PARK CITY, UT — Kodiak, a fast-growing better-for-you food company known for its protein pancakes, whole-grain bars and more, has announced the appointment of Cory Bayers to the newly created role of chief marketing officer effective Nov. 1.
Bayers is a seasoned global brand builder and brings more than two decades of marketing experience to Kodiak. In this role, he will lead all aspects of the company’s marketing initiatives, including strategy development, brand positioning, community building, content creation and partner collaborations.
His previous marketing experience was with top athletic and outerwear companies including Patagonia and Lululemon Athletica, where he led creative initiatives including content strategy, communications and more. His previous experience in the athletic space aligns with another part of Kodiak’s brand mission: promoting an active lifestyle.
Kodiak created the new role to continue identifying ways to connect with its passionate and ever-growing community. Over the past 26 years, Kodiak has expanded its product portfolio to become a true platform brand, and the company’s loyal following on social media and via organic word-of-mouth has enabled Kodiak to reach more than 17 million households each year.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Kodiak and to continue building the brand and its consumer base,” Bayers said. “The consumer engagement that the team [has] cultivated at Kodiak is truly unique to the space, and I’m eager to lead the brand and its enthusiasts through its next phase of engagement. I’ve long admired Kodiak, and I look forward to working with such a smart, collaborative, fast-moving and high-energy group of people who truly see the highest potential of Kodiak’s positive effect on our community.”
Joel Clark, Kodiak’s CEO, said that Bayers’ addition to the team brings it another step closer to becoming the most loved next-generation food brand.
“Having such ambition for the strength of this brand requires thinking outside the box and learning from those who lead some of the most respected lifestyle companies,” he said. “We are excited to have found someone of Cory’s caliber, who can bring true lifestyle brand marketing to the food world at Kodiak. We look forward to leveraging his significant experience in building powerful brands, which we believe will sustain Kodiak’s exceptional growth trajectory.”
Read more about the shift in food marketing in the upcoming October issue of Commercial Baking.
