Kim Utlaut, SVP, Chief Brand Officer
Professional Overview
Kim Utlaut is an accomplished marketing and brand strategy executive with over 25 years of experience driving transformative brand growth across the consumer goods and retail industries. As the SVP, Chief Brand Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop, she is responsible for leading the company's global brand strategy, marketing, and omnichannel customer experience initiatives.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In her current role as SVP, Chief Brand Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop, Kim is spearheading a comprehensive brand revitalization effort to strengthen the company's position as a leading experiential retail brand. She oversees all aspects of the brand's marketing, including digital and traditional advertising, content strategy, partnership management, and in-store activations. Under her leadership, the brand has achieved significant increases in customer engagement, brand affinity, and sales performance.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Build-A-Bear Workshop, Kim served as the GM of Franchise Leadership at The Coca-Cola Company, where she was responsible for driving strategic growth and brand management for the company's franchise system. Earlier in her career, she held various marketing and partnership management roles at The Coca-Cola Company, including Director of Sports Marketing and Partnership Management, and Director of Business Development/Region Asset Marketing. Kim began her career in the sports marketing industry, serving as the Group Manager of Sponsorships at Sprint Nextel.
Academic Background
Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Kansas, where she graduated with honors.
Areas of Expertise
- Brand strategy and revitalization
- Omnichannel marketing and customer experience
- Retail and consumer goods industry
- Sports marketing and partnership management
- Franchise and B2B account management
- Data-driven marketing and performance optimization
Professional Impact
During her tenure at The Coca-Cola Company, Kim led the development and implementation of innovative marketing campaigns that drove significant increases in brand awareness, customer engagement, and sales performance across multiple global markets. In her current role at Build-A-Bear Workshop, she has spearheaded the company's digital transformation, resulting in a 30% increase in online sales and a 25% improvement in customer satisfaction scores.
Conclusion
With her extensive experience in brand building, marketing strategy, and customer-centric innovation, Kim Utlaut is a proven leader in the consumer goods and retail industries. As the SVP, Chief Brand Officer at Build-A-Bear Workshop, she is poised to continue driving the company's growth and solidifying its position as a beloved, experiential brand in the hearts and minds of consumers worldwide.
