Longino Will Support the Children’s Coding Franchise’s Next Phase of Development
Julie Longino joins Code Ninjas, a children’s computer-coding franchise, as chief marketing and product officer. She has experience spearheading marketing initiatives, managing platform conversions, and developing apps and websites; she holds a master’s degree in marketing from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Longino, who grew up thinking she’d become a teacher, said working for Code Ninjas was enticing because she can combine her passion for coding with her desire to educate children. She has enrolled her son in the brand’s CREATE program, and she thinks his feedback will provide her with insights to advance the brand.
“I’m most excited about what we do for our ninjas and the growth they experience, not just in coding skills but across problem-solving, analytical abilities, teamwork and more,” she said. “The benefits of learning to code are tremendous, and while I’m not directly working with kids, I hear such amazing stories and like to think I’m a small part of that child’s journey.”
Longino said she already has enjoyed working on the brand’s marketing technology infrastructure. Code Ninjas is “testing new marketing channels, supporting franchisees’ local marketing efforts and continuing to evolve our marketing strategy overall,” she said, while “focusing on the overall customer experience through the enrollment process.”
CEO Navin Gurnaney said Longino along with the brand’s new vice president of franchise development, Mike Rodrigues, bring great skills to his leadership team. “Their extensive expertise and experience in their respective fields will be invaluable as we continue to drive the growth and success of the Code Ninjas brand,” Gurnaney said.
Relating to Other Entrepreneurs
Longino’s professional background includes marketing positions for C2 Education and TaxSlayer. She also has experience as a part-owner of an app business, giving her an understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset. “I enjoy getting on calls with owners and talking through what’s working for them and how to capitalize on that, as well as how to identify what may not be working in their market and what changes to make.”
About Code Ninjas
Code Ninjas uses a game-based curriculum to foster the development of computer coding skills in 5- through 15-year-old students. Founded in 2016, the brand has hundreds of locations across North America and the United Kingdom.
