In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Neil Shah, Chief Commercial Officer at SharkNinja, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss how SharkNinja has grown from a single category company into a $5.5 billion global brand spanning more than 36 categories. Neil shares how SharkNinja’s consumer first approach fuels rapid innovation, ensuring every product meets four key criteria: speed to market, superior performance, five star quality, and strong value. He explains how the brand’s relentless focus on consumer insights, viral marketing, and omnichannel execution creates category defining products, from robot vacuums to slushy machines.

For brands looking to drive innovation and win in retail, this episode provides insights into leveraging consumer feedback, optimizing go to market strategies, and integrating retail media with organic demand generation.

• Consumer First Innovation Wins – Every SharkNinja product must be faster, better, and higher quality than competitors.
• Five Star Ratings Drive Demand – Product excellence fuels organic reviews, search rankings, and omnichannel success.
• Virality is a Growth Engine – Social media insights shape product development and amplify consumer engagement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Steve Siegal, Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer at Curology, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss Curology’s journey from a DTC disruptor to an omnichannel skincare leader. Steve shares how launching in Target, Walmart, and CVS has reshaped Curology’s strategy, driving credibility, visibility, and a seamless consumer experience across channels.

With a background spanning legacy CPG and digitally native brands, Steve offers a unique perspective on full-funnel marketing, measurement, and retail partnerships. He explains how Curology is using retail as a brand awareness engine, connecting physical shelf presence with its DTC prescription model to maximize consumer engagement and lifetime value.

For brands navigating omnichannel expansion, this conversation offers actionable insights on balancing brand and performance marketing, integrating data for smarter decision-making, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. Tune in to learn how to future-proof your brand in the evolving retail landscape.

• Retail as a Brand Awareness Engine – Physical retail builds credibility and visibility while introducing consumers to a brand’s broader ecosystem.
• Full-Funnel Marketing is Critical – Success in omnichannel requires seamless integration between brand-building and performance-driven strategies.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making Powers Growth – Understanding how investments in DTC and retail interact is key to optimizing profitability and consumer engagement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Ben Galvin, Sr. Director of Omnichannel Retail Sales & eCommerce at Monster Energy, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss the critical role of category management in today’s omnichannel landscape. From the physical shelf to the digital shelf, Ben explains how the fundamentals of CPG have transformed, why search rankings now rival prime in-store placements, and how brands must adapt to shifting consumer behaviors.

With a decade of experience in category leadership, Ben shares how data-driven decision-making, cross-channel coordination, and agile responsiveness are essential for modern brand success. He discusses the changing role of syndicated data providers, the growing influence of retail media, and how companies like Coca-Cola, Keurig Dr Pepper, and Monster Energy are setting the standard for omnichannel excellence.

Throughout the conversation, Ben offers valuable insights on bridging internal silos, empowering sales teams to think digitally, and reshaping organizational structures to meet the demands of today’s marketplace. If you’re a brand leader looking to win across in-store and online, this episode is packed with strategic takeaways you won’t want to miss.

• The Digital Shelf is the New Battleground – Just as eye-level placement dominates in-store, top search rankings are critical for online sales success.
• Cross-Channel Coordination is Essential – Winning in today’s market requires seamless alignment across in-store sales, digital commerce, retail media, and category management.
• Curiosity and Agility Drive Success – Leaders who embrace data-driven decisions, organizational collaboration, and evolving shopper behaviors will outperform competitors in an ever-changing landscape.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At BRAVE COMMERCE Live in 2024, leading experts in media investment, Farrah Linden, Media Director at Wella Company, and Josh Cierski, Associate Director of Media at Reckitt, engaged in a candid debate on the evolving dynamics of brand media and retail media. Moderated by BRAVE COMMERCE hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter, this insightful discussion unpacks how brands navigate budget allocation, performance measurement, and strategic alignment in a rapidly changing retail landscape.

Farrah and Josh share how their organizations structure media investments, the challenges of defining retail media within broader marketing strategies, and the increasing role of first-party data, closed-loop attribution, and creative excellence in optimizing retail media spend. They also debate whether retail media should be held to the same standards as traditional brand media and how organizations can best structure teams to ensure cohesion, measurement rigor, and budget fluidity.

From the latest trends in eCommerce, omnichannel marketing, and consumer data strategies to the future of media investment, this conversation offers invaluable insights for brands looking to maximize ROI in an era where digital and retail media are increasingly intertwined.

Key Takeaways:

• Retail Media vs. Brand Media: How brands define and allocate budgets across national, retail, and digital channels to drive performance
• Rethinking Measurement: Why ROAS isn’t enough and how incrementality, CLV, and brand lift are shaping modern media strategies
• Creative & Media Maturity: The role of video, platform differentiation, and retailer partnerships in maximizing retail media effectiveness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BRAVE COMMERCE Live, held in May 2024, brought together leading voices in commerce to explore the rapidly changing landscape of consumer behavior, technology, and retail strategies. Rachel Tipograph, Founder & CEO of MikMak hosted a dynamic panel discussion with Kate Hamill, Director, Head of Industry, Retail & eCommerce at Meta, Veeral Shah, President & Chief Customer Officer of Nestlé Health Science at Nestlé, and Sam Gagliardi, EVP - eCommerce, Global Solutions at Circana.

This engaging conversation delves into how demographic shifts, such as Gen Z's fluidity and Gen Alpha's diversity, are redefining commerce. The panelists explore the role of AI in personalizing consumer experiences, optimizing creative production, and driving innovation in supply chains. From the rising importance of real-time data to evolving retail media strategies, the discussion highlights actionable ways brands can adapt to these changes while focusing on ROI and market share.

Discover how leaders across the ecosystem are preparing for the next five years of commerce by integrating cutting-edge AI, breaking down silos for better collaboration, and embracing omnichannel approaches to meet consumers where they are.

Key Takeaways:

• Generational Shifts in Consumer Behavior: Learn how changes in demographics and culture influence consumer expectations and brand loyalty
• AI as a Driver of Innovation: Explore how companies like Nestlé and Meta are using generative AI for creative personalization, R&D efficiency, and media optimization
• Omnichannel Collaboration: Understand the importance of integrating real-time data, retail media, and personalized strategies to create seamless consumer experiences

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph, Founder & CEO of MikMak, and Sarah Hofstetter, President of Profitero, dive into the untapped potential of Medicare Advantage dollars with Julie Fleischer, GM, and Chief Experience Officer, and Jared Childs,  VP of Business Development at Soda Health. Together, they unpack how the $30 billion pool of "use-it-or-lose-it" benefits available to 35 million Americans over 65 is reshaping the commerce landscape for brands, retailers, and health plans alike.

Discover how Soda Health leverages innovative fintech solutions to connect health benefits to retail and CPG opportunities, enabling seniors to make preventative purchases ranging from OTC medications to healthy food options. Julie and Jared discuss how retailers are stepping up to engage this high-value demographic, and why brands need to act now to capture their share of this burgeoning market.

With real-world insights into evolving consumer health trends, actionable advice for brands, and a vision for the future of personalized health benefits, this episode is a must-listen for those ready to innovate at the intersection of health, commerce, and consumer behavior.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the Opportunity: Discover how $30 billion in Medicare Advantage dollars can fuel incremental sales for brands and retailers
• Engage the 65+ Consumer: Learn how to connect with this growing, health-focused demographic in meaningful and compliant ways
• Actionable Steps for Brands: Gain insights on how to unlock this market with targeted outreach, data-driven campaigns, and measurable ROI

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Rachel Tipograph, Founder and CEO of MikMak, and Sarah Hofstetter, President of Profitero, tackle breaking news reshaping the media and advertising landscape. From TikTok's potential ban in the U.S. to Meta’s controversial decision to deprecate fact-checking, they explore how these seismic shifts impact both large and small brands' strategies. The duo offers unparalleled insights into the traffic decline across TikTok and Meta, the rise of Alphabet and Pinterest, and the moral dilemmas facing brand advertisers today.

Rachel shares exclusive data from MikMak, revealing a 97 percent drop in TikTok traffic and highlighting how SMBs and challenger brands are adapting faster than their larger counterparts. Together, they dissect the risks and rewards of balancing short-term ROAS with long-term brand equity in an era of heightened scrutiny on platform ethics and safety.

As they dive deeper, Rachel and Sarah discuss retail media's growing role as a brand-safe alternative and how advertisers can leverage diverse media investments to align with their values while driving conversions. Whether you're a CMO, brand strategist, or curious listener, this episode provides actionable takeaways for navigating today’s volatile media ecosystem.

• TikTok and Meta's Decline: Understand the repercussions of TikTok's temporary ban and Meta's fact-checking changes on brand traffic and advertising strategies.
• Data-Driven Shifts: Learn why brands are pivoting ad spend toward Alphabet, Pinterest, and retail media for safer and more efficient audience engagement.
• Balancing Values with KPIs: Discover how brands can align media investments with ethical standards and long-term shareholder value without compromising short-term goals.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Sarah Hofstetter and Rachel Tipograph sit down with Jean-Paul Jansen, CMO of Mars Pet Nutrition North America, to discuss the evolving Pet Care market. Jean-Paul shares how Mars adapts to trends like premiumization and shifting consumer expectations, from innovative product launches to strategic use of retail media networks and eCommerce.

Jean-Paul reveals Mars’ research-driven approach to understanding pet parents’ needs and delivering value through targeted solutions. He also highlights the company’s efforts to balance affordability with premium offerings and how retail data drives personalization and growth.

The conversation dives into Jean-Paul’s bold career pivot to eCommerce, his leadership philosophy, and how Mars stays ahead in a competitive market by focusing on innovation, collaboration, and pet parent obsession.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative Strategies: How Mars uses research and insights to create pet-focused products and solutions
• Retail Media ROI: Harnessing data to deliver effective, targeted campaigns
• Leadership Insights: JP’s approach to building teams and driving change in a fast-evolving industry

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, Kris Malkoski, CEO of Learning and Development at Newell Brands, joins Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to share her approach to driving transformation and growth. Drawing from her extensive experience as a business leader, Kris explains her four key operating principles for building successful brands.

Kris highlights how Newell Brands is tackling industry challenges by staying consumer-focused and embracing innovation. From launching standout products like the Sharpie Creative Marker to leveraging insights to meet unmet needs, she details how her team is setting new standards for growth and differentiation.

Whether you're navigating brand strategy or looking for fresh approaches to innovation, Kris’s insights offer actionable inspiration for excelling in today’s dynamic marketplace.

Key Takeaways:

• Four Key Operating Principles: How knowing users, trends, and product differentiation drives growth
• Turning Challenges into Opportunities: How data and innovation can help navigate and capitalize on headwinds
• Consumer-Centric Innovation: How understanding unmet needs and leveraging consumer insights can drive breakthrough product launches

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter chat with Michelle Crossan-Matos, Chief Marketing Officer at Ulta Beauty. Michelle shares how her career journey from Procter & Gamble to Samsung and now Ulta has shaped her innovative approach to retail marketing. With insights on blending agility, customer-centricity, and brand-building expertise, she reveals how Ulta stays ahead in the ever-evolving beauty landscape.Michelle discusses Ulta’s loyalty program, Creator Ecosystem, and the integration of social and retail media networks to empower associates and drive relevance. She also highlights the process of identifying trends and operationalizing them into impactful marketing strategies. From lessons on leadership and collaboration to balancing a global career and motherhood, Michelle offers inspiration and actionable takeaways for marketers navigating today’s fast-paced world. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of retail’s most forward-thinking leaders.

Key Takeaways:

● Bridging Brand and Retail: How Michelle applies her unique background to transform Ulta’s marketing strategies

● Social at the Center: The role of real-time insights and micro-trends in shaping Ulta’s customer experiences

● Building Loyalty and Monetizing Media: Insights into leveraging loyalty programs and

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.