Brett Wickens

Associate Director Marketing and Brand Development @Palermo's Pizza

Milwaukee, WI, US

I execute the brand strategy for a $100M+ P&L business, leading a team of up to two and overseeing a $3M+ marketing budget. I own the full marketing lifecycle from product/packaging development through commercialization, P&L management, pricing, promotions, and marketing support to achieve aggressive sales and profit targets for five national frozen pizza brands. Throughout my tenure, I built cross-company partnerships to launch 50+ new products through syndicated data analysis, brand tracker studies, and focus group leadership. As the primary brand champion, I develop effective positioning and strategic direction across internal and external partners.KEY CONTRIBUTIONS: Transformed a struggling brand to #1 position in natural channel via consumer insights-driven product reformulation, surgical marketing support strategy, and pricing/promotion optimization while opening this entirely new channel for the company. Tripled brand sales over a five-year span and achieved highest dollar sales in natural channel in 2022–2024. Delivered 2X brand growth over seven years, playing an integral role in establishing company as the #3 frozen pizza manufacturer. Pioneered a $40M+ new revenue stream by expanding an iconic Netflix partnership and securing new licensing deals with major brands (Cheez-It and RAGU), launching three brands/10 SKUs in half the normal timeline. Outperformed sales and profit targets on $100M P&L by transforming consumer insights into actionable strategies through syndicated data analysis (Nielsen, SPINS, IRI) and leading consumer studies. Generated 100M+ social impressions and above-benchmark ROAS by leading integrated marketing strategies with external agencies and internal teams, managing $3M+ budget to execute campaigns that clearly differentiated three unique brands. Exceeded distribution and sales goals by securing first-time natural channel placements at Whole Foods and Sprouts while expanding Walmart and Costco distribution.

Indiana University - Kelley School of Business

Bachelor's degree, Marketing

UMN Carlson School of Management

Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration, Management and Operations