Women in Brand

Girlhood is thriving, and Rachel Lowenstein is at the centre of it. But what is girl culture, and why should brands take it more seriously?

Rachel is a leading independent cultural strategist, speaker, and content creator. She helps people and brands understand girls - educating hundreds of thousands of online followers, and advising leading brands like Dove, Nike, Google, Meta, and UN Women.

She joins Tami and Victoria to share a branding 101 on girl culture. Rachel reflects on her personal journey in brand, building an agency career at WPP then going independent as a strategist, shares her advice for women in brand, and eloquently unpacks what brands need to be paying attention to.

Follow Rachel for the latest on girl studies:

• Substack - https://substack.com/@girlstudies
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rachelissan/
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelissan

Thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode possible. They're the always-on brand tracking platform - find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

Find out more about the Women in Brand community and how to become a member: https://www.womeninbrand.online/

What if the secret to successful entrepreneurship is more than just who you know... but who you could be?

In this episode of Women in Brand, founder, technologist, entrepreneur, and cultural thinker Ngozi Elobuike joins Tami and Victoria to explore how she's built an award-winning career that spans continents, cultures, and disciplines.

From aspiring doctor to launching sold-out wine brands, founding Dublin's premier Black-led wine club, and advising some of the world's biggest businesses through her work at Google, Ngozi gives a masterclass on curiosity, courage, and intersectionality.

They deep dive how female entrepreneurs can take a scientific approach to building, the potential of African luxury branding, and how cultural thinking gives you a competitive advantage.

Thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode possible. They're the always-on brand tracking platform - find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

Find out more about the Women in Brand community and how to become a member: https://www.womeninbrand.online/

WIB founders Tami and Victoria are joined by cultural strategist, trend forecaster, and writer Anna Pompilio for a conversation about internet culture, algorithmic identity, trend cycles and what it means to build brands in an era of constant perception.

Together, they unpack the tension between authenticity and performance, why the internet suddenly feels “boring”, and the growing cultural exhaustion around being visible all the time.

Anna also shares her journey from fashion design to brand strategy, the mentors who shaped her career, and why the future of brand building depends on curiosity, taste and real-world cultural inputs — not just AI-generated thinking.

Subscribe to Anna's brilliant weekly culture digest, Midwesthetic: https://midwesthetic.substack.com/

Thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode possible. They're the always-on brand tracking platform - find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

And join us at the Women in Brand Summit! Happening May 27 in Birmingham, UK - final tickets remaining: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/womeninbrand/2061724

Based in New Zealand, Grace was the second ever Marketing hire at Tracksuit - and proves why your early hires are the most intrinsic to scaling up effectively.

Grace joins Victoria and Tami on the podcast to talk about her career journey in brand marketing, and how a mix of entrepreneurialism and analytical thinking enables her to understand consumer behaviour and drive impactful partnership strategies at Tracksuit.

One of those is Women in Brand, and Grace, Tami, and Victoria reflect on the synergy between WIB's mission and Tracksuit's commitment to equipping brand marketers with the data they need to secure investment and be taken seriously.

A huge thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode, and so much of our community activity, possible. Find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

And finally, join us at the Women in Brand Summit - a full day of learning and networking hosted in partnership with Tracksuit! It's happening May 27 in Birmingham, UK - and as a special thank you for tuning in, use WIBPODCAST30 for a huge 30% off your ticket price: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/womeninbrand/2061724

Chris Danton, Co-Founder of IN GOOD CO and author of GOOD THINKING, joins co-hosts Victoria and Tami to explore a shift that’s underway for strategists and brand builders: a world where anyone can create - from products and content to entire brand worlds - powered by AI.

Chris speaks about the move from control to collaboration, and why brands can't work in siloes if they want to survive. She reflects on her journey from architecture to growing a strategic agency for challenger brands, and shares what she's learnt from her career so far.

Follow Chris on Substack: https://ingoodco.substack.com/

Thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode possible. They're the always-on brand tracking platform - find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

And finally, join us at the Women in Brand Summit! Happening May 27 in Birmingham, UK - save your seat: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/womeninbrand/2061724

How do you build the brand blueprint for a global entertainment giant like Love Island?

Lauren Watson, the Vice President of Brand and Marketing at ITV Studios, joins our hosts Tami and Victoria to share how she's grown some of the UK's best-loved shows into culturally relevant, global brand successes.

Lauren looks back on her hands-on experience merging T-Mobile and Orange into EE, working on collabs like Katy Perry x Coca-Cola at Universal Music Group & Brands, and directing brand building at ITV Studios for 65 labels across 13 countries.

Learn how to:

• Determine a brand's point of difference
• Understand your audience and leverage channels to create that 'water cooler' moment
• Foster creativity and look beyond your category in your brand team

Thanks to Tracksuit for making this episode possible. They're the always-on brand tracking platform - find out more at https://www.gotracksuit.com/ and mention 'Women in Brand' when you get in touch.

Get your ticket to join our community at the in-person Women in Brand Summit happening May 27 in Birmingham, UK: https://buytickets.at/womeninbrand/2061724

What's the fundamental difference between brand and branding? How do you grow a direct-to-consumer brand? And what can business leaders do to always stay close to their customer?

Suze Dowling is a seasoned brand builder, investor, founder, and DTC operator, with over a decade of experience in creating, growing, investing in, and acquiring brands.

Moving across the world to New York via Sydney, Suze's brand career has been characterised by intentional risk-taking and bringing authenticity to her work. Now as Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Pattern Brands, a modern award-winning consumer goods portfolio that's raised over $50 million, she's focused on prioritising her customer and supporting other entrepreneurs and brand professionals to flourish.

In this conversation, Suze mentions Gin Lane creative agency, Flamingo Estate, and Ana Gonzalez Herrera - Founder of Glow by Hormone University.

You can follow Suze on Substack and Instagram as @thedtcoperator.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Robert Half - and if you're looking for your next opportunity, or building a team and want to find out more after hearing about their brilliant work here, you can visit their website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en\⁠⁠⁠

Or, contact Madeleine Barnes directly:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinebarnesmarketingrecruitment/⁠⁠

You can be part of the global Women in Brand community - follow us to get involved:

• Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/womeninbrand/⁠⁠

• LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-brand/⁠⁠⁠

• Substack - ⁠⁠

https://womeninbrand.substack.com⁠⁠/

How do you build authentic worlds for brands using design? What does it take to lead your own studio? And why are cross-cultural influences so important in brand design?

In this enlightening conversation, Asmah Mansur-Williams shares her inspirational story into brand design - from following her personal creative passions at a young age to co-founding her own international design practice, The Black Pepper Studio. She reflects on her journey into the world of brand, and is generous with her advice for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs.

From Lagos to London to Toronto, Asmah shares the multitude of influences that continue to shape her design philosophy and values, helping to build beautiful worlds for lifestyle brands by drawing on cross-cultural references. She highlights Shini Park, Lotta Nieminen, and her studio Co-Founder Nkenna Amadi as personal influences. The brands Asmah spotlights are Clue Perfumery, Merrachi, 39BC, and the magazines Kinfolk and Serial.

You can explore Asmah's incredible work at https://www.theblackpepperstudio.com/, and find her on LinkedIn and Instagram as @asmahmwilliams.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Robert Half - and if you're looking for your next opportunity, or building a team and want to find out more after hearing about their brilliant work here, you can visit their website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en\⁠⁠⁠.

Or, contact Madeleine Barnes directly:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinebarnesmarketingrecruitment/⁠⁠

You can be part of the global Women in Brand community - follow us to get involved:

• Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/womeninbrand/⁠⁠

• LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-brand/⁠⁠⁠

• Substack - ⁠⁠

https://womeninbrand.substack.com⁠⁠/

How do you shape a career in beauty and fragrance branding? What skills does it take to be a successful leader? And just how much has the beauty industry changed over the past two decades?

Hania Flannery joins us in this conversation to answer all things beauty branding. Hania has forged an A-list career in beauty, fragrance, and cosmetics, working for the likes of Sephora, Coty Prestige, and GHD.

She now leads brand campaigns at Medik8 and independently consults as a fractional CMO, and in this episode she shares a wealth of advice with Tami and Victoria on how she's worked up to where she is - with celebrity encounters and valuable life lessons along the way.

In this conversation, Hania mentions Coty Inc. colleague Liz Garrett, and GHD colleague Sebastian Lazell - and not forgetting her sister, Nadine! She also shouts out Elizabeth Day - How to Fail, and Georgie Coleridge Cole - Sheer Luxe.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Robert Half - and if you're looking for your next opportunity, or building a team and want to find out more after hearing about their brilliant work here, you can visit their website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en\⁠⁠⁠.

Or, contact Madeleine Barnes directly:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinebarnesmarketingrecruitment/⁠⁠

You can be part of the global Women in Brand community - follow us to get involved:

• Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/womeninbrand/⁠⁠⁠
• LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-brand/⁠⁠⁠
• Substack - ⁠⁠⁠https://womeninbrand.substack.com⁠⁠

What does brand culture look like on either side of the Atlantic? Why can squiggly brand careers help you to be a better strategist? And how do you navigate ethical dilemmas in branding?

After entering brand from corporate America, journalism, and even a British rock band, Ellen Kellogg and Mia Clarke first met at agency Blue Dog, and have grown brands together ever since. From Founding maternal wear brand Nyssa to co-consulting on brand strategy, and running their cutting-edge Substack commentary On Brand, Ellen & Mia have collaborated on both sides of the Atlantic to build a unique brand portfolio.

As the experts in looking laterally and spotting brand trends before they hit the mainstream, they share which brands are killing it, and give their advice on balancing your personal values with a brand's ones.

Dive in to Ellen and Mia's brilliant Substack publication On Brand: https://weareonbrand.substack.com/

They also shout out adaptive fashion brand Unhidden https://unhiddenclothing.com/; Malbon Golf https://malbon.com/; and After School by Casey Lewis https://afterschool.substack.com/, as well as co-founders Claire Mazur and Erica Cerulo.

This episode is brought to you in partnership with Robert Half - and if you're looking for your next opportunity, or building a team and want to find out more after hearing about their brilliant work here, you can visit their website: ⁠⁠https://www.roberthalf.com/gb/en\⁠⁠.

Or, contact Madeleine Barnes directly on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinebarnesmarketingrecruitment/⁠

If you're not already, you can be part of the global Women in Brand community - follow us to get involved:

• Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/womeninbrand/⁠⁠
• LinkedIn - ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-brand/⁠⁠
• Substack - ⁠⁠https://womeninbrand.substack.com⁠⁠