Retail Remix

More than 50% of brands plan to increase budget spend on creators in 2025. While brand execs across categories agree that creators help boost awareness and product consideration, their tactical goals and priorities vary.  During this episode of Retail Remix, Rodney Mason of LTK and Frank Dudley of Northwestern University dig into their latest research report focused on how brands are tapping creators to: * Develop long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that meet specific goals and objectives; * Build their content arsenals for omnichannel engagement; * Level up their retail media strategies; and * Experimenting with new and emerging channels like Connected TV (CTV) advertising.  RELATED LINKS * Learn more [https://www.shopltk.com/] about LTK * Download a copy [https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/3j_nCAD2GAcGNKzOcGf8IGeZS9?domain=onbrand.shopltk.com] of the Annual Creator Marketing Study * Watch [https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/z6p5CBB2JQTz7XOKT6hDI2JPUj?domain=company.shopltk.com] the CMO’s Creator Guide webinar on-demand * Sign up [https://strategicmarketinginstitute.com/certification-in-influencer-marketing/] for the Influencer Marketing Strategy Course.

Amina Pasha has been in the CPG space for more than 20 years. While a good portion of that time was with P&G, her career went into new, exciting territory when she joined The Honest Company, a challenger brand that, from the beginning, doubled down on its mission and values.  She has spent the last five years applying her learnings with the brand at Thrive Market, which is a values-based, challenger brand in its own right. Now, with the brand reaching its 10th birthday, Amina has some lessons to share. Listen to this episode of Retail Remix to get her thoughts on:  * The evolution of values-based brands and the influence marketing has on driving brand differentiation;  * How she balances brand and performance marketing to accomplish organizational goals;  * Ways to adapt and tailor marketing focal points based on persona behaviors and lifestyles; and  * What’s top-of-mind for Thrive Market for the next five years.  RELATED LINKS * Learn more [https://www.thrivemarket.com/] about Thrive Market * Connect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-pasha-41689214/] with Amina on LinkedIn

Mars, Inc. has embarked on a digital transformation that encompasses ecommerce experience and in-store activation. Throughout this journey, which began with the M&M’S brand, the company has successfully embraced experience innovation that has composable technology and agile processes at the center of it all.  During this episode of Retail Remix, Kyle Barz of Mars, Inc., shares how he helped drive this new era for the business alongside Casper Rasmussen and the Valtech team. Together they break down: * What inspired Mars to begin its transformation journey, and the challenges that Kyle and his team had to tackle early on to ensure success;  * How composable technology accelerates innovation and empowers teams to better spot and respond to new business opportunities; and  * The end-to-end transformation process for M&M’S, including the lessons that will be applied for other brands.  RELATED LINKS * See [https://www.valtech.com/nl-nl/cases/mars/] the original case study * Learn more [https://www.linkedin.com/company/valtech/posts/?feedView=all] about Valtech * Learn more [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mars/] about Mars * Connect with Casper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/casper-aagaard-rasmussen/] and Kyle [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebarz/] on LinkedIn

You may think shopping online for a car (especially a used car) is overwhelming, even frustrating. But Jim Lyski is trying to change that.  As EVP and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer for CarMax, Jim has helped drive the company’s AI efforts, which span various touch points and all stages of the buying journey. Listen to get details into how CarMax is:  * Evolving its value proposition to align with the new needs and expectations of consumers;  * Investing in chat agents that provide proactive and reactive support to shoppers; * Creating opportunities for virtual, high-touch discovery and customization; and  * Embedding personalization into the entire journey. RELATED LINKS * Learn more [https://www.carmax.com/] about CarMax * See [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/?s=carmax] CarMax coverage on Retail TouchPoints * Download [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/resources/3-ways-generative-ai-is-transforming-brand-experiences] the ultimate guide to Gen AI

Livestreaming was said to completely transform retail as we knew it. A commerce staple in Asia, experts claimed it was only a matter of time before it took the west by storm.  Although the hype cycle has slowed, companies like Orca are working to turn livestreaming and social commerce into highly effective and scalable sales channels. During this week’s Retail Remix, Orca co-founders Max Benator and Lauren Stevens share:  * How their TV roots inspired the mission and vision for Orca; * Details on the Orca business model and how the company supports both brands and creators;    * Why brands like e.l.f. Beauty, Samsung and Zappos are working with Orca to level up their social commerce strategies; and * How they are thinking about the evolution of AI and its role in content creation.  RELATED LINKS * Learn more [https://www.orcashop.co/] about Orca * Get the scoop [https://www.socom.live/] on Orca’s SoCom event * Read [https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/?s=social+commerce] the latest content on all things social commerce