Darden Restructures Marketing Organization to Position Itself for Greater Growth; Announces Retirement Plans for General Counsel

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Mar 26, 2010, 12:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Darden Restaurants today announced that John Caron, executive vice president of marketing for Olive Garden, has been promoted into the newly created role of chief marketing officer for Darden, and that General Counsel Paula Shives will retire after nearly 11 years with the company.

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As chief marketing officer, Caron will report directly to Darden's chief operating officer and drive development and implementation of an integrated brand strategy across all six Darden concepts and lines of business. Darden owns and operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and the company's three Specialty Restaurant brands.

"We created this position with an eye toward establishing a marketing structure that enables stronger integration, greater innovation and accelerated growth across all of the Darden brands," said Drew Madsen, Darden's chief operating officer. "John has been instrumental in creating a highly distinctive brand identity and an incredibly loyal guest following at Olive Garden. I am confident that he, in partnership with the six strong marketing leaders at each of our brands, will drive superior guest experiences in compelling new ways and position us to capture greater market share in a maturing and increasingly competitive industry."

In his new role, Caron will serve as a strategic partner working across all brands to standardize best practices and capitalize on innovative brand-building opportunities. In addition, he will have oversight of consumer insights and talent management within the marketing organization.

Caron has nearly 25 years of marketing experience in the consumer packaged goods and restaurant industries. He joined Olive Garden as executive vice president of marketing in April 2003, and prior to that was vice president and general manager of beverages for Unilever-Best Foods North America with specific responsibility for the Lipton Beverages brand.

Darden also announced that General Counsel Paula Shives, who has been with Darden since May 1999, will retire this fall once her successor is chosen. A member of Darden's executive team, Paula is responsible for all legal affairs, including board governance, securities regulation, and labor and employment law. Prior to joining Darden, Paula served as senior vice president, secretary and general counsel for Long John Silver's.

"After practicing law for 30 years, Paula has expressed an understandable interest in spending more time with her family and becoming even more involved in her community," said Clarence Otis, Darden's chairman and chief executive officer. "Throughout Paula's tenure with Darden, she has provided legal guidance and counsel during a period of exceptional growth and change. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to thank Paula for her outstanding contributions. She has been a great champion of diversity and has served as a powerful role model for other women in our company. We will miss her and wish her well."

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates 1,800 restaurants that generate more than $7 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing approximately 180,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: General