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Kevin Miller joins The Fresh Market as chief marketing officer

Natural Grocers executive takes reins as full-time CMO from Mary Kellmanson

Russell Redman

May 12, 2020

2 Min Read
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At The Fresh Market, Kevin Miller will report to Jason Potter, who took the helm as CEO in early March with the exit of Larry Appel.The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market has hired Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage executive Kevin Miller as chief marketing officer.

Miller starts in the CMO post effective immediately, The Fresh Market said Tuesday. Chief Merchandising Officer Dan Portnoy had taken on CMO duties from Mary Kellmanson, who left at the end of February after holding the role since joining the specialty grocer in November 2017.

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“I am thrilled to be joining The Fresh Market team at the most dynamic time in our nation’s history, where we have seen some dramatic changes in consumer grocery shopping behavior,” Miller (left) said in a statement. “As such, the opportunities to unlock the full potential of our highly differentiated brand have never been greater. I look forward to innovating with my new teammates to provide even better service and even more value to our guests as we drive home what makes The Fresh Market the premier, fresh-focused specialty food retailer.”

The Fresh Market noted that Miller brings 30 years of experience in leading marketing and advertising organizations for Fortune 100 companies. Most recently, he served as CMO at Lakewood, Colo.-based Natural Grocers, a natural and organic retail chain with a similar store footprint, with 157 locations in 20 states. At Natural Grocers, Miller led “transformational change” across marketing, company culture and digital innovation, as well as “significantly grew” the retailer’s loyalty program, The Fresh Market said.

Related:The Fresh Market to require face coverings for shoppers

Before joining Natural Grocers in January 2016, Miller was president of digital media firm KMMP Media Group. Prior to that, he served in a range of marketing and account positions at ABC Radio Networks/Walt Disney Co., Pizza Hut/Yum Brands/PepisCo, Coca-Cola and ad agency Leo Burnett.

At The Fresh Market, Miller reports to Jason Potter, who took the helm as CEO in early March with the exit of Larry Appel.

“Kevin brings to The Fresh Market a deep background in marketing from working with such well-known businesses as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and ABC News, in addition to his experience in grocery with Natural Grocers,” Potter stated. “He is a consummate professional who will help us continue to evolve our brand and mission of inspiring our guest to make everyday eating extraordinary.”

Overall, The Fresh Market currently operates 159 stores in 22 states.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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