Red Lobster hires ad agency exec as next CMO
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Red Lobster has not had a permanent CEO since late last year.Photo courtesy of Red Lobster
Red Lobster has tapped a leader from its creative agency partner as its next CMO.
Andy Pitts, former EVP of brand leadership and experience for BarkleyOKRP, announced the appointment in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday.
Pitts has worked closely with Red Lobster for several years. The seafood chain named BarkleyOKRP its agency of record in 2022. The agency helped the chain refresh its creative strategy following its 2024 bankruptcy, resulting in a series of ads featuring CEO Damola Adamolekun reintroducing the brand to customers.
During his more than 13 years at the agency, Pitts also worked with Fogo de Chao, Dairy Queen, and Wingstop, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Orlando-based Red Lobster has not had a permanent CMO since late last year, when Nichole Robillard left after just over a year in the role.
The chain is continuing to mount its comeback from bankruptcy, and has been active on the marketing front. Earlier this year, it brought back its Endless Shrimp promotion for the first time since before the bankruptcy filing.
In an email, Red Lobster confirmed Pitts’ hiring and said there will be a formal announcement in the coming weeks.
In his LinkedIn post, Pitts said Red Lobster was his dad’s favorite restaurant and it is now his son’s favorite as well.
“Red Lobster is an American icon writing its next chapter,” he wrote. “I don’t take that responsibility lightly, and I’m grateful to be doing the work beside a team that loves this place as much as our guests do.”
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