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Marco’s Pizza hires Chris Tussing as vice president, chief marketing officerMarco’s Pizza hires Chris Tussing as vice president, chief marketing officer

Tussing was a marketing strategy lead for Marco’s Pizza at Merge marketing agency

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

September 15, 2020

1 Min Read
Marcos Pizza
Marco's adds a marketing executive to its team as expansion plans continue.Marco's Pizza

Joanna Fantozzi

Toledo, Ohio-based, 975-unit Marco’s Pizza announced the hiring of Chris Tussing — former marketing brand assignment strategy lead for Marco’s Pizza at Merge marketing agency — as the growing pizza chain’s vice president, chief marketing officer.

At Merge, Tussing acted as president of the marketing agency’s Chicago office and chief marketing officer of the entire agency. He helped lead the Marco’s brand as it expanded its national 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," Tussing said in a statement. "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."

At Marco’s, Tussing will be responsible for the company’s advertising, brand identity, media, customer relationship management, social media, web and app experience, promotions, and different types of marketing across the brand.

Prior to joining Merge, Tussing held marketing and brand positioning leadership roles at companies including Northwestern Mutual, Clorox, Wrigley, Mars, Kraft and Anheuser-Busch.

Related:Marco’s Pizza president-COO Tony Libardi discusses expansion

"Chris's leadership and strategy helped catapult the Marco's brand into the national spotlight,” Marco’s Pizza CEO Jack Butorac said in a statement. “He's been a great advisor to me and the Marco's Executive Team as we evolve, expand and grow as a brand.”

Marco’s Pizza is on track to have open 1,000 stores by the end of 2020.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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