Taco Bell’s mobile guru jumps to Whole Foods

Jeff Jenkins, the architect of Taco Bell’s much-admired mobile strategy and execution, has left the chain to become the head of digital strategy and marketing for the Whole Foods supermarket chain.

Jenkins made the switch last month without an announcement by Taco Bell or Whole Foods. He confirmed the change, fittingly, in a tweet.

His successor at Taco Bell has not yet been publicly announced.

As the quick-service chain’s director of digital experiences, Jenkins was responsible for many of the mobile and digital innovations that earned Taco Bell recognition as being among the industry’s best in using those new communications tools. During his tenure, the chain developed and launched the Live Mas smartphone app, and made headlines with a number of social media stunts, such as inviting customers to a speakeasy-like spot in New York City to try a new product.

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