Justin Sikora

About Justin Sikora

A proven communications, employee engagement and digital marketing leader. I currently serve as Senior Vice President of Communications & Digital Marketing for Darden Restaurants, the world’s largest full-service restaurant company.In this role, I lead the team responsible for corporate communications, internal communications, brand public relations, social media, digital marketing and creative services — across the enterprise and our brands within the portfolio. I joined Darden from Edelman, where I served as Vice President in the Consumer Brands Group. There I served many clients, working in the Chicago, New York City and Hamburg, Germany offices. During my work overseas, I supported the global launch of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty.My passion for helping children thrive led me to serve on the board of The Foundation for Foster Children. It is also why my favorite moments are those spent with my wife as we raise our three kids.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Communications

   Darden

   Jun 2019 — Present · US

   As Senior Vice President of Communications & Digital Marketing, I lead a team focused on using storytelling to build loyalty for Darden and its brands among guests, team members and shareholders. In this role, I oversee corporate and brand communications — including public relations, internal communications, social media, creative services and digital marketing, which includes customer relationship marketing (CRM), paid media, and digital properties.During my tenure, I built the public relations, social media and digital marketing functions within Darden — bringing the scale of an integrated communications team to each of the brands and functions within the portfolio. Darden owns and operates more than 2,100 Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and Eddie V’s restaurants in North America, employing people and serving nearly 440 million guests annually — generating more than $12 billion in annual sales. I joined Darden in 2011 as Director, Brand Public Relations where I was responsible for developing and executing strategic public relations plans to build awareness and help drive increased sales and traffic across all Darden brands.

Education

• Marquette University

  BA, Public Relations/Marketing

Skills

• Press Releases
• Integrated Marketing
• Public Relations
• Internal Communications
• Media Relations
• Advertising
• Marketing Communications
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Digital Marketing
• Crisis Communications
• Corporate Communications
• Social Media
• Social Media Marketing
• Strategic Communications