Chief Marketing Officer, Groove Life
Executive Summary
Shawn Benk is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Groove Life, a consumer brand recognized for its innovative wearable products and accessories. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Benk is a data-driven strategic marketer with over 13 years of experience in digital and omnichannel marketing, ecommerce optimization, and brand building. At Groove Life, he is responsible for designing and executing the overall marketing strategy, overseeing digital initiatives, and optimizing ecommerce performance with a focus on revenue growth and customer acquisition.
Professional Background and Key Roles
Current Positions
- Chief Marketing Officer, Groove Life (2024 – Present)
- Leads integrated marketing strategy to drive brand awareness and customer growth.
- Oversees innovative digital marketing campaigns, leveraging advanced data analytics for performance optimization.
- Heads the ecommerce team with a mandate to enhance user experience and increase conversion rates.
- Advisor, Primary Venture Partners (2024 – Present)
- Provides strategic counsel to startup portfolio companies on ecommerce and digital marketing.
- eCommerce Consultant, Puffy (2024 – Present)
- Advises executive leadership on ecommerce platform optimization and digital growth strategies.
- Advisor, Sassafras Springs Vineyard & Winery (2020 – Present)
- Supports digital marketing and direct-to-consumer initiatives.
Previous Experience
- Consultant, Groove Life (2024)
- Delivered actionable recommendations for marketing strategy, digital initiatives, and ecommerce operations.
- Chief Marketing Officer, Fresh N’ Lean (2023 – 2024)
- Spearheaded a digital transformation, resulting in a 35% increase in online sales.
- SVP, eCommerce & Digital Marketing, Fresh N' Lean (2022 – 2023)
- Drove a 28% YoY growth in online revenue via digital marketing and ecommerce improvements.
- SVP, Marketing, JUNK Brands (2019 – 2021)
- Improved brand awareness and boosted direct-to-consumer sales by 22% through integrated campaign development.
- Director, Client Strategy & Optimization, Sailthru (2017 – 2019)
- Consulted for retail and ecommerce firms on data and technology-driven marketing initiatives.
Key Skills and Areas of Expertise
- Ecommerce and Digital Marketing Strategy
- Data-Driven Marketing Optimization
- Omnichannel Customer Acquisition and Retention
- Brand Building and Integrated Campaign Execution
- Cross-Functional Leadership and Team Management
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Growth Initiatives
- Strategic Market Advisory
Professional Achievements and Impact
- Groove Life: Implemented a comprehensive marketing and digital strategy as CMO to accelerate market expansion and ecommerce performance.
- Fresh N’ Lean: Orchestrated digital marketing transformation leading to a 35% increase in online sales; established systems for sustained data-driven growth.
- JUNK Brands: Built campaigns increasing direct-to-consumer sales by 22%, elevating brand recognition in a competitive market segment.
- Sailthru: Enabled clients in retail and ecommerce to utilize analytics and automation for customer engagement improvements.
Education
- B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing
- University of Arkansas
- Specialized in Marketing; foundation for a career in digital and consumer marketing leadership.
Company Context: Groove Life
- Location: Headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.
- Recent Leadership Updates: Appointment of Shawn Benk as CMO alongside Kyle Yeoman as President (as of January 2025).
- Strategic Focus: Innovation in ecommerce, digital branding, and direct-to-consumer sales channels, aligning with Benk’s core competencies.
Professional Networks
- LinkedIn: [Shawn Benk Profile](http://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-benk-7a880998)
- Industry Engagement: Advisory roles for startups, involvement in consumer goods and ecommerce networks.
Actionable Insights
Shawn Benk’s proven record of driving digital growth, particularly in consumer brands with strong ecommerce and DTC components, positions him as a decision-maker who values data-driven solutions, conversion optimization, and integrated digital strategies. His leadership at Groove Life and prior companies demonstrates a focus on innovative marketing, analytics adoption, and scalable digital campaigns. Benk’s openness to advisory roles signals receptiveness to new technologies and partnerships that advance organizational and marketing objectives. He operates with a bias for measurable impact and can influence technology investment, partnership, and strategic direction at Groove Life.
