ABOUT
“If it feels like there’s a lot of me talking about me on here — yeah, I feel like there is too.”
— Tony Pullaro
— Tony Pullaro
Tony Pullaro is an award-winning marketing, communications, and brand strategist who has held executive leadership roles across hospitality, healthcare innovation, and science-based consumer product companies. With more than 15 years of experience, he has led multi-channel marketing, brand development, public relations, digital transformation, and organizational communications for both regional brands and nationally recognized businesses. His background blends creative storytelling with operational leadership, helping organizations strengthen brand visibility, customer engagement, and long-term growth.
A Tampa native through and through, Tony was born, raised, and educated in the Tampa Bay area he proudly represents — and remains deeply connected to its culture, hospitality, and evolving creative landscape. He initially pursued broadcast journalism at the University of Tampa before discovering a passion for marketing, where he found the perfect intersection of media, communication, design, and relationship-building. Over the years, he has become known for building brands that feel both culturally relevant and commercially effective, with experience spanning marketing leadership, sales enablement, customer retention strategy, events, and cross-functional team management.
Throughout his career, Tony has helped grow brands across hospitality, wellness, and consumer products through a mix of marketing, storytelling, PR, and relationship-driven strategy. His experience includes restaurant launches, ecommerce development, integrated digital campaigns, CRM and lifecycle marketing, events, and strategic brand partnerships — always with a focus on creating work that feels authentic, memorable, and community-centered. He has led marketing and communications efforts during periods of rapid growth, brand evolution, and organizational scale, collaborating with chefs, physicians, media personalities, nonprofit organizations, and executive leadership teams to create campaigns that not only generate awareness, but also strengthen long-term customer connection, retention, and brand loyalty. His work frequently bridges creative direction with performance-driven strategy, including customer journey development, ROAS-focused digital campaigns, and sales-support initiatives designed to drive measurable business impact.
Beyond his professional work, Tony has remained actively involved in nonprofit and community initiatives throughout the Tampa Bay area. He has supported fundraising, awareness, and community engagement efforts benefiting organizations including Empath Partners in Care, Toys for Tots, and CJ Paws Rescue, helping raise funds and community support through annual initiatives, partnerships, and local events.
Recognized for both his creative and leadership contributions, Tony has been honored and awarded by the American Advertising Federation, including serving as President during the 2021–2022 term. He has also been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, while his work, partnerships, and media initiatives have been featured by nationally and locally recognized outlets and organizations including Good Morning America, Food & Wine, Netflix, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and other local and national media platforms.
Highlights
• Secured national media coverage and brand placements across Food & Wine, Netflix, Travel Channel, HLN, and major regional media outlets.
• Led the nationally recognized “Eat Like Jesse” campaign featuring Jesse Palmer on Good Morning America.
• Directed PR and branding efforts for Dr. BBQ The Restaurant alongside Food Network personality Ray Lampe.
• Named among Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Top 5 Favorite PR/Marketing Professionals.”
• Featured in regional lifestyle, hospitality, and media coverage including TBO Seen and Tampa Bay business publications.
• Awarded by the American Advertising Federation Tampa Bay for creative and marketing excellence.
• Served as President of the American Advertising Federation Tampa Bay during the 2021–2022 term.
A Tampa native through and through, Tony was born, raised, and educated in the Tampa Bay area he proudly represents — and remains deeply connected to its culture, hospitality, and evolving creative landscape. He initially pursued broadcast journalism at the University of Tampa before discovering a passion for marketing, where he found the perfect intersection of media, communication, design, and relationship-building. Over the years, he has become known for building brands that feel both culturally relevant and commercially effective, with experience spanning marketing leadership, sales enablement, customer retention strategy, events, and cross-functional team management.
Throughout his career, Tony has helped grow brands across hospitality, wellness, and consumer products through a mix of marketing, storytelling, PR, and relationship-driven strategy. His experience includes restaurant launches, ecommerce development, integrated digital campaigns, CRM and lifecycle marketing, events, and strategic brand partnerships — always with a focus on creating work that feels authentic, memorable, and community-centered. He has led marketing and communications efforts during periods of rapid growth, brand evolution, and organizational scale, collaborating with chefs, physicians, media personalities, nonprofit organizations, and executive leadership teams to create campaigns that not only generate awareness, but also strengthen long-term customer connection, retention, and brand loyalty. His work frequently bridges creative direction with performance-driven strategy, including customer journey development, ROAS-focused digital campaigns, and sales-support initiatives designed to drive measurable business impact.
Beyond his professional work, Tony has remained actively involved in nonprofit and community initiatives throughout the Tampa Bay area. He has supported fundraising, awareness, and community engagement efforts benefiting organizations including Empath Partners in Care, Toys for Tots, and CJ Paws Rescue, helping raise funds and community support through annual initiatives, partnerships, and local events.
Recognized for both his creative and leadership contributions, Tony has been honored and awarded by the American Advertising Federation, including serving as President during the 2021–2022 term. He has also been recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, while his work, partnerships, and media initiatives have been featured by nationally and locally recognized outlets and organizations including Good Morning America, Food & Wine, Netflix, the Tampa Bay Business Journal, and other local and national media platforms.
Highlights
• Secured national media coverage and brand placements across Food & Wine, Netflix, Travel Channel, HLN, and major regional media outlets.
• Led the nationally recognized “Eat Like Jesse” campaign featuring Jesse Palmer on Good Morning America.
• Directed PR and branding efforts for Dr. BBQ The Restaurant alongside Food Network personality Ray Lampe.
• Named among Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Top 5 Favorite PR/Marketing Professionals.”
• Featured in regional lifestyle, hospitality, and media coverage including TBO Seen and Tampa Bay business publications.
• Awarded by the American Advertising Federation Tampa Bay for creative and marketing excellence.
• Served as President of the American Advertising Federation Tampa Bay during the 2021–2022 term.