Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

In Episode 35 of Earned, Conor sits down with Soyoung Kang, CMO of TikTok’s favorite brand, EOS. We start the episode by diving into the origins of the brand’s unfiltered “Bless Your F-ing Cooch” shaving cream collaboration with TikTok creator Carly Joy (@killljoyy), which went viral and doubled EOS’ business practically overnight. We then take a step back to hear about Soyoung’s impressive background (she received her undergraduate degree from MIT, and MBA from Wharton), and she shares key takeaways from her leadership roles at L Brands, Victoria’s Secret, and Bath & Body Works. We discuss how mass brands like EOS are disrupting traditionally replenishment-driven product categories by creating desire and inspiration for consumers, before unpacking Soyoung’s own leadership philosophies. Finally, we explore EOS’ winning TikTok marketing strategies, including Soyoung’s diversified approach to working with content creators.

In today’s very special episode, Conor sits down with Igor Vaks, founder and CEO of influencer marketing platform CreatorIQ, to share some exciting news. We’re thrilled to announce the new global combination of CreatorIQ and Tribe Dynamics, bringing together the best in the business in influencer marketing, performance management, advanced analytics and benchmarking solutions, and creating the definitive platform leader for the creator economy. Listen to the episode to learn how this powerhouse partnership came to be, and where we’re heading next—together.

In Ep. 33 of Earned, Conor sits down with Adeline Leong, CMO of fast-growing clean makeup brand Kosas. We start the episode by exploring Adeline’s own professional journey, and learn why she decided to pursue a career in the beauty industry. We then dive into the differences between working at large, established companies and smaller, up-and-coming brands, and Adeline shares advice for how young brands can best position themselves for sustainable growth. We learn why Adeline is a “huge believer” in product sampling, before she explains the origins (and results!) of Kosas’ innovative, new “Tryouts” sampling program. Next, we switch gears to recruiting, and discuss Adeline’s strategies for bringing in fresh talent, before she shouts out the beauty industry leaders from whom she’s learned the most. Finally, we close the show by unpacking Adeline’s organic and authentic approach to influencer marketing—a philosophy that spelled stand-out success first for Tatcha, and now for Kosas. Register for our virtual Earned Summit 3.0 here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/earned-summit?aff=podcast  To learn more about how Tribe Dynamics' influencer marketing analytics platform can help you understand your influencer community and supercharge your influencer marketing program, visit our website: https://hubs.la/H0VRsrD0 

In Episode 32 of Earned, Conor sits down with Robert Triefus, CMO of iconic, top-ranking luxury fashion brand Gucci. We start the episode by learning how Gucci has embraced digital to expand and engage its community, and Robert shares a few ways the brand leverages technology to enhance and personalize the customer experience. We then dive into Gucci’s investment in the gaming industry, with Robert unpacking the “increasing intersection between gaming and fashion today.” We hear why Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele champions co-creativity and collaboration in his work, before switching gears to Robert’s impressive career trajectory, as he explains how he found his way into the luxury fashion world. Next, we discuss Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri’s leadership style, and why he prioritizes inclusivity. Finally,  we explore Gucci’s organic approach to working with content creators, and get a primer on influencer marketing in China—luxury fashion’s largest market. Register for our virtual Earned Summit 3.0 here: https://www.accelevents.com/e/earned-summit?aff=podcast  To learn more about how Tribe Dynamics' influencer marketing analytics platform can help you understand your influencer community and supercharge your influencer marketing program, visit our website: https://hubs.la/H0VRsrD0 

In Episode 31 of Earned, Conor sits down with Amy Martin, head of marketing at the fast-growing functional fitness company P.volve. We start the episode by unpacking P.volve’s growth, and hear how the omnichannel brand was well-positioned to weather the COVID-19 pandemic with its at-home training equipment and virtual classes. We dive into P.volve’s functional movement methodology and “no injury” promise, and learn how the brand addresses a “massive gap” in the fitness market by accommodating people dealing with pain and prior injuries. Amy then walks us through her impressive career path—from PR and advertising agencies, to a billion-dollar pharmaceutical company, to non-profit organizations, to VC and startups—before eventually joining the P.volve team as the head of marketing in 2018. She outlines P.volve’s ambitious launch plan, and shares how the brand’s co-founder Rachel Katzman changed her “entire perception on fitness.” We end the show by discussing P.volve’s influencer marketing philosophies, including why the brand only works with influencers who believe in its functional movement methodology.

For Earned’s 30th episode, Conor sits down with Julian Reis, founder and CEO of SuperOrdinary: the beauty incubator and global growth partner helping popular U.S. brands break into the Chinese market. We start by discussing the challenges foreign brands encounter competing with domestic brands in China, and which Chinese brands to look out for. Julian then explains the recent changes in China’s animal testing regulations—and what they mean for brands looking to enter the market—before walking us through the cross-border process. Next, we take a step back to hear about Julian’s entrepreneurial career journey, and what inspired him to found SuperOrdinary, as well as some of the mistakes he made when building a business in a foreign market without local experience. We chat about the Chinese commerce and social platforms we need to be aware of, before diving into the phenomenon of livestreaming, and whether or not it will gain steam in the U.S. Finally, we learn how SuperOrdinary strategically works with over 40k Chinese KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), and Julian reveals the most common misconceptions brands have about the KOL landscape and influencer marketing in China.

As the Earned podcast takes a summer break (we'll be back on July 21st!), Conor reflects back on the learnings and milestones from the last 29 episodes.

In Episode 29 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chandra Coleman Harris, General Manager of beauty giant Revlon. We dive into Revlon’s digital transformation during the pandemic, and learn how the brand leveraged lighthearted “edutainment” content, along with its #ButItHelps campaign, to stay connected with audiences. We also explore how Revlon amped up product categories like nails and hair color as consumers turned to at-home self-care. Chandra discusses the advantages and challenges of existing in multiple product categories, before sharing the tools Revlon uses to observe and anticipate shifts in consumer behavior. We then chat through Chandra’s own career journey, and she and Conor dissect the “night and day” differences between digital marketing back in 2008 and today. Finally, we hear how Chandra’s marketing approach changed following the birth of her daughters, including why she feels a greater responsibility to “shape and mold what beauty stands for and how beauty is brought to life.” 

For Ep. 28 of Earned, we’re joined by Katie Welch, CMO of Selena Gomez’s smash-hit makeup brand Rare Beauty! We kick off the episode by hearing about how Katie uses her own TikTok platform (with over 16,000 fans!) to mentor young professionals interested in the beauty industry, and how Katie herself broke into the space. We then walk through Katie’s enviable marketing career, as she shares how the lessons she learned at communications firm Weber Shandwick—particularly, the power of storytelling—have been invaluable to her work with brands including Bliss, Hourglass, Honest Beauty, and of course, Rare Beauty. Next, we dive into Rare Beauty, and Katie recalls how Selena Gomez’s mission to create a space where everyone feels welcome drew her to the brand. We discuss the challenges that come with building a brand from scratch—in the middle of a pandemic no less—and the innovative ways Rare Beauty kept its community connected and prioritized mental health in the time of COVID-19. Finally, Katie reveals her top three influencer marketing philosophies.

In Ep. 27 of Earned, Conor talks to former supermodel and clean beauty pioneer Josie Maran. We unpack why Josie decided to expand her eponymous brand’s distribution by launching in Ulta, and learn about the 14-year-old company’s upcoming rebrand. Josie reveals why she set out to “help the beauty industry become healthier to the planet and to the people,” discussing the early challenges that came with launching her own brand. We then take a step back as Josie recounts her modeling career, which began at age 12, and describes how she “manifested” becoming a Maybelline model, before chronicling her transition from model to businesswoman. Next, we chat about Josie Maran’s successful partnership with QVC, hearing how Josie built a passionate community of “Arganauts” and started a “rev-oil-ution” by telling the story of the brand’s hero Argan Oil. Finally, we explore how Josie Maran pivoted its strategies during the pandemic, and where Josie is setting her sights moving forward: social media.