Mario Difalco Email & Phone Number

California, United States

I lead a consultancy dedicated to helping food and beverage brands achieve their next growth phase. My role includes driving strategy, innovation, and go-to-market execution while collaborating with a talented network of consultants and industry experts to deliver tailored solutions.Key Career Contributions:* Launched and drove explosive growth for brands.

Davis, California, US

• Led all innovation, product development, and commercialization efforts for the launch of transformational better-for-you products utilizing sweet proteins derived from fruits using precision fermentation.
• Introduced 2 of the industry’s first and only products sweetened with sweet proteins – Oobli™ Chocolate Bars and Oobli™ Sweet Iced Teas.
• Directed sweet protein ingredient application initiatives with 15+ partner food and beverage brands, and a wide range of protein characterization studies that support partnerships and IP filings.

Walnut Creek, CA, US

Steered the $1B+ snacking business and innovation pipeline, bringing Del Monte, Veggieful and JOYBA brands into attractive categories and channels, accelerating growth rate 2x, expanding sales by $100MM, and extending the consumer franchise into Gen Z & Millennials cohorts.

Walnut Creek, CA, US

• Directed the Innovation Center of Excellence for the $2B+ Del Monte business portfolio. Created company-wide innovation vision and strategies to deliver unprecedented growth, transforming Del Monte into an.
• Spearheaded the innovation-led company turnaround by launching the greatest level of innovation in company history, growing innovation portfolio value by 500% to $300MM in sales, representing 10%-15% of company sales.
• Transformed the entire Del Monte Foods portfolio (Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn), entering multiple frozen categories, redefining beverages, expanding presence in perimeter categories, and building brands in growth.
• Disrupted the beverage category with introduction of JOYBA bubble tea (2022 Product of the Year winner), the first boba tea shop inspired, RTD bubble teas to enter the retail channel. Significant and immediate consumer.
• Created a new sub-brand, Del Monte Veggieful, with Pocket Pies (2021 Product of the Year winner) & Riced Veggies, becoming a breakout success in the frozen category. Doubled production capacity to meet accelerating.
• Introduced DM Fruit Infusions into the perimeter, a line of fruit cup snacks with wellness benefits. Customer response 2x expectations, with Fruit Infusions becoming 2022 Product of the Year winner.

Walnut Creek, CA, US

• Owned marketing and general management of the $500MM Meals business unit (Del Monte/Contadina/S&W tomatoes, College Inn broth).
• Managed marketing planning, strategy, and program execution to strengthen brand equity while protecting distribution and share in extremely competitive categories.
• Delivered 20% profit growth in highly complex and capital-intensive Tomato category.

Petaluma, CA, US

• Directed all brand marketing, product development and marketing communication across the enterprise. Navigated rollout of new global brand strategy and “Break Free” positioning, marketing activation, and.
• Greatly improved consumer insights with significant investment in research, including logo/tagline testing, new product concept testing, and in-use testing to evaluate water consumption, product usage/feedback, and.
• Developed and launched innovative new products such as AllClear UV water purifier, wearable hydration (e.g., hydration-integrated cycling jersey), new accessories (e.g., FlowMeter water gauge), and direct-to-armor.

POWERBAR, INC., Berkeley, CA Director of Marketing - New Products / New VenturesLed all innovation and new brand launches, building PowerBar from a one-product performance bar business into a multi-platform, global sports nutrition brand. Drove 70% company sales growth in 3 years (to $140MM), with new products reaching 50% of total company sales.KEEN.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Marketing & Strategic Management

Bachelor Of Chemical Engineering - Bche