fans, the company said.
Mountain Mike’s principal owners, Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, praised DeNembo for her continuing efforts.
“Growing our brand through high-visibility sports activations is one of many powerful arrows in Carol’s impressive marketing quiver, and we are constant admirers of her tremendous work,” they said in a joint statement. “Carol’s elevation to Chief Marketing Officer is a testament to her hard work and consummate dedication to the Mountain Mike’s brand and family, and we have the utmost confidence she will continue to propel the brand forward — and upward to summit the highest peaks.”
Management also praised her for her marketing of limited-time offers such as heart-shaped pizzas, garlic “Not-Knots,” cinnamon “Not-Knots,” and other specials.
“I’m honored to operate as this brand’s CMO, and it’s deeply rewarding to be part of the Mountain Mike’s Pizza team, especially as we experience ongoing national expansion, growing guest loyalty, significant interest from new franchisees and a mounting list of impressive industry accolades,” DeNembo said in the release. “It’s been a privilege to work in lockstep with leadership to help position the brand on a national stage and lead a passionate marketing team that loves to think outside the pizza box to find creative ways to foster deeper engagement with our valued guests.”
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