BRAVE COMMERCE

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, co-hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter welcome Victoria Lozano, EVP of Brand Marketing at Crayola, to discuss how this iconic brand continues to innovate and make an outsized impact with a lean team of fewer than 2,000 employees.Victoria shares Crayola's enduring purpose rooted in fostering creativity for over 120 years and how this mission influences everything from the company's nimble operations to its strategic diversification into entertainment and location-based experiences. Learn how Crayola remains a household staple while expanding its role in children’s development and education.The conversation also explores how Crayola balances its global brand presence with challenges in international markets, its decision to move away from DTC (direct-to-consumer) fulfillment, and the bold leadership moves that keep the brand thriving. Victoria reflects on the bravery of personal milestones and the ongoing journey of maintaining a brand cherished across generations.Key Takeaways:Purpose-Driven Innovation: How Crayola's mission to nurture creativity shapes its operations and business strategies.Adapting to Market Dynamics: Insights into Crayola’s global brand strategies and why they pivoted away from DTC commerce.Enduring Legacy: The evolving role Crayola plays in shaping children’s lives through education, entertainment, and creative tools.

In this insightful episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester, returns for an unprecedented third appearance to dissect the current state of consumer commerce. Joining hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter, Sucharita delves into the phenomenon of the "vibecession," where consumer spending remains resilient despite a lingering sense of economic unease. She provides data-backed analysis on how inflation, shifting consumer preferences, and economic headwinds are shaping the retail landscape heading into 2024 and beyond.Sucharita discusses the challenges facing major consumer product brands as private labels and niche competitors continue to disrupt the market. From grocery aisles to luxury goods, she explains how consumers are increasingly trading down to value brands or splurging on high-end offerings, leaving middle-tier players scrambling to remain relevant. Her insights offer critical strategies for brands to adapt, including leveraging innovation, rethinking pricing strategies, and embracing diverse supply chains to mitigate potential tariff impacts under the new administration.Looking ahead, Sucharita provides a cautiously optimistic outlook, highlighting opportunities for brands that prioritize agility and customer engagement. She also shares bold predictions about the future of marketing investments, the role of distribution in a digital-first world, and how brands can stay competitive in the face of evolving consumer expectations. Whether you're a brand leader, marketer, or eCommerce specialist, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help navigate the complexities of today’s commerce environment.Key Takeaways:Resilient Spending Amidst Economic Uncertainty: Consumers continue to shop at high rates despite economic unease, focusing on value and premium goods while avoiding middle-tier options.Private Labels & Disruption: The rise of private labels and niche competitors poses a major threat to established brands, requiring innovative strategies to reclaim market share.Preparing for Tariffs and Future Shocks: Diversified supply chains and strategic foresight are crucial for navigating potential policy changes and maintaining brand resilience.

In this compelling episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, co-hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter sit down with Katie Williams, Chief Marketing Officer of Haleon. As a seasoned leader in consumer packaged goods (CPG), Katie shares her unique journey, navigating two major corporate spin-offs—Kraft-Mondelez and GSK-Haleon. She delves into the critical lessons learned about purpose-driven business strategies, brand identity, and leading through transformation in highly dynamic industries.Katie discusses Haleon's bold mission to redefine consumer health through trusted science and meaningful consumer connections. From developing a clear North Star to ensuring seamless brand transitions, she reveals how purpose anchors Haleon's decisions and fosters resilience amid change. Katie also highlights the growing importance of addressing consumer health holistically, blending physical and mental well-being, and adapting to the influence of digital platforms and creators in shaping health narratives.The conversation culminates with insights into Katie's leadership philosophy, emphasizing inclusivity and courage in decision-making. Whether addressing the power of brands or collaborating with retail partners on integrated media strategies, Katie's approach underscores the value of agility, authenticity, and innovation in today's fast-evolving commerce landscape.Key Takeaways:Purpose as a Compass: Establishing a clear mission helps organizations make cohesive decisions and maintain focus during transformative periods.Adapting to Evolving Consumer Needs: Integrating holistic health solutions and leveraging digital and social platforms are crucial for connecting with modern consumers.Unified Teams for Agility: Bringing together media, shopper marketing, and consumer experience teams fosters quick, aligned responses to retail and market shifts.

BRAVE COMMERCE Live which took place in NYC in May 2024 brought together hundreds of brand leaders to discuss the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the commerce industry and how they could work together to drive growth.This episode features a live recording from that event and features Marcia Resnick, Head of eCommerce at Pernod Ricard, Kevin Shapiro, SVP, US Consumer Beauty Brands at COTY, and Jessica Goon, CMO at Tate’s Bake Shop in conversation with MikMak’s Kayla Darcey.In some ways, it has never been easier to connect with consumers, but it has also never been more complicated. Whether via traditional advertising, retail media, influencers, CTV, or the myriad other channels brands need to develop authentic relationships with consumers that fuel commerce. This episode explores how three very different brands approach digital consumer engagement and leave you with new ideas for your own media strategy.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Matthew Graham, Chief Marketing Officer at MARS Global Food & Nutrition, delves into the delicate balance between honoring a brand’s rich heritage and driving innovation in a fast-changing industry. Drawing from Mars’ century-long legacy, he shares how the company evolves its marketing strategies to remain relevant to modern consumers while staying true to its core values.Matthew also explores the pivotal role data plays in shaping consumer understanding. By leveraging advanced analytics, Mars identifies emerging trends, tailors campaigns to meet diverse consumer needs, and ensures its messaging resonates across global markets. His insights illuminate how brands can create deeper connections with their audiences in an increasingly digital landscape.Finally, the conversation highlights the importance of innovation in fueling growth. From developing new products that cater to shifting preferences to embracing cutting-edge technologies, Matthew reveals how Mars stays ahead of the curve. This episode offers invaluable lessons for marketers and business leaders striving to thrive in a competitive and dynamic marketplace.Key Takeaways:Balancing Tradition with Modernity: Learn how Mars integrates its iconic legacy with forward-thinking strategies to stay relevant.Data-Driven Consumer Insights: Discover how Mars utilizes data to uncover trends and shape consumer-centric marketing campaigns.Driving Growth Through Innovation: Understand the role of innovation in developing products and campaigns that meet evolving consumer expectations.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter sit down with Mesh Gelman, the visionary founder and CEO of Cumulus Coffee Company. Mesh shares his fascinating journey from textiles to the world of coffee, revealing how a chance encounter with Starbucks icon Howard Schultz inspired his shift from “putting people to sleep” in the home fashions industry to “waking them up” with coffee. Through riveting stories, Mesh reflects on his time at Starbucks, where he saw firsthand the power of innovation at scale and the coffee culture that drives it.Mesh goes on to introduce Cumulus Coffee Company, his latest venture. Built on the observation that consumers increasingly crave iced coffee yet struggle to create a premium experience at home, Cumulus aims to make café-quality cold brews and nitro-infused coffee accessible on demand. He highlights the science behind cold brew's smoother taste and discusses the challenges and breakthroughs involved in making a nitrogen-infused beverage without specialized equipment.To wrap up, Mesh shares insights into his DTC and B2B growth strategies for Cumulus, highlighting opportunities in office spaces, bars, and luxury hotels where customers seek elevated coffee experiences. Reflecting on his career, Mesh reveals the brave step that changed his life: taking Howard Schultz’s invitation to “stay in touch” seriously. His decision to follow up led to a career-defining relationship, reinforcing the importance of courage and follow-through in the world of commerce.Key TakeawaysSeizing Opportunities: Gelman’s career pivot highlights the importance of embracing new opportunities and not shying away from bold introductions that could change one’s trajectory.Cold Coffee Revolution: Cumulus Coffee aims to fill the gap in the cold coffee market, bringing café-level quality into consumers’ homes through innovation.Power of Follow-Through: Mesh’s decision to follow up with Howard Schultz exemplifies how brave, consistent actions can lead to profound professional and personal growth.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Sarah Hofstetter, President of Profitero, and Rachel Tipograph, Founder & CEO of MikMak, sit down with Linda Bethea, the Chief Marketing Officer of Danone North America. Linda shares her insights into how Danone’s mission of delivering health through food to as many people as possible aligns with its business growth strategy and certified B Corp status. Drawing from her experience at PepsiCo and Danone, she discusses the importance of leadership development, culture, and her focus on blending performance with purpose.Linda also reveals how Danone stays ahead in a dynamic and competitive CPG landscape by constantly evolving its portfolio to meet consumer demands. From reducing sugar to expanding plant-based offerings, Danone remains committed to sustainability and health-conscious choices. Additionally, Linda touches on exciting brand initiatives like Oikos’ partnership with HBCUs to improve student nutrition and support athletes.As a marketing leader and professor, Linda reflects on how she stays relevant in a rapidly changing industry, engaging with younger generations and embracing digital commerce. She also shares her approach to career bravery, encouraging women to be direct and ask for what they want—whether in the boardroom or beyond.Key Takeaways:Danone's commitment to balancing performance with purpose through its B Corp certification and mission-driven leadership.How Linda’s leadership journey at PepsiCo shaped her holistic understanding of business, from sales to marketing and finance.The impact of Danone’s innovations and partnerships, like the Oikos nutrition program, on community health and brand growth.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter sit down with Michael Kassan, founder and CEO of 3C Ventures, to discuss his dynamic career in the commerce industry. Michael reveals the thought process behind launching 3C Ventures, a company focused on Consulting, Convening, and Co-investing. He explains how these three pillars serve as the foundation of his business, offering insights into where he sees the industry headed and how 3C Ventures will continue to be a driving force at the intersection of marketing, media, and technology.Michael also delves into the importance of human connections and making strategic bets on people. Sharing anecdotes from his career, he emphasizes the value of trusting instinct when identifying talent and why relationships built on trust and transparency are essential for long-term success. Whether it’s finding that "lightning in a jar" in potential hires or maintaining a network of trusted industry leaders, Kassan explains how people remain the core of his business philosophy.Finally, the conversation turns introspective as Michael reflects on his legacy and lessons learned from past leadership decisions. He openly discusses one of his greatest business regrets and how it has shaped his perspective moving forward. With a mix of wisdom and humility, Michael shares what he hopes the industry will say about him in the future and offers advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs navigating the ever-evolving world of commerce.Key Takeaways:The Power of the 3 C's: Michael discusses the creation of 3C Ventures, grounded in the pillars of Consulting, Convening, and Co-investing, and how these principles are shaping his new business ventures.Betting on People: Michael emphasizes the importance of spotting potential in people—what he calls "lightning in a jar"—and how trust, transparency, and talent fuel success.Legacy and Leadership: Reflecting on his career, Michael shares his thoughts on leaving a lasting impact, the lessons learned from past regrets, and how he's guiding the next generation of industry leaders.