Brand Marketing Summer Internship

Central Specialty Pet, a division of Central Garden & Pet, is looking for driven and curious Summer 2027 Brand Marketing Interns to join our team in Franklin, WI (metro-Milwaukee). This is a paid, 10-week summer internship supporting two of our leading pet and outdoor brands:
Kaytee and C&S.

Our interns work directly on brands that serve passionate pet parents and wild bird enthusiasts across the country:

• Kaytee – A category-leading brand serving small animals and birds with a full range of nutrition, habitat, and care solutions.
• C&S – A market leader in suet and wild bird feeding products.

And yes — the pets behind our brands are part of our daily work life. From rabbits and guinea pigs to hamsters and birds, our office is home to the very animals we support, creating a uniquely hands‑on environment where our products and purpose come to life.

As a Brand Marketing Intern, you’ll gain hands‑on experience supporting nationally recognized brands in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. You’ll contribute to real business initiatives, collaborate cross‑functionally, and see firsthand how brand strategy translates into marketplace results.

If you’re excited to turn classroom learning into real‑world brand impact, this is your opportunity.

• Lead and contribute to meaningful, high‑impact business projects that directly influence brand performance.
• Gain hands‑on experience in brand strategy, product innovation, and integrated marketing campaign development.
• Develop a deeper understanding of B2B marketing operations
  , retailer dynamics, and how brands compete and grow within the CPG industry
  .
• Build exposure to cross‑functional teams including eCommerce, Digital Marketing, Creative Services, Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, and Consumer Insights
  , with opportunities for learning sessions and collaborative training.
• Receive ongoing coaching and mentorship from experienced marketing leaders.
• Experience a fully immersive internship designed to mirror full‑time brand marketing roles.
• Opportunity to be considered for full‑time employment based on performance and business needs.
• Experience a workplace that truly lives its brands — including an office environment shared with small pets and birds that bring energy and authenticity to our everyday work.

• Co‑lead development of new product concepts from insight through commercialization planning.
• Develop integrated marketing communication campaigns, including corresponding digital and social media strategy.
• Support go‑to‑market strategy for new or existing product lines.
• Identify growth opportunities within targeted consumer segments or retail channels.

• Diving into target consumer segmentations and persona development.
• Conducting competitive shopping and analysis across key retailers.
• Evaluating brand strategy within a defined market or consumer target.
• Performing market, category, and brand performance analysis.
• Leveraging marketing technology and AI tools to support insight development and campaign planning.

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university, preferably pursuing a degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field, with a strong academic record.
• Rising Junior or Senior status preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in brand marketing, strategy, consumer insights, digital marketing, or analytics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Analytical and strategic thinking skills, with curiosity about market trends and consumer behavior.
• Proven leadership, initiative, and ability to…