Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Board Member
Proficiency
Hobbies and Interests
Personal
Timeline
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Mikella Gallagher

Summary

Results-driven marketing executive with significant experience in hospitality and consumer packaged goods. Articulate leader focused on collaboration, communication and continuous improvement. MBA from the Stern School of Business, New York University.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

President

MG Consulting, LLC
01.2023 - Current
  • Developed strategic marketing analysis and recommendation for local business, including rebranding to maximize brand awareness and erase sales deficit
  • Conceived and updated sales materials for a client to market their consulting service, including identification of target audiences and their distinct needs.

Vice President Communication

Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc.
01.2017 - 01.2020
  • Established a new department to create consistent communication, amplify company culture and protect the brand for > 150 Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants
  • Led internal, external and crisis communication
  • Developed tools, processes and resources to scale and enhance the communication function
  • Collaborated across all departments and with franchise partners to develop and launch new RuthsConnect intranet to create consistent messaging, improve internal communication and product rollouts
  • Architected crisis communication approach and managed sensitive issues with consideration of reputation, business and legal issues
  • Oversaw development and implementation of diversity & inclusion training for company executives and restaurant managers.

Vice President of Marketing

Ruth's Hospitality, Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2017
  • Spearheaded strategic direction and execution of all marketing and branding activities for Ruth's Chris Steak House and Mitchell's Fish Market, including: national & local media plans, advertising, digital, creative, gift cards, research and guest relations
  • Helped reposition Ruth's Chris to appeal to a younger, more diverse audience
  • Achieved positive sales growth each year, from 3.2% to 8.1%
  • Managed team of 5 plus multiple agencies and vendors, including budgets and contracts
  • Established new creative campaign rolled out across all channels, including digital and TV
  • Oversaw development of new website to drive reservations and enhance the brand
  • Drove sales of $50MM gift card business, including introduction of e-card
  • Developed and executed 50th anniversary plan for internal and external audience
  • Supported 3-5 new restaurant openings per year
  • Partnered with culinary team to develop, test, execute and support new menu items
  • Collaborated with franchise partners, who own ~ 50% of Ruth's Chris units, on marketing plans
  • Invested in significant research to develop consumer insights and business opportunities.

Director & Sr Director marketing

Ruth's hospitalIty group, inc.
01.2008 - 01.2013
  • Implemented national approach to brand marketing for Ruth's Chris
  • Developed new ad campaign
  • Oversaw innovative “Women in Business” partnership with Marie Claire magazine promoting female entrepreneur speaking events at Ruth's Chris across the US
  • Led ideation, testing, introduction and roll-out of successful Ruth's Classics prix fixe that helped drive sales during recession
  • The promotion grew to be 20% of the menu and still exists today.

Brand manager

Olive Garden, Darden restaurants, INC.
01.2004 - 01.2008
  • Responsible for promotion marketing and local marketing execution
  • Launched new website resulting in traffic increase of +11%
  • Led cross-functional team and promotions agency to produce 7 sets of promotional menus and materials annually balancing guest, brand, operator and financial considerations
  • Oversaw strategy and execution of local marketing programs in support of > 600 restaurants.

product manager

Palmolive dish liquid
01.1998 - 01.2003
  • Lead manager on the development and strategy of new product form, Palmolive DishWipes
  • Overcame significant project obstacles, including manufacturing, legal and profitability hurdles
  • Led cross-functional team to develop and market new aromatherapy dish liquid in record seven-month time
  • Responsible for all aspects of launch including P&L, TV advertising and marketing plan
  • Developed and tested continuous stream of new ideas to fill the new product pipeline
  • Managed $28MM consumer promotion budget.

Education

MBA - Marketing & International Business

Stern School of Business, New York University

Bachelor of Arts - World Politics

The Catholic University of America

Skills

  • Marketing strategy & execution
  • Media planning
  • Promotion management
  • Agency/vendor selection & management
  • Product launches
  • Market research
  • Crisis communication

Board Member

Board Member, Community Coordinated Care for Children, a nonprofit promoting access to early learning and intervention programs for children (2013-2015).

Proficiency

Proficiency in basic Spanish.

Hobbies and Interests

Enjoy travel, food and tennis.

Personal

Enjoy travel, food and tennis. Proficiency in basic Spanish.

Board Member, Community Coordinated Care for Children, a nonprofit promoting access to early learning and intervention programs for children (2013- 2015).

Timeline

President

MG Consulting, LLC
01.2023 - Current

Vice President Communication

Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc.
01.2017 - 01.2020

Vice President of Marketing

Ruth's Hospitality, Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2017

Director & Sr Director marketing

Ruth's hospitalIty group, inc.
01.2008 - 01.2013

Brand manager

Olive Garden, Darden restaurants, INC.
01.2004 - 01.2008

product manager

Palmolive dish liquid
01.1998 - 01.2003

MBA - Marketing & International Business

Stern School of Business, New York University

Bachelor of Arts - World Politics

The Catholic University of America

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Mikella Gallagher