The standard playbook wasn’t enough for Jess Cook, so she wrote her own.
In this episode of Reed Between the Lines, I sit down with Jess, Head of Marketing at Vector, who leaped from leading content to running the entire marketing org. Her career move wasn’t about climbing the ladder. It was about finding creative freedom and proving that brand and storytelling deserve a seat at the table.
From her early days of writing jokes on McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes to bold campaigns at Vector, Jess shares what she’s learned about standing out, taking risks, and building marketing that connects with people.
Press play to discover:
- How Jess turned frustration into fuel for becoming Head of Marketing
- Why B2B marketers should borrow more from B2C playbooks
- The creative thinking behind Funnel Vision, Vector’s eye-catching launch
- What to do when leadership doesn’t understand or value the brand
- The simple method Jess uses to get buy-in on big, bold ideas
If you’re a marketer looking for inspiration to push your career and creativity further, you’ll want to hear this episode.
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(00:00) Welcome to the Show
(04:29) Frustration with Execs Undervaluing Content
(07:36) Recognizing Patterns and Knowing When to Leave
(10:46) Choosing Between a VP Role or Going Solo
(12:22) Why Storytelling Beats Demand Gen in B2B
(14:29) Writing McDonald’s Happy Meal Jokes at 21
(18:18) Headline Formulas That Connect with Audiences
(21:34) Studying the Greats to Sharpen Creativity
(25:20) The Rice Krispies Super Bowl Pitch Story
(28:25) Selling Big Ideas with Names Like Ninja Kick
(30:44) Funnel Vision Launch with Ghost Laser Eyes
(35:22) Canceling Funnel Cake Podcast Days Before Filming
(40:03) Adding Affirmations to Make Marketing Fun
(44:50) Testing Bold Ideas to Get Executive Buy-In