Former Dunkin’ Donuts president Will Kussel to visit SU’s Newhouse School Feb. 25

Will Kussel, former president and chief brand officer of Dunkin’ Donuts Worldwide, will visit Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications on Thursday, Feb. 25, as part of the Advertising Leadership Speaker Series. He will speak on “Brand Transformation” at 6:30 p.m. in the Joyce Hergenhan Auditorium in Newhouse 3. His talk is free and open to the public. Parking is available in SU pay lots.

Kussell reinvigorated the Dunkin’ Donuts brand and took the company from a struggling chain of donut shops to “America runs on Dunkin.’” His speech will focus on the repositioning effort he spearheaded.

Kussell was responsible for all domestic and international operations, marketing, franchising and new store growth for the Dunkin’ Donuts brand. Under his leadership, the company continued its global expansion, adding new stores in its existing markets while expanding into dozens of new markets, both in the United States and overseas. He also implemented the company’s focus on coffee.

Kussell began his career with Dunkin’ Brands in 1994 as a senior vice president of marketing and purchasing for Dunkin’ Donuts and was promoted to president of Dunkin’ Donuts in 1996. As retail concept officer for Dunkin’ Brands, he oversaw marketing, retail operating systems, supply chain and strategic planning for Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo’s worldwide. In June 2003, Kussell was named chief operating officer for Dunkin’ Brands.

Prior to joining Dunkin’ Brands, Kussell was vice president of marketing for Reebok International and the international group product manager for Polaroid.

For more information, contact Ed Gorham at (315) 443-4926 or ejgorham@syr.edu.