In this episode, Cole sits down with Chris Pew, the CEO and co-founder of TREW, to explore the pressing challenges brands face in standing out in 2024. They dive into the creative heartbeat of the outdoor industry, discussing TREW’s “TREW To You Film” contest—a celebration of community-driven storytelling, self-expression, and creativity.

Chris shares how TREW is fostering deeper connections with its core audience through storytelling and innovative community engagement strategies. The conversation spans the evolution of ski film culture, the role of social media in building authentic communities, and how small brands can leverage creativity to make a big impact.

They also unpack the importance of measuring ROI in creative projects while maintaining the balance between marketing goals and authentic storytelling. With a sneak peek at what’s ahead for the TREW To You, Chris reveals how TREW continues to push boundaries with fresh innovations and a renewed focus on community connection.

Key Takeaways

• Standing out as a brand in 2025 is increasingly challenging.

• Brand storytelling should reflect the values and experiences of the community.

• Community engagement is key to building brand awareness.

• TREW’s approach contrasts with traditional brand films that often promote self-interest.

• With a little creativity, there are ways to carve out a niche in your market

About the Backcountry Marketing Podcast

This podcast is produced by Port Side Productions. We are a production company that works with outdoor brands to create effective and emotional videos. To date, we’ve made feature documentaries, video podcasts, product videos, and commercials. The thing that unifies us is our unwavering goal to help brands make effective videos driven by emotion backed by strategy.

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