Ep. 96: Miguel Zorrilla, Senior Vice President, Marketing at Central Garden & Pet, on Career Reinvention, Legacy Brands, and Leading the Next Generation

Miguel Zorrilla, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Central Garden & Pet, joins host Karina Jimenez to share the career journey that took him from internships at MTV and Island Def Jam to an unexpected role in HR at Mars Wrigley, where he discovered his path into brand marketing. He reflects on his experience working with iconic brands like Snickers, Twix, and Butterfinger before making the intentional leap into the pet care industry. Miguel also shares his approach to keeping legacy brands relevant, including how his team reimagined Butterfinger’s classic campaign through the “Butterfinger Investigators” concept, preserving what made the brand recognizable while finding new ways to connect with consumers. Miguel and Karina also explore why leadership requires adapting to different personalities, generations, and working styles, and how creating team charters can help build stronger collaboration. He reflects on the importance of taking ownership of your career, stepping outside your comfort zone, and finding mentors and advocates who can offer perspective along the way. For the next generation of leaders, Miguel encourages building a diverse skill set rather than chasing recognizable brands, staying curious, and developing genuine relationships throughout your career. Above all, his advice is to follow your passion and remember that success is just as much about enjoying the journey as it is about reaching the next milestone.