The Wendy’s Company has announced the appointment of Craig S. Bahner, 47, as Chief Marketing Officer and a member of its Executive Leadership Team, effective April 2. Bahner will report to Wendy’s President and Chief Executive Officer Emil Brolick.
Throughout a 20-year career at The Procter & Gamble Company, Bahner helped drive growth for some of the most important and competitive businesses in the portfolio of the global retail leader. Most recently, he served as Vice President, North America Retail Hair. In this capacity, he had full P&L responsibility for P&G’s $2.2 billion retail hair business in North America, encompassing Pantene®, Head & Shoulders®, Herbal Essences® and other well-known brands. He led a multifunctional team of more than 200 employees, plus operations of two manufacturing sites, while delivering strong results across key business and organizational metrics.
Brolick said: “We are confident in our “A Cut Above” vision for the future and the steps we’re taking on every level to strengthen and grow Wendy’s business, including the addition of outstanding leaders. We are very pleased to add Craig to our executive management team. He is a proven brand builder and five-star achiever. He brings tremendous strategic management skills and a successful track record of exceptional business and marketing execution to our brand. He will help us engage and emotionally connect with consumers in new and powerful ways through all components of our marketing program.”
Bahner’s background with P&G also includes service from 2002 to 2006 as Vice President, Northeast Asia Fabric and Home Care. Based in Japan, Bahner played a key role in building strong market positions for P&G brands across a number of categories through organic growth, new brand launches and acquisitions. Prior to this assignment, he served as Marketing Director, North America Fabric Care from 1999 to 2002, where he directed marketing programs for P&G’s U.S. Laundry business – key brands included Tide®, Gain®, Cheer® and Era®.
During his first 10 years at P&G, Bahner successfully tackled a number of brand management and strategic planning assignments with increasing levels of responsibility. Prior to joining P&G, Bahner worked for The Sportsman’s Market, Inc. and The Pillsbury Company.
A native of Wheelersburg, Ohio, Bahner holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University.
The Wendy’s Company is the world’s third largest quick-service hamburger company. The Wendy’s system includes more than 6,500 franchise and Company restaurants in the U.S. and 27 countries and U.S. territories worldwide. For more information: visit aboutwendys.com or wendys.com.
