PeaceWorks Announces Senior Hire to Grow KIND Brand Frank Smith Tapped to Lead KIND’s Marketing and New Business Development Teams June 9, 2008 (New York, NY) – Today PeaceWorks Holdings announced the hiring of Frank Smith as Vice President of Marketing and New Business Development to lead the expansion and growth of KIND Fruit+Nut Bars, the best-selling brand of all-natural nutrition bars. Prior to joining KIND, Smith was Vice President, Emerging Markets at Dale and Thomas Popcorn. At Dale and Thomas, Smith identified, implemented, managed and grew the Dale and Thomas Popcorn brand in multiple channels including major retail throughout the U.S. His involvement helped lead Dale and Thomas Popcorn through successful initiatives such as their Organic Lemonade and Popcorn Bar launches.
Smith adds over 20 years of diverse experience to the KIND team, including business development, management, business development strategy, product development and marketing. “When we set out to find someone to manage our marketing and new business development teams in response to KIND’s explosive growth, we hoped to find a strong leader with solid experience across business disciplines,” said Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and CEO of PeaceWorks. “Given Frank Smith’s diverse and impressive experience, there’s no question we have found a perfect leader for KIND’s marketing and new business development units as the brand continues its rapid ascent as a leader in healthy snacking.” “KIND is emerging from its status as one of the best kept secrets in healthy snacking to an established category leader. When you consider KIND’s growth since launching four years ago and the rapidly expanding market for healthy foods, the KIND’s potential as a brand is almost limitless,” said Smith. “What’s more, it’s personally rewarding to work for a company where social responsibility is so ingrained in the company’s history, culture, and product offerings.” Smith’s hiring follows explosive growth by the KIND Fruit + Nut Bar brand since the first bars were sold in 2004. In a recent SPINS Market Data report measuring growth over the past year, KIND was identified as one of top four selling brands of nutrition bars in natural food stores across the United States. Additionally, after adding several retail outlets to its growing roster in early 2008, KIND is now sold in nearly every major retail and grocery chain in the United States including 7-11, Albertson’s, A&P, Duane Reade, Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Wal-Mart, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Vitamin Shoppe. KIND also recently expanded international sales to include distribution in countries across four continents.
PeaceWorks has doubled its staff over the past 12 months and is looking to fill several additional positions in sales, marketing and operations to manage its growth. “As KIND grows and expands its distribution network, which now includes international sales, it’s important to have the right leadership in place,” said Rami Leshem, Senior Vice President of Sales. “We’re thrilled to welcome Frank Smith to the KIND family and we are confident we have found the ideal leader for our marketing and new business development teams.” Media Contact:
Phil Walotsky
(212) 616-3006 x210
philip@peaceworks.net
About KIND Fruit+Nut Bars KIND is an award-winning brand of all-natural fruit and nut bars made by Peaceworks, a “not-only-for-profit” gourmet and healthy foods company based out of New York, NY. Since its launch in 2004, KIND’s handmade bars have quickly ascended the ranks of the nutrition bar category to become one of the Top 4 selling brands in natural food stores across the United States, according to SPINS Market Data. Available in over 20,000 locations in every state in the U.S., KIND offers a delicious, wholesome, and healthy alternative to the mash-up energy bars largely composed of emulsified grain and other fillers. Among other high praise and awards, KIND won Health Magazine’s “Snack of the Year” in 2005. Learn more about KIND by visiting us online at www.kindsnacks.com. About PeaceWorks Holdings LLC PeaceWorks Holdings LLC is a “not-only-for-profit” gourmet and healthy foods company based out of New York, NY. Since its beginnings in 1994, PeaceWorks Holdings has been a business that pursues both profit and peace. PeaceWorks currently sells three different lines of products: KIND Fruit + Nut Bars, Bali Spice (Asian cooking sauces), and MEDITALIA Tapenades and Pestos. KIND is an award-winning brand of all-natural fruit and nut bars that donates five percent of profits to the PeaceWorks Foundation’s philanthropic efforts. Bali Spice is a gourmet line of ready-to-use sauces from Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisine, and made in a woman-owned factory in Indonesia, through the cooperation of Christians, Buddhists and Muslims. MEDITALIA Tapenades and Pestos are produced in Israel through cooperation between Israelis and Arabs from neighborhood countries. Similar to KIND, five percent of profits from Bali Spice and MEDITALIA sales also go to the PeaceWorks Foundation. The PeaceWorks Foundation is a non-profit organization that fosters co-existence between people in conflict across the world, and particularly in the Middle East. The company has made such an impact with its efforts that in December 2007, PeaceWorks won Fast Company’s “Social Capitalist Award” for the fourth consecutive year. The Foundation’s hallmark project is The OneVoice Movement, the leading grassroots organization in Israel and Palestine helping to amplify moderate Israeli and Palestinian voices against violence and extremism. Learn more about PeaceWorks and OneVoice Movement at www.peaceworks.com and www.onemillionvoices.org.
