Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Stacy Doren, CMO of Journeys. They discuss Stacy's transition from 24 years at Levi's to her first CMO role, Journeys' evolution as a mall-based footwear retailer, and how Gen Z is bringing malls back into cultural relevance. Stacy shares insights on differentiating in a competitive landscape, expanding consumer segmentation beyond their traditional alternative/skate audience, and prioritizing brand building after years of performance-focused marketing.

Here are the key talking points from the episode:

• The Evolution of Journeys from Alternative/Skate Focus to Broader Teen Appeal
• How Gen Z is Making Malls Relevant Again
• Journeys' Competitive Differentiation in Footwear Retail
• Transitioning from Levi's to a First-Time CMO Role
• Building a Foundation for Brand Growth After Years of Performance Marketing
• Store Refresh and New Merchandising Approach
• Innovative TikTok and Content Strategies
• Making Tough Decisions Like Eliminating the Catalog
• Early Business Results from New Strategic Direction
• Leadership Adaptation During Business Transformation

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