Tanisha C.

Experience

• 

  Spark Bamboo Marketing Consultancy

  Fractional CMO and VP Marketing

  Dec 2024 - Present

  Spark Bamboo is an executive marketing consultancy focused on helping multi-unit and franchise brands accelerate growth through full-funnel demand generation, brand positioning, and AI-enabled marketing systems.

  • Led consumer and franchise marketing strategy for a 60-location, $20M portfolio, achieving improved impressions, CPL, and CPC.
  • Managed a national marketing calendar and a full-funnel growth engine with a budget of approximately $800K in paid media.
  • Introduced AI-driven automation across reporting, creative development, and campaign optimization.
  • Boosted revenue growth and retention at IDEA Lab Kids, maintaining 100% family retention.
  • Designed hyper-local digital advertising for Starbucks, defending market share against Luckin Coffee.

• Spark Bamboo Marketing Consultancy

  Principal Consultant

  Dec 2024 - Present

  Spark Bamboo Marketing Consultancy provides strategic marketing solutions for franchise and multi-unit enterprises.

• 

  IDEA Lab Kids

  Franchise Owner

  Jan 2020 - Present

  • Launched Innovative Education concept in the Charlotte Market via a Brick-and-Mortar Kids S.T.E.A.M Enrichment Center specializing in Science, Coding, Culinary, Entrepreneurship, Visual Arts & Robotics for kids ages 4 – 14
  • Oversaw and managed architectural design and construction with 2 different firms to bring location design to life on budget and on time
  • Create and Execute local marketing strategy and creative to drive awareness, enrollment lead generation and revenue resulting in scaling to over six figures during year 1 in six months
  • Create relationships with local school administrators, PTO/PTA groups and social organizations to offer customized educational programs designed to supplement current traditional education
  • & Robotics for kids ages 4 - 14
  • Founder of the Spark Bamboo Incubator for Kids – launching 2021

• Marco's Pizza (Marco's Franchising, LLC)

  Vice President, Brand Marketing

  Sep 2023 - Dec 2024

  Marco's Pizza (Marco's Franchising, LLC) is a pizza restaurant chain offering fresh and authentic Italian pizzas across multiple locations.

  • Spearheaded brand marketing strategy, leading to the launch of the first-ever national marketing calendar for the brand.
  • Executed strategic partnerships with PepsiCo, DoorDash, and Sony Pictures, enhancing brand visibility and cultural relevance.
  • Coordinated brand relaunch through integrated agency partners, achieving a 10-point lift in brand awareness.
• 

  Threshold Brands

  Vice President, Marketing

  Dec 2022 - Aug 2023

  • Led marketing strategies to drive system-wide sales growth across nine brands, enhancing overall portfolio performance.
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  Threshold Brands

  President: Sir Grout >> Vice President Marketing of Threshold Brands

  Dec 2021 - Aug 2023

  Threshold Brands™ is a highly curated collection of home services providers, offering franchise opportunities that focus on environmental consciousness and franchisee satisfaction.

  • Implemented digital and consumer marketing strategies across nine brands, boosting system-wide sales growth.
  • Achieved a 28% YOY sales growth and a 45% expansion in national footprint through effective franchise development marketing.
  • Led a comprehensive brand transformation, including identity, positioning, and MarTech infrastructure development.
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  Threshold Brands

  President: Sir Grout

  Dec 2021 - Dec 2022

  • Drove system wide sales to a 28% increase YOY growth
  • Led strategic brand development and launch of NEW Brand Image including logo, brand identity, consumer marketing plan and website (launching Q1 2023)
  • Optimized training excellence by creating best in class new franchisee training curriculum and led design for a new and dedicated training facility
  • Added 11 new franchisees and 16 new territories resulting in a 45% increase in national footprint
• 

  Krispy Kreme

  Vice President, Global Innovation

  Nov 2018 - Dec 2020

  Krispy Kreme is a global retailer known for its high-quality sweet treats, particularly its iconic Original Glazed ® Doughnut.

  • Developed and launched over 50 new products globally, enhancing Krispy Kreme's product portfolio.
  • Strengthened global innovation and go-to-market strategies, improving stage gate processes.
  • Forged strategic partnerships with Hershey’s and Mondelez, expanding brand presence and relevance.

• Career Break

  Full-time parenting

  Nov 2017 - Nov 2018

  • Impacted by a companywide layoff while on Maternity leave with my twins, so I decided to take an extended leave and enjoy the time off with my twin boys.
  • While on maternity leave, I started a baby clothing line called, Tala Baby. -- Check it out!

• Carrabba's Italian Grill

  Vice President, Marketing

  Aug 2016 - Nov 2017

  Carrabba's Italian Grill is a casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian cuisine.

  • Improved profitability by $48M through retail strategies and guest frequency initiatives.
  • Rejuvenated brand identity via new creative platform and menu innovation, enhancing brand perception.
  • Extended gift card distribution and formed valuable partnerships, supporting significant YOY growth.
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  Taco Bell

  Director, Brand Marketing

  Jul 2014 - Jul 2016

  • Drove over $1.9Billion in system revenue via National Calendar initiatives focused on Value, White Space Innovation, Big Eats and Beverages
  • Led the brand partnership with PepsiCo® and Franchisees to initiate the development and expansion of the $1.2Billion Beverage business
  • Created and launched the breakthrough, Dollar Cravings Menu that drove 27% incidence, a sustaining transaction growth for 1 year and an increase in Value Leadership KPIs
  • Created and launched Daredevil Loaded Grillers that delivered on innovation and a cultural trend at a value and drove over 23.5Million units sold
  • Led internal team of Director-level marketers across Media, Advertising, PR and Social Media to create breakthrough national product launches and relevant brand integrations
  • Partnered with International Leadership from Pizza Hut and KFC to develop sales and brand building course for marketers globally reaching 10+ countries
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  Yum! Brands

  Senior Manager, KFC Marketing

  Apr 2013 - Dec 2013

  • month Secondment to leverage global experience and expand breadth of consumer know---how
  • Led development of Young Adult strategy to drive new product development & product launches
  • Worked with Agency {BBH London} to create advertising concepts and merchandising for 3 countries designed to drive sales across multiple business layers
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  Taco Bell

  Senior Manager, Marketing

  Sep 2012 - Jul 2014

  • Delivered creative products and insights driven marketing communications to drive over $730Million in system revenue
  • Created and lead internal, “Taco Think Tank” meeting to identify and cultivate creative product, communications, social media and engagement ideas for the brand
  • Led Brand Integration to market and promote Sony® partnership for 4 years resulting in transaction and check driven sales, consumer engagement and an increase in Brand I Love KPI, over time
  • Developed strategy and construct for NEW value menu, "Dollar Cravings Menu"
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  Taco Bell

  Manager, Marketing

  Aug 2010 - Sep 2012

  • Drove strategy development and national execution for key sales layers: Value, Big Box and Taco 12-Pack.
  • Lead the strategy and execution of the exciting partnership with Sony to launch the PlayStation Vita via a "Win It Before You Can Buy It" on pack promotion
• 

  Taco Bell

  Associate Manager, Marketing

  May 2008 - Sep 2010

  • Architected and executed the strategy for the successful launch of the Taco Bell Breakfast Menu.
  • Utilized consumer insights to drive marketing decisions and expand the brand into a new daypart.
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  Yum! Brands

  Associate Manager, KFC Marketing

  Jun 2007 - May 2008

  • Led cross functional calendar team to develop and launch “Firsts” for the brand -
  • Led Brand’s first interactive gaming partnership with Guitar Hero® producing the second highest sales layer in KFC history, $1,400 WPRA and lifting 32 oz beverage sales by 10%
  • Led and executed the largest national beverage promotion, Pepsi Stuff®, in KFC history to protect a $78MM beverage layer during a time of declining transactions
  • Led Brand’s first signature beverage tests [lemonade and milkshakes] that served as impetus to create multiple beverage platforms with partner PepsiCo in 2008
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  Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center

  Marketing Intern

  Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

  • Performed a case analysis of a marketing campaign in the Orlando market to assess level of success through P&L analysis, sales trends, ROI and use of POP and media
  • Led cross functional team to determine promotional impact, cost and value of promotion through historical data, operator interviews, financial analysis and media/PR assessments
  • Created a balanced scorecard to measure Market-Level brand equity, sales and investment results to develop new Market-Level advertising strategy
  • Developed business case for Market-Level campaign strategy to increase national advertising spending by $5MM
  • Led coordination and management of the Area Marketing Director conference including site selection, logistics and curriculum development based on the 2007 vision, objectives and strategy

• Clark Atlanta University

  Chair, LEAD Week

  Jan 2006 - Dec 2007

  • Directed inaugural fundraising campaign and Black-Tie gala to raise over $225,000 for a single event, becoming the single largest fundraising event for the CAU School of Business
  • Developed and directed correspondence with corporate partners to grow partner relationships between the University and corporations resulting in three sustaining tier 1 partnerships with Verizon, Met Life and Wal-Mart
  • Led multiple committees designed to facilitate program execution including budget management, logistics, site selection, conference content and décor
  • Led cross functional team of University relations, advertising, grants and contracts and administration to ensure successful achievement of fundraising objectives and build CAU brand recognition and equity
• 

  Miss Universe Organization

  Miss Georgia USA 2005

  Nov 2004 - Nov 2005

  The Miss Universe Organization is a global organization celebrating women of diverse cultures, driving personal and professional impact.

  • Served as a national spokesperson advocating for charitable and breast cancer organizations, enhancing public engagement.
  • Advanced organizational goals by contributing to the Board of Directors for Punch Out Breast Cancer, elevating mission visibility.
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  Miss America Inc.

  Miss Connecticut 2002

  Jan 2002 - Dec 2003

  Miss America Inc. is a leading provider of scholarships for young women, emphasizing education and community service.

  • Achieved Top Ten Finalist status, demonstrating excellence at the Miss America competition.
  • Founded the Each One Teach One peer mentoring program, promoting college readiness and leadership.
  • Delivered keynote speeches on leadership and youth development to various organizations.