BRAVE COMMERCE

DescriptionIn this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstadter speak with Colleen Orani, Vice President of Global Marketing at Energizer Holdings. Colleen shares how Energizer moved from a fragmented media structure to one unified under a single leader, combining national media, shopper marketing, and content development.She discusses the realities of leading marketing across brands with very different consumer behaviors, from impulse buys like batteries to more considered purchases like auto care. Colleen offers a transparent look into how Energizer is balancing long-term strategy with rapid fire execution, all while managing evolving retailer relationships and media investments.Key takeawaysA unified approach to national and retail media enables stronger consumer engagement across all stages of the purchase journeyCategories require tailored media strategies – impulse brands are “clicky,” while others demand deeper “scrolly” contentDriving shared accountability across marketing, sales, and content teams ensures adaptability in a volatile market

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter sit down with Alison Levin, President of Advertising and Partnerships at NBCUniversal. With more than a decade of experience shaping the connected TV landscape, Alison shares how NBCUniversal is combining premium content, retail data partnerships, and shoppable formats to deliver results for today’s commerce-driven marketers.Alison discusses what advertisers should expect from their CTV investments, how NBCUniversal is partnering with platforms like Instacart and Walmart Connect to prove incrementality, and why streaming environments must be evaluated beyond reach alone.Key takeaways:Not all streaming is created equal – evaluating content environments is critical for effective media planningCommerce activations tied to premium content are already driving seven-figure product salesReal-time attribution and optimization are reshaping how TV advertising is bought, measured, and scaled

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter sit down with Randi Jachino, Vice President of Marketing (US & Canada) at Prestige Consumer Healthcare. With a portfolio spanning over 25 brands across categories like oral care, motion sickness, and women’s health, Randi shares how she applies both analytical and creative thinking to manage diverse consumer needs and business goals.From starting her career as a CPA to leading marketing for powerhouse brands like Dramamine, DenTek, and Summer’s Eve, Randi discusses how to build brand equity without losing sight of immediate performance. She unpacks how Prestige strategically prioritizes brands within the portfolio, adapts to the realities of tariffs, retail pressure, and social virality, and ensures that upper-funnel and lower-funnel tactics work hand in hand.Key takeaways:There is no one-size-fits-all marketing strategy across a portfolio – each brand requires a tailored approach based on its role, category, and consumer mindsetBrand equity and short-term sales are not mutually exclusive – strong awareness drives stronger conversionRetail search and social content must align with the shopper’s intent and category behavior, from product education to conversion readiness

Podcast Description:In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Sylvia Buxton, President and CEO of Perfetti Van Melle Americas, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to explore how impulse brands like Airheads and Mentos are thriving in a digitally transformed retail landscape.Sylvia shares how her team is reimagining impulse marketing for both eCommerce and brick-and-mortar environments, adapting traditional trade spend strategies, and maintaining brand relevance in a world of evolving consumer behaviors. With a forward-thinking approach to media diversification, retail media integration, and category innovation, Sylvia offers a masterclass in leading through change while staying true to brand fundamentals.Key Takeaways:Impulse marketing must evolve – Digital shopping behaviors demand new approaches to staying top-of-mind at the point of purchase.Retail media blurs lines between trade and marketing – Collaborative ownership and clear accountability are key to navigating investments across the funnel.Consumer shifts present new opportunities – Changing health trends and digital habits require brands to innovate both products and engagement strategies.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Laura Knebusch, SVP of CPG Marketing and Consumer Experience at Georgia-Pacific, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss how she’s evolving the role of marketing inside a legacy CPG organization.Laura shares how her team has shifted from traditional brand marketing to a full-funnel strategy that integrates national media, retail media, and shopper marketing. She talks about the benefits of housing retail media within marketing, the power of consistent measurement through in-house MMM, and the importance of building modern marketing talent with agility, curiosity, and resourcefulness.Key TakeawaysMarketing must do more than storytelling – it must deliver consistent experiences across every consumer touchpointRetail media belongs within marketing when collaboration and shared metrics guide investment decisionsMeasurement and MarTech only work when paired with strong change management and hands-on training across the organization

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Justin Noland, VP of Digital Experience at Treasury Wine Estates, joins host Rachel Tipograph and guest co-host Melissa Burdick live from the ShopTalk floor. Together, they explore how Treasury is responding to challenges facing the wine industry while building stronger digital and consumer experiences.Justin explains how the company addresses climate change, regulatory hurdles, and shifting preferences by combining innovation, sustainability, and storytelling. He also shares his perspective on luxury growth, retail media in a restricted category, and how Treasury approaches influencer marketing with authenticity.For anyone in a highly regulated or tradition-rich category, this episode is a valuable look into how collaboration and experimentation can unlock growth.Key TakeawaysCollaboration fuels innovation – Treasury Wine Estates leans on cross-functional teams to meet challenges in sustainability, regulation, and digital transformationLuxury is resilient – Wine brands like DAOU are thriving by connecting premium experiences with meaningful consumer occasionsRegulation demands creativity – Influencer partnerships, social experimentation, and retailer collaboration are critical to navigating advertising constraints

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Danielle Sporkin, SVP of Media & Marketing Services at Ferrero North America, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to reflect on her nonlinear career journey from agency leadership to the Ferrero boardroom.Danielle shares how Ferrero’s philosophy of “change by preserving” guides their approach to digital transformation, retail media, and brand building. Drawing from her deep agency experience, she discusses how to foster collaboration across internal teams and external partners, build adaptive marketing structures, and deliver growth for legacy brands while expanding into new categories.For marketers balancing tradition with innovation, this episode is filled with insight on staying relevant while staying true to your brand.Key TakeawaysPreserve Core Values While Adapting to Change - Ferrero’s “change by preserving” philosophy ensures innovation and agility without compromising its foundational identity.Retail Media Requires Cross-Functional Collaboration - As retail media spans brand, trade, eCommerce, and shopper marketing, success depends on internal alignment and clear agency partnerships.Nonlinear Career Paths Build Stronger Leaders - Danielle’s diverse agency background across media, planning, and innovation allows her to connect functions and lead integrated growth strategies.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Brad Feinberg, VP of Media, Digital, and eCommerce at Molson Coors Beverage Company, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to share how he is reshaping the role of marketing within a regulated industry by bringing together brand and performance, digital and traditional, creative and commerce.Brad explains how his team applies data, agility, and a consumer-first mindset across every touchpoint, including Super Bowl campaigns and Instacart product pages. With a unified structure and a focus on cross-functional skill building, Molson Coors is turning media investments into closed-loop growth opportunities and expanding into new categories like non-alcoholic beverages.For marketers looking to modernize their organizations, this episode offers a playbook for breaking down silos and building brands that drive results.Key TakeawaysBrand and Performance Are One - Treating brand-building and performance as two sides of the same coin leads to more impactful campaignsData Unlocks Influence - Leveraging real-time data earns a strategic seat at the table across marketing, sales, and retailStructure Drives Speed - Combining media, digital, and eCommerce enables faster execution and creates more career growth opportunities

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Josh Hackbarth, Chief Marketing Officer at MGA Entertainment, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss the evolution of the toy industry and how MGA is redefining how consumers engage with its brands.Josh explains why building emotional connections is now just as important as product innovation and how MGA is adapting to cultural trends, digital engagement, and retail media shifts. With iconic brands like Bratz, Little Tikes, LOL Surprise, and Miniverse, MGA is tapping into nostalgia, social media virality, and the rise of adult collectors to expand its audience beyond kids and parents. For marketers navigating rapidly changing consumer behaviors, this episode explores how to blend entertainment, retail, and social influence to drive brand longevity and sales.Key TakeawaysBrand Building is Bigger than Products – Emotional connections drive demand and long-term success.Retail and Social Must Work Together – Cultural moments and influencer engagement fuel conversion.Consumer Behavior is Changing Fast – Nostalgia, adult collectors, and digital communities are reshaping the toy industry.