303.960.9883
CHRIS RUSZKOWSKI
Marketing Leader | Strategy & Execution Consultant
I invite you to explore my professional background, case studies, and experience in marketing leadership.
As a driven and results-oriented marketing strategist, I bring a tireless work ethic and a passion for innovation and creativity to every project.
With expertise in Brand Positioning, Team Building, Digital and Social Media Strategy, Content Development, Retail and Local Market Planning, and e-commerce strategy, I thrive on delivering impactful results for every initiative.
Let’s connect and explore how I can help drive success for your brand. I am currently open to new projects and fractional commitments.
PAST EXPERIENCE
BAD ASS COFFEE OF HAWAII
Chief Marketing Officer
February 2020 - May 2024
In February of 2020, I traded in my hiking boots and said “Aloha” to flip flops and helped to relaunch a Hawaiian coffee brand with a name that is both disruptive and memorable, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii.
Brand:
Re-launched a 30-year-old brand by introducing a new brand strategy, brand standards, logo marks, franchise store designs, packaging, websites, content, marketing platforms, merchandise, public relations, local store marketing programs, and more.
E-commerce:
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Achieved 350% e-commerce website growth sales in under two years’ time. www.badasscoffeestore.com
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Website overhaul with new product storytelling and UX improvements to increase conversion rate and average purchase
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Led packaging redesign strategy for premium products
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Established a comprehensive promotional calendar in sync with key online retail events
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Directed growth of email program with new ESP, targeted messages to segmented customers
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Achieved 550% growth in coffee subscription service
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Evolved merchandise line for consumers and franchise owners with popular Bad Ass Coffee logo marks and Hawaiian-inspired designs
Franchise:
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Spearheaded strategies that accelerated aggressive sales growth, even during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Annual average unit volume sales of our café locations increased by 80% in under two years’ time.
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Developed and launched a new brand website with videos, photos, and storytelling branding content.
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Established seasonal promotional programs with favorable product margins.
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Led RFP process to select, build, and launch a new restaurant loyalty and online ordering app.
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Developed and launched a local store proximity digital marketing strategy
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Increased Instagram followers by over 800%
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Dramatically expanded brand content library with shoots in Hawaii and at stores
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Developed a grand opening strategy and execution plan to successfully open seven new cafes in five different states
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Led public relations in efforts to generate earned media in support of stores
QUIZNOS
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
November 2007- June 2018
November 2007- June 2018
In 2007, I left nearly 10 years of advertising agency experience behind and joined the client side at one of America’s favorite sandwich shops!
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Provide leadership and creative vision for strategies tied to same-store sales performance with a focus on all consumer-reaching communications for Quiznos. Oversee Advertising, Digital Strategy, Store Experience, and Local Store Marketing.
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In support of annual advertising budgets ranging from $3 - $100 million, responsible for the strategy, conception, and production of various event-based communications including TV commercials, radio, print, OOH, promotions, website development, digital strategy, and social efforts.
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Oversee menu strategy and calendar including pipeline development. Understand and leverage market trends, quantitative, and qualitative research, and culinary experts to develop the menu.
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Led the development of over 50 TV spots and over 20 radio spots with multiple agency partners. Various campaigns achieved over 7%-10% sales lift year over year during the time of promotion windows.
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Launched Toasty.TV (www.toasty.tv), an online entertainment hub hosting over 50 original content pieces in March 2014. During promotion periods, increased traffic to the online store locator by over 100%. Over 14 million minutes and 10 million views were experienced with our brand since launch.
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Provided strategic direction to multiple agencies throughout the creative development process ensuring that all communications maintain brand consistency. Establish and manage agency budgets, contracts, and scope of work.
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Managed an in-house creative department (up to 10 direct reports) responsible for creating various consumer-reaching communications including local store marketing, interactive, and P.O.P. that is distributed nationally.
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Led all “value add” media and promotional relationships with external media groups and major motion pictures. This has included opportunities with the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, CBS Sportsline, Jimmy Kimmel, KBCO Studio C, Comedy Central, NBC Dew Tour, and more.
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In 2017, I was the visionary and orchestrator behind the launch of ZEPS Epiq Sandwiches, a new concept brand, including naming and positioning for the fast-casual sandwich shop located in Denver, CO. Achieved the consumers’ nod as the #1 Sandwich shop on YELP.
MCCLAIN FINLON ADVERTISING
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
MARCH 2002- NOVEMBER 2007
MCCLAIN FINLON ADVERTISING
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
MARCH 2002- NOVEMBER 2007
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At McClain Finlon, one of Denver's largest ad agencies at the time, I had a great ride engaging, exploring, and leading various brands ranging from restaurants, telecommunications, tourism, and banking. Here are some of the specific brands I worked with while there.
Clients:
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CUNA Mutual Group
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Strategic lead responsible for overall brand development for CUNA Mutual’s 90 + products ranging from 401(k) plans to life insurance offered to over 9,000 credit unions. Initial tactics included print, website, events, sales collateral, and direct mail.
Breckenridge Ski Resort
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Managed agency team in the development of Front Range and National advertising. Specific projects supported Breckenridge’s terrain park, the pro snowboard team, the launch of the Imperial Express Superchair, and the development of Breckenridge’s Ski and Ride School’s positioning work.
Qwest Communications
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Responsible for managing and mentoring account staff of twelve direct reports.
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Proactively led agency teammates in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at increasing awareness of Qwest products through a variety of tactics including TV, radio, print, FSI, outdoor, retail POS, promotions, guerilla, and more.
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Managed agency strategy, budget, and creative development of Qwest’s local market-specific advertising campaigns with budgets exceeding $3 million each year. Strategies focused on increasing customer win-back/win-over with additional efforts concentrated on customer retention with a concentration on the upsell of local phone, long distance, high-speed internet, wireless, and digital TV within Qwest’s fourteen-state customer base in over seventy markets
Einstein Bros
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Developed a multi-tiered animated campaign introducing specialty sandwiches to increase consumer awareness of lunch and drive retail transactions. Managed the development of television and out-of-home tactics in collaboration with Sherbet Animations (London).
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Managed music rights negotiation for the use of the hit pop song “Fascination” by the band Human League featured in the Panini 30-second TV spots.
BARNHART / CMI ADVERTISING
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
October 1999 - March 2002
In 1999, the mountains were calling! I moved to Colorado with no job secured and quickly ended up at one of the area's top creative shops. I had the honor of working with amazing people and worked with brands in the following categories: Beer, Tourism, Golf, Outdoor Sports, and Technology. Some Specifics:
Winter Park Resort
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Developed print campaigns for national publications including Ski and Skiing. Created a new look and feel for all collateral including annual resort guides while spearheading an underground viral website: MadMary.com aimed at male male18-30-year-old skiers/riders. Various guerilla tactics including a viral email campaign supported the website.
Breckenridge Brewery
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Assisted with brand overhaul including logo/packaging development and restaurant advertising support helping to propel this microbrewery into the 2nd largest microbrew distributor in the state.
IZZO Golf
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Developed annual catalog and advertising support including P.O.S. and print for this leader in the golf bag category.
SIMMS Flyfishing
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Helped with the creation of seasonal collateral architecture including annual catalogs and print ads.
FRANKEL BRAND MARKETING
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
August 1996 - September 1999
Big City, Big Brands! I had the great opportunity to join one of the Nation's top Promotions agencies and learn creative strategy in the following categories: Government/Delivery, Packaged Goods, Finance, and Restaurants. Below you will find some details on some of those brands':
Frito Lay, Planet Lunch
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Collaborated with clients and internal teams executing in-store merchandising/promotional efforts including development of over 1 million Fall '99 “You Gotta Go” catalogs aimed at children 6-12 years old for the Planet Lunch brand.
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Conceptualized, initiated, and negotiated all prize packages, while maintaining relationships with vendors that supplied prize packages for Planet Lunch online loyalty program aimed at children and parents.
Visa
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Executed 1998 “Read Me a Story” shelf program benefiting RIF (Reading is Fundamental) for partners including Toys R’ Us, T.J. Maxx, and Waldenbooks.
McDonald's / Brand Guard
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Managed the marketing of Brand Guard to McDonald’s owner-operators and agencies. The new state-of-the-art online Digital asset management system allowed franchisees to develop and purchase point-of-purchase materials, free-standing inserts, and direct mail pieces.
US Postal Service
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Assisted in the transformation to create retail environments inside all US post offices.
MCCANN ERICKSON
ACCOUNT COORDINATOR
January 1995- March 1996
Welcome to the world of Advertising! My first job out of school was at the famous McCann Erickson. I had the opportunity to work on various healthcare clients as well as earn experience working with some of the first brands to explore the internet for retail with the McCann Interactive group. Clients included: Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Labs and 1-800 Flowers.
ABOUT ME
I am more than just a marketer. I’m driven by a passion for live music, great design, craveable food, craft IPA beers, sports, and the outdoors—and I thrive when I can integrate these interests into my work. With over a decade of experience on the advertising agency side, combined with 12+ years leading brands like Quiznos and Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, I excel at crafting and executing compelling brand narratives that resonate.
I don’t just talk about making things happen—I make things happen.
My approach is customer-first. I blend creativity with strategy, leveraging insights and data-driven thinking to tackle every project. What drives me most is uncovering the motivations that inspire people to engage with brands.
At my core, I'm a storyteller. I believe that social and digital media have revolutionized how we tell brand stories. Content isn’t just king—it’s the entire court. Knowing which 'card to play' is key to success.
In Summary:
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A dedicated, collaborative leader who values team culture and collective success
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A creative and innovative thinker with a proven track record of driving results
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Thrives in fast-paced environments where change sparks action
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Possesses emotional intelligence and self-awareness, fostering positive energy and passion throughout teams
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A hands-on leader who is eager to dive into operational details
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A history of setting ambitious brand visions and executing them across the full marketing mix
"When you reach for the stars you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either."
Leo Burnett
