Joe Mellenbruch

I bring a reporter's discipline, a marketer's instincts and a communicator's clarity to every assignment. Storytelling is the through-line of my career, with writing experience that spans from newsrooms to boardrooms.

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Ribbon Pepperoni Revolution

Inspired by the pizza stylings of Windsor, Ontario, Hormel Foodservice introduced Ribbon Pepperoni to streamline back-of-house prep while delivering bold flavor.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Beyond the Blue Can

Around the world, people are exploring new ways to enjoy SPAM® products, proving that a familiar favorite — even an icon — can still appeal to modern audiences.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Curating Confidence

As charcuterie grows in popularity, the COLUMBUS® brand is helping both shoppers and retail teams feel confident exploring this flavorful tradition in fresh, accessible ways.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Hometown Turkey Takeover

This holiday donation event united neighbors and volunteers in a heartfelt show of community spirit, as 5,000 JENNIE‑O® turkeys were handed out to local families.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

All Ideas Are Welcome

At Hormel Foods, innovation starts anywhere. Team members share ideas freely, inspiring occasional product breakthroughs and a culture where every voice is heard.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

'He was the right guy for the job'

With Hormel Foods expanding in China, R&D ace Tony Muller was asked to bring his expertise overseas, helping local teams navigate growing complexity.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Changing by Choice

From engineering to finance, John Hernandez’s career journey shows how Hormel Foods creates opportunities for people ready to build on every new step they take.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Harmony in Motion

At Hormel Foods, Audrey Murphy strikes a balance between food‑safety excellence and her musical passions, creating the harmony that fuels her life.

Hormel Foods • 17th August 2023

SPAM® Responds to Maui Wildfires

PRESS RELEASE: Alongside Convoy of Hope, Hormel Foods mobilized five truckloads of SPAM® products to Maui, delivering essential support in the wake of the wildfires.

Hormel Foods • 1st November 2023

SPAM® Fans Unite to Support Maui

PRESS RELEASE: A limited‑edition SPAM® branded T‑shirt effort helped raise $160,000 for Aloha United Way’s Maui Fire Relief Fund.

Hormel Foods • 1st April 2024

SPAM® Brand Sends Aloha to Hawaii

PRESS RELEASE: Honoring its long-standing bond with the Hawaiian community, the SPAM® brand team unveils customized, limited-edition collectors can.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Beyond the Blue Can

Around the world, people are exploring new ways to enjoy SPAM® products, proving that a familiar favorite — even an icon — can still appeal to modern audiences.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Innovation at its Crunchiest

Hormel Foods acquired a long‑dormant CORN NUTS® line and revived it with fresh flavors, new insights and bold innovation that reignited consumer excitement.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Curating Confidence

As charcuterie grows in popularity, the COLUMBUS® brand is helping both shoppers and retail teams feel confident exploring this flavorful tradition in fresh, accessible ways.

Hormel Foods • 26th September 2024

Bakin' Bacon Better

PRESS RELEASE: The makers of BLACK LABEL® Bacon introduce a first-of-its-kind convenience product: OVEN READY™ Thick Cut Bacon with Oven Safe Tray.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Innovation On Demand

A single retailer request sparked what is now the HORMEL GATHERINGS® brand, showing how Hormel Foods turns real‑world needs into breakthrough ideas.

Hormel Foods • 30th November 2023

Hormel Foods Hits 100 on Corporate Equality Index

PRESS RELEASE: Recognized for advancing LGBTQ+ workplace equality, Hormel Foods achieves a perfect score on the 2023–24 Corporate Equality Index.

Hormel Foods • 20th November 2023

Biden Pardons JENNIE-O® Turkeys

PRESS RELEASE: The JENNIE‑O® brand celebrates a long-held White House tradition as its turkeys, Liberty and Bell, are pardoned by President Joseph R. Biden.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Hometown Turkey Takeover

This holiday donation event united neighbors and volunteers in a heartfelt show of community spirit, as 5,000 JENNIE‑O® turkeys were handed out to local families.

Hormel Foods • 11th July 2023

Hormel Foods a Destination for Innovators

PRESS RELEASE: Hormel Foods cracks the Fast Company "100 Best Workplaces for Innovators" list, a testament to the company's innovation-forward culture.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Ribbon Pepperoni Revolution

Inspired by the pizza stylings of Windsor, Ontario, Hormel Foodservice introduced Ribbon Pepperoni to streamline back-of-house prep while delivering bold flavor.

Hormel Foods • 5th March 2025

Hot Honey Sliced Sausage is Here

PRESS RELEASE: Hot honey on pizza is booming. Hormel Foods, a pizza giant, naturally took notice. The result? FONTANINI® Hot Honey Sliced Sausage.

Hormel Foods • 27th March 2025

2025 Pizza Trends Forecast

PRESS RELEASE: From the 2025 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, the experts at Hormel Foods dish out their take on the pizza industry’s hottest trends.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Meat Snack Mania

From Funky Nuts to thin‑cut jerky, Hormel Foods has steadily become a major force in China’s snack scene, winning over consumers with each new launch.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Long Days and Lifelong Dreams

With steady support from the Hormel Foods community, Hteet Powl balanced his full-time role with the hard work of bringing his entrepreneurial dreams to life.

Hormel Foods • 7th May 2024

Hormel Foods Addresses Childcare Needs in Austin

PRESS RELEASE: Marking a major investment in its hometown of Austin, Hormel Foods opens a new $5 million childcare center for the community.

Hormel Foods • 2nd February 2026

Leading with Purpose

From coaching youth sports to leading Foodservice teams, John Kenyon embodies Hormel Foods’ belief in purpose‑driven, supportive leadership.

Rochester Post Bulletin • 5th November 2022

Erickson Kicks Chatfield to State

After an injury cost him his junior year, Jacob Erickson returned as a senior and delivered the moment that ultimately propelled Chatfield back to the state tournament.

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