Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Erin (Dixson) Levzow '06
Global chief marketing officer of Museum of Ice Cream; Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Erin (Dixson) Levzow left Illinois State University’s campus with a bachelor’s degree in hand and a job in theatre. She left town with whatever fit in her car and set off for the bright lights of Las Vegas.
That trip hardly compares to Levzow’s professional journey. She’s worked in multiple industries, ran her own consulting firm, and led marketing efforts for casino gambling and entertainment, hotels and resorts, and nationwide chains of restaurants. She’s currently the global chief marketing officer of the Museum of Ice Cream, with locations in Austin, Texas; Chicago; New York City; Shanghai; and Singapore.
Levzow’s theatre training at Illinois State prepared her to manage a 1,600-seat theatre and box office with Caesars Entertainment. After a year of that, she shifted to a new role as a training talent and development specialist. One year later, she became an internet marketer for the operation, managing a multimillion-dollar budget.
A career in marketing was launched. Levzow went on to marketing roles with MGM Resorts International and the Palms Casino Resort. In 2013, she entered a new industry as director of digital marketing, social media, customer relationship management, and ecommerce for Wingstop. She then became the chief marketing officer for Freebirds World Burrito.
Levzow has since served in roles with marketing technology agency Hathaway (now Bounteous), and Marcus Hotels & Resorts. She’s president of 414digital, Milwaukee’s Digital Marketing Association. She’s an advisory board member of the Internet Marketing Association, and an advisor to BUILT BY GIRLS, a career preparation organization supporting female and nonbinary students as they enter the workforce.
Levzow is a prized speaker at marketing conferences, having keynoted the Email Insider Summit, AdAge, Adweek, and Brand Innovators events. She was named CMO of the Year by Milwaukee Business Journal. She earned a Top 25 Future is Female Award from Advertising Week. She’s also been recognized as one of the “Top 25 Women to Watch” in Mobile Marketing by Mobile Marketer.
Levzow has returned to Illinois State’s campus to speak with current theatre students. She’s been active in community organizations like the American Heart Association, Lighthouse Youth Ministry, and Safe Families.