Tyson Foods taps ex-Coke exec as new chief growth officer

Springdale-based Tyson Foods has hired ex-Coke marketing executive Melanie Boulden as chief growth officer, a new position created by the meat giant. Boulden will officially join the company on Feb. 6 and report to CEO Donnie King.

According to the company, she will be responsible for all aspects of global brand marketing to foster the growth of the company’s portfolio of brands and products. Boulden will join the company’s enterprise leadership team and oversee functions including consumer and corporate branding, innovation, research and development, communications, and consumer insights and analytics.

“Melanie is an exceptional talent and a proven leader in growing global household brand businesses. She has the creative, operational, and financial experience to drive value creation across Tyson Foods’ brand portfolio,” King said in the release. “The introduction of the new chief growth officer role will allow Melanie to develop a world-class center of excellence around brand marketing that will be critical as Tyson Foods continues to focus on future growth.”

Boulden has more than two decades of food, packaged and consumer goods marketing experience. She most recently served as chief marketing officer of Coca-Cola North America, responsible for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of more than 20 brands.

Before that, she was president of the Still Beverages Business Unit for Coca-Cola North America, and was president and general manager of emerging brands. Boulden also was global head of marketing and brand management at Reebok from 2018  to 2019. Prior to that she spent three years in marketing roles at Crayola and four years in similar roles at Kraft Foods.

Boulden has a bachelor’s degree in English from Iowa State University, and a master’s in business administration from the University of Iowa. She is on the board of directors of Adobe.

“As Tyson Foods continues on its strong growth trajectory as a global food leader, I am pleased to be in a role where I will help drive the long-term growth of the company’s broad portfolio of products and iconic brands,” said Boulden. “I look forward to becoming part of the outstanding leadership team in place at the company, joining a community of world-class team members, and delivering for its customers and consumers around the world.”