Taza Chocolate names Barbara Reilly as new marketing exec

Reilly worked for two decades at advertising firm Arnold Worldwide.

Taza Chocolate has launched three new Amaze Bars inspired by the popularity of their best-selling, ultra-dark chocolate bar: 95% Wicked Dark.

Somerville, Mass.-based Taza Chocolate has named Barbara Reilly as the company’s first chief operating officer and chief marketing officer.

Reilly joins founders Alex Whitmore and Kathleen Fulton to lead the company in the growing dark chocolate category.

“This is a dream job,” Reilly said. “Alex and Kathleen and the team have built a very solid foundation. Taza manufactures its own product, a huge advantage, and there is a focus on smart growth. Most importantly, our stone ground chocolate is bold and superior. I am literally ‘like a kid in a candy store’ every day.”

Reilly brings management and marketing experience to build on the company’s strong foundation as a manufacturer of premium, organic stone-ground chocolate. Prior to joining Taza, Reilly spent a year consulting with clients Blue Cross Blue Shield MA and Kaplan University.

Reilly also served as managing partner/executive director for advertising firm Arnold Worldwide for 20 years, responsible for managing a group of clients including John Frieda, Jergens, Santander Bank, Huntington Bank and others.

Alyse Thompson has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products Magazine since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.