Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Ellen Howse is a seasoned marketing executive with over 25 years of experience driving strategic growth and innovation across the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail industries. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Firehook Bakery, she is responsible for leading the company's brand strategy, marketing initiatives, and new product development to enhance market position and drive revenue growth. Additionally, she serves as a Strategic Advisor at Eric's Orchard Inc., providing high-level guidance on marketing and innovation.
Experience Summary
Current Roles
Chief Marketing Officer, Firehook Bakery (2024-04-01 to Present)
- Oversee the development and implementation of integrated marketing strategies to strengthen the Firehook Bakery brand and drive sales growth
- Lead cross-functional teams in the ideation, development, and launch of new product lines to expand the company's product portfolio and appeal to evolving consumer preferences
- Collaborate with the executive team to align marketing efforts with overall business objectives and identify new market opportunities
Strategic Advisor, Eric's Orchard Inc. (2024-01-01 to Present)
- Provide strategic guidance and industry expertise to the executive leadership team on marketing, innovation, and growth initiatives
- Contribute to the development of the company's long-term strategic plan and assist in the implementation of key initiatives
Career Progression
Prior to her current roles, Ellen has held various leadership positions in the CPG and retail sectors, including:
- Associate, Chief Marketing Officer at The CMO Syndicate (2023-11-01 to 2024-04-01)
- Chief Marketing Officer at Dewey's Bakery (2021-03-01 to 2023-04-01)
- Innovation Lead - Personal Care at Hello Products LLC (2020-05-01 to 2021-03-01)
- Fractional Head, New Ventures - North America at pladis Global (2017-12-01 to 2018-04-01)
- Fractional Head, Chocolate Category - North America at pladis Global (2016-12-01 to 2017-05-01)
- Senior Consultant at OxfordSM, Inc. (2012-12-01 to 2017-04-01)
- Fractional Head of Innovation, Internal Consultant at Godiva Chocolatier (2005-01-01 to 2010-02-01)
- Founder at Howse Business Consulting (2001-09-01 to 2012-11-01)
- Director of Digital Marketing at CNBC (2000-08-01 to 2001-08-01)
- Senior Director at Nabisco Foods Group (1996-01-01 to 2000-01-01)
- Senior Marketing Manager at Cadbury Beverages (1991-01-01 to 1996-01-01)
Academic Background
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Pennsylvania.
Areas of Expertise
- Brand strategy and positioning
- Integrated marketing campaign development and execution
- New product innovation and commercialization
- Consumer insights and market research
- Digital and e-commerce marketing
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Ellen has demonstrated a proven track record of driving transformative change and delivering measurable results. Some of her key achievements include:
- Spearheaded the successful launch of a new personal care product line at Hello Products LLC, resulting in a 25% increase in market share within the first year
- Revitalized the Dewey's Bakery brand, leading to a 15% year-over-year increase in sales and a 20% improvement in brand sentiment
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive digital marketing strategy at CNBC, which resulted in a 30% increase in website traffic and a 25% improvement in lead generation
Conclusion
With her extensive experience in the CPG and retail industries, Ellen Howse is a strategic marketing leader with a proven ability to drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Her deep understanding of consumer trends, coupled with her cross-functional expertise, make her a valuable asset to organizations seeking to strengthen their market position and achieve sustainable success.