Kirk Tanner

President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Hershey Company (The)

Search every verified Kirk Tanner interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Kirk Tanner, President and CEO of Hershey, discussed the company's strategy for maintaining cultural relevance and long-term growth in a September 2026 podcast interview. He stated that a brand's failure to stay culturally relevant is a cause for concern and cited Hershey's involvement in the Olympics as an example of connecting with current culture. Tanner emphasized two priorities for sustainable growth: the health of core brands and innovation into categories with high growth potential. Tanner also addressed recent criticism from Brad Reese, grandson of H.B. Reese, over recipe changes in some Reese's products, saying that critics are always present and that the company listens to consumer feedback. He noted that Reese's is being expanded internationally to markets such as the UK, Mexico, and Brazil. Additionally, Tanner described how Hershey uses AI tools to route its sales force in real time to specific retail locations, such as Target and Walmart, and highlighted the Reese's Oreo collaboration, which he said generated $100 million in its first five months, as a model for brand innovation.