Using a brand's history to fuel its future with CCO Christian Lachel
Aug 13, 2024
auto_awesome
Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts, shares his expertise in blending a brand's history with future innovations. He recounts his journey from the U.S. Navy to shaping iconic experiences like the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Venue. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling and emotional connections in branding. Lachel emphasizes using technology to create engaging brand experiences and discusses how historical narratives can drive both consumer loyalty and community engagement.
Christian Lachel emphasizes the importance of leveraging a brand's history to create authentic experiences that resonate emotionally with consumers.
The discussion highlights the significance of personalized storytelling in engaging audiences, showcasing how brands like Jameson and Johnny Walker illustrate this approach.
Innovative technologies such as AI are transforming experiential marketing, allowing brands to enhance visitor engagement while remaining rooted in their authentic narratives.
Deep dives
The Journey of Creative Direction
The episode features a conversation with Christian Lachelle, Chief Creative Officer at BRC Imagination Arts, who shares his unique career journey from the U.S. Navy to becoming a notable figure in creative direction. Lachelle’s early interest in creativity led him to work in marketing after his Navy service, eventually studying illustration at Art Center in Pasadena, where he discovered his passion for storytelling. He explains that his extensive experience at BRC over 27 years has involved collaborating on diverse projects, including cultural museums and flagship brand experiences. His journey illustrates how creative roles evolve, highlighting the intersection of history, storytelling, and design in shaping brand experiences.
The Importance of Brand History
Lachelle emphasizes the significance of leveraging brand history to cultivate future success, asserting that brands often overlook their past in favor of modern marketing trends. He describes how exploring a company's origins can reveal valuable insights that resonate with both the brand and its audience. By connecting historical narratives with contemporary needs, brands can create powerful, authentic experiences that engage consumers emotionally. This approach is exemplified in the shared stories from iconic brands like Jameson and Johnny Walker, showcasing how their roots can inspire new initiatives.
Deep Storytelling in Brand Experiences
The concept of 'deep story' is presented as a means to connect the hearts of brands and audiences, requiring thorough research and understanding of both sides' narratives. Lachelle discusses how BRC employs an inside-out approach, starting with the audience's desires and the brand's core values to craft compelling stories that resonate. This methodology involves extensive immersion in the brand's history, which may include revisiting relevant locations and engaging with former employees to find hidden narratives. Personalizing these stories is key, allowing brands to create unique experiences that evolve over time, reflecting their journey.
Innovative Examples of Brand Engagement
Innovative techniques like using AI to provide personalized experiences are discussed, such as creating unique flavor journeys at the Johnny Walker experience, enhancing visitor engagement beyond traditional methods. Lachelle highlights how these technologies allow brands to make informed decisions on how to present their narratives, ensuring a captivating visitor experience that reflects modern trends while grounded in authenticity. BRC's ability to create immersive, experiential projects allows brands to stand out in crowded marketplaces and inspire consumer loyalty. The integration of technology, storytelling, and modern culture is essential for brands to connect effectively with their audiences.
The Future of Brand Experiences
Lachelle addresses the growing importance of experience-driven marketing as brands compete for consumer attention in an increasingly digital landscape. He speaks on how contemporary consumers seek out deep and meaningful experiences, prioritizing time spent with brands that engage them authentically. This shift has prompted brands to invest more in immersive experiences instead of traditional advertising routes, connecting consumers through emotional storytelling. Overall, Lachelle advocates for brands of all types, including tech companies, to explore the potential of experiential marketing as a crucial component of their growth strategies.
On the latest episode of the show, we have Christian Lachel, Chief Creative Officer of BRC Imagination Arts, a unique design and production agency that specializes in Brand Homes and Flagships and Cultural Attractions and Museums.
If you’ve been to the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Venue in Scotland or the Raiders Stadium Tour in Las Vegas, you’ve likely experienced their work.
Christian is here today to talk about how brands can and should use their history to fuel their future.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode