Darryl Gordon of San Diego Foodie Fan. Courtesy Rick Griffin/MarketInk
Darryl Gordon of San Diego Foodie Fan. Courtesy Rick Griffin/MarketInk

 San Diego’s Darryl Gordon has two vocations.

During weekdays, Gordon continues his 30-year career in high-tech marketing as VP of marketing at MediKeeper, a San Diego-based software company. Founded 20 years ago, MediKeeper is a digital wellness platform that provides resources that help customers manage their population’s health.

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But during nights and weekends, Gordon’s second job is creating digital content, including videos, blog articles, and photography for San Diego Foodie Fan and his San Diego Foodie Fan Instagram account.

“I describe myself as a food and travel enthusiast who wants to explore the world one dish at a time,” Gordon told Times of San Diego. “I’ve always had an obsession with food since forever.”

Gordon’s marketing career has included executive management roles at several local companies, including Enviance, a cloud-based enterprise; Breach Security, a web application for sensitive, web-based information; Kintera, a provider of customer relationship management and content management software; Memec, a global semiconductor distributor; and Websense, a web filtering and security software company.

In 1999, 2000, and 2001, Gordon helped create Super Bowl TV commercials for Mail Boxes Etc., a San Diego company acquired in March 2001 and rebranded as The UPS Store. His promotional efforts were named “Best New Idea for the Super Bowl” by Ad Age magazine.

When COVID-19 hit, Gordon’s two daughters encouraged him to establish a foodie website and Instagram account.

“In four years on Instagram, we’ve grown from zero to 47,000 followers,” said Gordon, 57. “I’ve written blog posts on over 500 local restaurants and created over 3,600 posts on Instagram.”

Earlier this year, San Diego Magazine has named Gordon as a “San Diego Food Influencer to Follow Right Now.”

Recent posts are titled, “Everything You Need To Try on In-N-Out’s Secret Menu,” “The Flavors and Culture of a Basque Pintxo Bar,” “The Best Fish and Chips in San Diego,” and “Your Guide to San Diego’s Most Festive Pop-Up Bars.” Other posts have highlighted restaurants in Encinitas and Del Mar.

Creating content for San Diego Foodie Fan is a family affair for the Gordons. On most evenings, Darryl and his wife Deborah go out to a restaurant for an evening meal. Sometimes, daughters Danielle, 24, and Dana, 21, join their parents.

“As often as possible, we plan a family meal out someplace,” said Gordon. “It’s great to sit down and talk with the wife, or spend time with the kids and find out what’s going on.”

Darryl and Deborah have been married for 29 years. Danielle works remotely in San Diego for Twenty4 PR, a Los Angeles-based public relations agency specializing in celebrity publicity. Dana is a senior at Indiana University, majoring in merchandising and marketing.

Gordon selects that night’s eatery based on recommendations from readers and business associations, as well as invitations from a chef or restaurant owner.

“My favorite scenario starts with an insider tip about a restaurant that needs help telling their story to potential customers,” said Gordon. “Maybe I’ll talk with the chef about ingredients and recipes. I love to interview chefs who are passionate about food and who love their jobs.

“Then, I’ll write the story and post a video. Later I’ll hear that the place is now packed with guests. That’s most gratifying about my role as a restaurant blogger. It’s not a job for me. I do it because I love food.”

Gordon says exercise has helped him avoid gaining extra pounds. “My best friend is my treadmill,” he said.

MindgruveMacarta Hires former Amazon Exec

MindgruveMacarta, a San Diego-based marketing agency, reports it has hired Janaka Atugoda as managing director, global ad-tech solutions.

Atugoda, who will be based in London, will lead MindgruveMacarta’s consulting division, including the agency’s proprietary Systemm, an enterprise predictive marketing analytics platform, the agency said.

Prior to joining MindgruveMacarta, Atugoda worked at Amazon in global ad-tech solutions and served such clients as Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, Mars Confection & Pet Nutrition, Coca-Cola, and Peloton. Before Amazon, he led data strategy for Johnson & Johnson operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. 

“Atugoda brings more than a decade of expertise in ad-tech and data strategy, overseeing global solutions for Fortune 500 brands,” said Chad Robley, chairman and chief executive officer of MindgruveMacarta. “His leadership comes at a pivotal moment as we expand our data consulting and marketing technology capabilities worldwide.”

MindgruveMacarta said Atugoda’s appointment underscores the agency’s integrated offering of creative, performance marketing, retail media and advanced analytics for global brands.

“MindgruveMacarta is at the forefront of performance marketing, retail media and data innovation,” said Atugoda. “The opportunity to shape how we leverage proprietary technology and expand our international presence is exciting, but it’s the agency’s collaborative culture, innovative spirit and visionary leadership that truly inspires me.”

Alternative Strategies Representing Tour de Tapas

Alternative Strategies, a San Diego marketing and public relations agency specializing in restaurant and hospitality clients, has announced it is now representing Tour de Tapas, 8323 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. The restaurant, featuring a Spanish, French and Italian cuisine, opened in mid-December in space previously occupied by Papalo BBQ.

The agency, now in its 25th year in business, said it will provide public relations, social media and marketing services, along with logo design and website management to Tour de Tapas. It also said the restaurant is perfect for casual gatherings, date nights or an impromptu culinary getaway. The website said, “Every meal is an adventure and every plate tells a story.”

William Lopez opened Alternative Strategies in 2000.

Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.