Sussex IM has named Robert (“Bobby”) Dodd President and Chief Marketing Officer of its new Sussex Brands division.  Sussex Brands is a Business-to-Consumer oriented unit.

Dodd will report to Keith Everson, CEO, Sussex IM. He was most recently president of MoGo Sport, makers of innovative sports protective gear, such as flavored mouth guards.  MoGo LLC has been acquired by Sussex IM.

“We anticipate significant upside in the direct-to-retail channel,” said Everson.  “The ideal person to help Sussex Brands attain its full potential is Bobby Dodd.  He is innovation-oriented, and he has extensive sales and marketing experience with consumer products in a wide range of channels.  Bobby’s mission is to help further diversify the company through the creation of innovative branded products sold direct to retail.” 

Prior to his leadership of MoGo Sport, Dodd was vice president of sales for Shock Doctor Sports, leading makers of sports protective gear, where he maintained annual growth rates of more than 20 percent and diversified the company’s product offerings.

As owner of High Willow Holdings, which operated a popular regional manufacturer-wholesaler of frozen foods, Dodd reduced company overhead by 84 percent, enhanced supply chain efficiencies and grew the customer base significantly.

Previously, Dodd was southwestern regional manager of the Meow Mix Company, which was purchased from Nestle/Purina.  Here, he launched a new logistics and pricing platforms, implemented trade funding and forecasting systems and led all sales and promotional efforts for this major consumer brand.

In addition to marketing and promotion work for CPG manufacturers including Mueller’s pasta, Kellogg’s, Frito Lay, General Mills, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Pillsbury, Nabisco, Dannon and more, Dodd’s professional experience includes 12 years with The Pillsbury Company.

Most recently, he was Pillsbury’s National Team Leader, where he led the extensive national group managing the Albertson’s account.  Here, he also directed strategic sales initiatives for the company’s portfolio of North American brands.

Dodd earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southern Illinois University.