Carol Johnston Email & Phone Number

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Boundless Accelerator provides entrepreneurs with expert mentorship, programs, resources and connections to start and scale their businesses.Their programs include the national Rhyze UP! program for women-identifying business owners; the Startup Program offering educational resources, networking and mentorship; the COIL Activate Circular Accelerator; the Quantum Drive Investment Readiness Program and the i.d.e.a. Fund.Since its inception in 2010 as Innovation Guelph, the programs have grown to serve 1,400+ entrepreneurs across Ontario and Canada. I provide business advisory services to clients with particular focus on: strategic planning, innovation process, branding, marketing communications, market research, digital marketing and channel strategy (especially grocery retail).

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

STRAGENTIUM is a full-service marketing and sales agency providing consulting, research and trade relationship expertise for a range of amazing food products.

Guelph, Ontario, Canada

As an Accelerator Guelph Marketing & Innovation Mentor, I challenged entrepreneurial teams to push their #CreatedAtGuelph agri-food and biotech ideas to commercialization and ultimately change the sector.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Brands: Astro, Balderson, Beatrice, Black Diamond, Galbani, Lactantia, PRESIDENT, Racolli Directed team that:-launched 16 product lines across 7 brands and 6 product categories for the Foodservice and Ingredients divisions-collaborated with our internal chef to create menu concepts which were evaluated via NPD custom studies and presented to key customers including Tim Hortons, Wendy's, Subway, MTY and McDonald's

Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

I joined Parmalat Canada as the first dedicated marketing resource for foodservice. I was promoted to director of foodservice & ingredients within 15 months

Mississauga, Ontario

Brands: Gay Lea, Nordica, Spreadables, Ivanhoe, Salerno, Hewitt's, Private Label - retail & foodserviceI helped Ontario's largest dairy co-operative to achieve ambitious growth targets through direction of a marketing team that launched new products, maintained share dominance in very competitive categories & revitalized the brand through communication of the farmer-owned story - "Born On The Farm"​. I had full responsibility for the strategic direction of the branded and private label portfolios in retail and foodservice.My proudest moments:-Launched 12 new products contributing incremental sales and above average margin - 2 products were Grand Prix and Best New Product Award winners-Created a front end innovation & 4-stage new product process that significantly increased strategically aligned products moving into development-Uncovered Gay Lea's core brand equity through consultation with members and consumer research - the result was creation of the "Born on the Farm" platform. We told the story via traditional media, online, packaging, truck graphics. Consumers who saw the ads said they would be much more likely to purchase Gay Lea products and felt more connected to the brand

Toronto, Ontario

I was brought in to Janes to reverse declining brand performance, re-ignite the marketing and product development teams, and lead innovation efforts following 5 years with no significant new products. I held full responsibility for the strategic direction of the retail portfolio including innovation and P&L. Brands included Janes, Meal Makers, PUBSTYLE + Private LabelWithin 24 months... - grew Janes retail division sales by 10% in spite of recession-led development of 3-Year Strategic Plan- drove PUBSTYLE sales 22%- directed the ideation, development, and launch of 10 new products, 3 were selected as finalists in 2010 Canadian Grand Prix - collaborated with Sales to rebuild a partnership with Costco - led meetings with Loblaw, Sobeys, Safeway and Giant Tiger that resulted in development of new private label products

Mississauga, Ontario

Brands: Swanson, HUNGRY-MAN, Hearty Bowls, Duncan Hines, Vlasic, Lender’s Bagels, Celeste Pizza. I joined Pinnacle as their first Marketing leader and built the marketing infrastructure from scratch following their spin-off from parent Campbell’s. Pinnacle was acquired by Conagra Brands in 2018.I inherited two under-performing brands and helped grow to 5 brand “groups” realizing three-fold increase in revenue. I launched new products into Canada, rolled acquired products into the existing Pinnacle portfolio, and led the development of successful new “Made in Canada” innovations. Developed the new strategic vision and executed well-targeted consumer recruitment campaigns (PR, print, television, outdoor campaigns). Results included...- grew corporate revenues and profit 300% during tenure- launched 7 successful new products and 8 brand extensions including 3 all-Canadian frozen entrée lines- revitalized the Duncan Hines brand for a double digit gain in the first year - directed Canadian launch of Vlasic in 2004 and grew to #2 in the market

Mississauga, Ontario

At Carter-Horner, I held full brand management of the analgesic portfolio including market leading RUB A535. During my tenure...- increased successful RUB A535 a further 5 points and developed/launched RUB A535 Sports Stick - developed and launched 6 new Bentasil flavours and generated double digit growth