Charles Martin Berger

Charles Martin Berger (May 2, 1936 – December 6, 2008) was an American business executive who created several well-known advertising campaigns for Heinz ketchup. He worked for Heinz for 32 years before moving on to become CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. Advertisements included "the ketchup race" from 1964 and "the slowest ketchup in the West." The campaigns also spun into the 1970s Heinz "Anticipation" commercials that used a hit song by Carly Simon.

Heinz Chairman and CEO William R. Johnson credited Berger for Heinz success with ketchup by stating that Berger's marketing ideas allowed "Heinz to break out of a tie and gain permanent leadership in ketchup." where he doubled revenue by expanding its supermarket offerings

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company In 1996, Berger became CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company. He had been on the board of Miracle-Gro since the 1980s. As CEO, Berger changed the focus of Scotts to being a more consumer oriented company by increasing advertising spending, evolving the brand from that of a chemical company. 1975-1979, Board member of the European Area Young Presidents Association 1986-1990, Trustee North Shore Hospital System 1995-2000, Executive Committee Columbus Symphony Orchestra 1995-2000, Young Presidents Organization Columbus Chapter 2003-2008, Chairman of the Board of Naples Botanical Garden 2003-2008, Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Philharmonic Center of the Arts

Personal life Berger was married to Jane Purdy Berger for 48 years preceding his death in 2008. He was survived by three children, Cary, Elizabeth and Valerie, and seven grandchildren.