Darren Hopkins

Darren Hopkins is a Strategic Brand Marketing Consultant based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the founder of GrowthDriver, a consultancy aimed at helping consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies achieve growth and assisting private equity firms in evaluating acquisition targets. He has extensive experience in marketing and strategy, particularly in consumer products, management, and market research.

Professional Background

Darren began his career as an entrepreneur after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan. He created and sold a small distribution company and a brand called Wanna Snack. He later pursued an MBA in Marketing from York University's Schulich School of Business, which led him to join General Mills, where he gained foundational experience in brand marketing.

His career includes significant roles at various blue-chip companies, where he learned the importance of consumer insights in developing effective marketing strategies. At Landis, a consulting firm, he utilized advanced consumer research to drive growth for major brands like Miller Lite and Taco Bell. He also served as Vice President of Marketing for Kainos Capital's SlimFast acquisition, where he successfully launched multiple product innovations that significantly increased sales.

Current Role

At GrowthDriver, Darren focuses on bridging the growth gap for CPG companies and enhancing the due diligence process for private equity acquisitions. His approach emphasizes understanding consumer needs and leveraging insights to create impactful marketing strategies.1