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Athleta CMO Sheila Shekar Pollak: Moving creative in-house was not out of frustration with agencies

Modern Retail Podcast · with Sheila Shekar Pollak · April 18, 2019 · 31 min

Summary

Athleta, a brand nearing $1 billion, moved its creative in-house not due to agency frustration, but to optimize brand consistency and speed. CMO Sheila Shekar Pollak discusses Athleta's comprehensive omnichannel strategy, emphasizing the critical role of in-store events in community building and customer engagement, alongside their broader marketing mix to drive growth and loyalty.

Key takeaways

Themes

brand & contentretail & omnichannelfounder & leadership

Topics covered

in-house creative teamsomnichannel marketingexperiential retailbrand community buildingmarketing mix optimizationretail growth strategy

Episode description

In the last year, Athleta, the women's workout wear brand owned by Gap Inc., has taken its creative in-house for its content creation efforts. Athleta CMO Sheila Shekar Pollak discusses the marketing mix for the brand that is on its way to becoming a $1 billion business, the importance of in-store events, omnichannel marketing and more.

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about brand & content?
In-house creative can enhance brand consistency and speed to market, even if external agencies perform well.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Brick-and-mortar stores can be leveraged beyond sales points through experiential marketing and community-building events.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
An effective omnichannel strategy seamlessly integrates online and offline customer experiences, driving stronger engagement.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Successful brands prioritize community building and customer engagement through initiatives that extend beyond product features.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Measuring marketing success involves a clear understanding of KPIs and adapting strategies for high-growth brands.

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