Darden Names Chief Marketing Officer

Darden Restaurants (Orlando) has promoted John Caron, executive vp, of marketing for Olive Garden, to the newly created role of chief marketing officer for Darden. Caron, who will report directly to Darden's chief operating officer, will be responsible for driving development and implementation of an integrated brand strategy across all six Darden concepts and lines of business. Darden owns and operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and the company's three Specialty Restaurant brands.

“We created this position with an eye toward establishing a marketing structure that enables stronger integration, greater innovation and accelerated growth across all of the Darden brands,” says Drew Madsen, Darden's chief operating officer. “John has been instrumental in creating a highly distinctive brand identity and an incredibly loyal guest following at Olive Garden. I am confident that he, in partnership with the six strong marketing leaders at each of our brands, will drive superior guest experiences in compelling new ways and position us to capture greater market share in a maturing and increasingly competitive industry.”

Caron, who has more than 20 years of marketing experience in the consumer packaged goods and restaurant industries, joined Olive Garden in April 2003. Prior to that post, he served as vp and general manager of beverages for Unilever-Best Foods North America overseeing the Lipton Beverages brand.