Dunkin’ marketing chief steps down

The executive who dropped “Donuts” from “Dunkin” is leaving Dunkin’ Brands.

Dunkin' Brands, the parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins, has announced that Tony Weisman, chief marketing officer of Dunkin' U.S., is stepping down from his position effective Dec. 1, 2019. The company will immediately begin a search for his replacement, and Weisman has agreed to assist in the search. 

Since joining the company in September 2017, Weisman has overseen marketing, product innovation, field marketing, consumer insights and advertising, as well as the brand's digital and CPG initiatives for Dunkin' U.S. The most publicly noticeable change Weisman drove was to change the branding of Dunkin’ Donuts to Dunkin’, in recognition of the chain’s increasing revenue from non-donut menu items such as coffee.

Until the appointment of a new CMO, the marketing department will report to Dave Hoffmann, Dunkin' Brands CEO and Dunkin' U.S. president. Weisman has not yet publicly stated what his next professional role will be.

"Tony has played a key role in the transformation of our brand, including our widely lauded decision to drop ‘Donuts’ from our logo, our very successful espresso relaunch, and the introduction of innovative products,” said Hoffmann. “Additionally, he has assembled a highly talented marketing and culinary team, and an award-winning group of outside creative agencies, all of whom will enable us to continue to move ahead with our plans to make Dunkin' America's most loved, beverage-led brand.”

"I am tremendously proud of all we have accomplished at Dunkin' over the past two years and proud to have been part of this incredible brand at this point in its history," said Weisman. "It has been an honor to work with this management team, our strong marketing team and a great group of franchisees. I have been a passionate Dunkin' fan my entire life and will continue to be a loyal customer as I move on to my next opportunity."