What Just Happened Christine Russo

In a lively exchange, Christine Russo, host of What Just Happened, Kristi Argyilan SVP Retail Media Albertsons, and Brian Gleason CRO Criteo discuss the evolution and potential of retail media networks. Kristi, with a background in media strategy and experience at Target and Albertsons, highlights the transformative impact of recognizing the value of retailer-owned assets, particularly first-party data. She emphasizes the shift towards proving outcomes rather than just impressions. Brian, drawing from his diverse career spanning publishing, technology, and agencies, underscores key moments that illuminated the growing significance of retail media, such as the revelation of Amazon's ad revenue and Walmart's projected profits from retail media surpassing those from physical goods.The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating digital experiences seamlessly into physical stores, emphasizing the importance of enhancing customer experience while balancing monetization efforts. Both Kristi and Brian stress the necessity of maintaining trust and alignment with customer expectations in navigating the expansion of retail media networks. They also touch upon the role of platforms like Criteo in facilitating this evolution, offering scalable solutions for both established retailers and emerging networks, thus contributing to the ongoing rise of retail media.

In a dynamic discussion on the evolving landscape of retail,
Liza Amlani and Roz Griner shed light on the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the retail brands. Liza emphasizes the importance of organizational effectiveness and increasing profitability through better
go-to-market strategies, assortment planning, and reducing overdevelopment, while Roz pivots towards leveraging social media and content creation for branding
and consulting. Both agree that the retail sector is navigating uncharted waters, with traditional retail fundamentals lagging the rapid evolution of
consumer preferences. A key issue identified is the industry's reactive nature, relying on band-aid solutions rather than proactively addressing the core needs
and desires of their customers. The conversation also touches on the shift back to physical stores amidst the collapse of direct-to-consumer brands,
highlighting Nike's reversal from a DTC-only approach as a notable example. The dialogue underscores the importance of engaging directly with customers,
utilizing social listening, and integrating feedback throughout the product creation and go-to-market processes. Furthermore, it calls for retail teams to
reconnect with fundamental practices, like engaging with customers on the shop floor, to better understand and adapt to the rapidly changing retail environment, emphasizing the need for a more responsive, customer-focused
approach in contrast to the traditional, inventory-heavy strategies of the past.

The conversation goes on to highlight brand strategic
missteps in marketing and product development, such as heavy discounts and a lack of alignment with the preferences and shopping habits of Gen Z. The
critique notes that Gen Z's aversion to shopping in physical stores, particularly malls, exacerbates the brand's challenges in engaging with this demographic. The conversation critically examines the identity and market
positioning challenges faced by Gap and Banana Republic, two prominent retail brands. For Gap, the core issue highlighted is its ambiguous brand identity and
unclear customer demographic, a problem exacerbated by inconsistent strategies and a failure to reclaim dominance in categories such as denim and basic colorful apparel, which were once synonymous with the brand. The discussion
suggests that Gap's attempt to cater to a broad audience without a defined focus or updated assortments has led to a dilution of its brand identity. This challenge is compounded by seemingly misaligned collaborations and an unfocused
expansion into various categories, such as intimate apparel, without first solidifying its core product offerings. The conversation underscores the need for Gap to revisit and clarify its brand identity, potentially by leveraging
its historical strengths in offering generational and colorful clothing
options, to regain relevance and market share.

Possible Miami 2024

https://possibleevent.com/

In a dynamic exchange, Christian Muche, co-founder and CEO
of Beyond Ordinary Events and one of the architects behind the event Possible,
introduces his venture to host Christine Russo, host and creator of What Just
Happened. Launched in Miami, this event was designed to address the
contemporary challenges and agendas facing the marketing industry, a
multi-billion dollar realm poised for innovation and growth. Muche emphasizes
the importance of creating an event that merges technology, marketing, and
culture into an immersive experience, diverging from traditional conferences by
engaging thousands of industry leaders, celebrities, and talents in a
business-to-business environment. This initiative aims to redefine networking
and professional development in the marketing sector by fostering a platform
for significant industry advancement.

Russo outlines the event’s three critical pillars: consumer
marketing and communication, business and society, and technology and
innovation. According to Muche, these pillars were crafted after extensive
deliberation to encapsulate the essence of current consumer behaviors, societal
impacts, and technological advancements, thereby offering a comprehensive
overview of the industry's landscape. The inclusion of e-commerce, augmented
and virtual reality, retail within gaming, and AI showcases an ambitious
attempt to cover the vast scope of modern marketing tactics and strategies.

The event stands out as a testament to the power of
collaboration, innovation, and forward-thinking in the face of marketing's
fast-paced evolution. By prioritizing content that looks ahead rather than
dwelling on past case studies, Muche and his team aim to inspire and equip
participants with the knowledge and tools needed for future success. The
event's focus on consumer perspectives, coupled with its inclusive approach to
both established brands and startups, fosters a rich environment for creativity
and innovation. Muche's passion for the potential of the marketing industry is
palpable, as he emphasizes the importance of curating a diverse and impactful
agenda that challenges the status quo and encourages a collective push towards
a more dynamic and inclusive future. Through The Event Possible, Muche aspires
to cultivate a community where the power of possibility is not just a concept,
but a driving force for tangible change and growth.

Further, the conversation touches on the critical role of
startups and the broader spectrum of marketing, with AI being a part, but not
the sole focus. This inclusive approach facilitates networking, learning, and
the initiation of substantial business opportunities among participants.
Emphasis is placed on the e-commerce and retail media components, acknowledging
their significance within the marketing ecosystem and the diverse perspectives
and innovations brought in by various partners. The event's structure is
designed to cater to the evolving expectations of today's attendees, offering a
multifaceted experience that spans beyond traditional conferences or networking
sessions. This approach not only sets a new standard for future events but also
reflects the dynamic nature of the industry, where flexibility and
comprehensive engagement are key to staying ahead.

In this insightful discussion with Joe Corbin, CEO and founder of Jumpmind, Christine Russo explores the evolution of retail technology and its impact on both customer experience (CX) and associate experience (AX). Corbin's extensive background in retail, including his time at Abercrombie & Fitch during its international expansion, informs Jumpmind's approach to addressing the complexities of modern retail operations. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the heyday of brick-and-mortar retail, Corbin emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinct needs of large enterprise merchants with multinational deployments.



The conversation delves into the transformation of point-of-sale (POS) systems into point-of-service solutions, highlighting the shift towards enhancing associate-customer interactions. Corbin introduces the concept of AX (Associate Experience), emphasizing the pivotal role of associates in bridging the gap between digital and physical retail experiences. By empowering associates with intuitive and seamless technology solutions, such as tablets or handheld devices, retailers can streamline operations, improve customer engagement, and drive sales.



Additionally, Corbin discusses the significance of data synchronization in the context of cloud migration and AI adoption. Through Jump Mind's Symmetric DS platform, retailers can efficiently move and synchronize data across various environments, enabling agility and scalability in today's data-driven landscape. Furthermore, Corbin shares insights into innovative initiatives, such as CX Connect, which enhances the checkout experience by integrating personalized recommendations and loyalty programs. Overall, the conversation underscores the critical role of human-centric design in shaping the future of retail technology and driving meaningful outcomes for both retailers and customers alike.

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Brandon Singer, CEO and founder of Retail by Mona, Singer discusses the inception of his company during the pandemic and its unique positioning in the real estate market, particularly in New York City. He highlights the resurgence of retail activity in the city, particularly among luxury brands, and delves into the trend of luxury brands purchasing their real estate rather than leasing, as a long-term investment strategy. The discussion also touches on the evolution of neighborhoods like Meatpacking District, driven by factors such as tourism, office presence (notably Google's), and the appeal to both locals and visitors.

Singer further discusses Retail by Mona's innovative approaches, such as utilizing text messaging for communication and leveraging social media presence for property marketing. He emphasizes the company's collaborative internal structure, contrasting it with the traditional competitive model in the industry. Russo acknowledges the significance of Retail by Mona's approach, praising its ability to adapt to modern business practices and foster a more inclusive and effective work environment. Singer concludes by highlighting the practical success of these strategies and expressing gratitude for the insightful conversation.

www.retailbymona.com

In this episode of "What Just Happened," Christine Russo interviews Pano Anthos, the Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures. Pano emphasizes the consumer-centric approach of their venture, highlighting their focus on startups at the intersection of consumer behavior and technological advancements. With a team of 12, they support around 140 startups across three funds, prioritizing innovations that directly impact consumers rather than enterprise-focused solutions.



Pano discusses the current state of venture capital, noting the apprehension among VCs due to concerns about inflated valuations and market volatility. He emphasizes the importance of unique solutions addressing significant problems in today's market, as investors are becoming increasingly risk-averse. Despite the challenges, Pano remains active in early-stage investing, particularly in the retail sector, where he sees significant opportunities for technology-driven solutions.



The conversation delves into various topics such as the evolution of AI, retail technology trends, and the importance of data-driven decision-making. Pano shares insights into the future of personalization, retail operations, and sustainability in commerce. He discusses the potential of AI-powered virtual assistants and the need for businesses to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. Additionally, Pano highlights innovative approaches to sustainability, including reusable packaging solutions and on-demand manufacturing, as part of their investment strategy in sustainable commerce.