The Safari

Ken Nisch is the Chairman of JGA and has focused his efforts developing branded environments and consumer strategies for clients around the world including Sundance, Hershey’s, Sleep Number, Signet, H&M, Shinola, Whole Foods Market and El Palacio de Hierro. His consumer knowledge and entrepreneurial insights have been an integral part of the conceptual development and strategic image positioning for many retail operators, manufacturers and brand marketers in entertainment, hospitality and traditional retail for more than 40 years. Ken is an inductee of the Retail Design Institute Legion of Honor, the Shop! Hall of Fame and serves on the board for Shop Association as well as private and public retail companies. We talk about: the importance of content and storytelling in all his projects, the conceptual development of retail brands, sustainability in design, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer

Jennifer Vaughan Maanavi is the CEO and Co-Founder of Physique 57, an innovative and modern take on fitness that offers a fresh new boost to barre workouts. She is an accomplished entrepreneur and thought leader with more than 20 years of success across the health and wellness, fitness, and financial services industries. We talk about: the inspiration behind Physique 57, the expansion process of her studios, the move to hybrid fitness, the idea of a health quotient, the convergence of media and wellness and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Luca Solca is the Senior Research Analyst at Bernstein covering European Luxury Goods. With over 25 years of experience, his research has been consistently recognized by industry organizations as trusted research that cuts through complexity with independent clarity, generating exclusive insights that reframe perspectives and strategies. Earlier in his career, Luca served as the Executive Vice Chairman of a publicly traded, medium-sized fashion and luxury Italian conglomerate. Luca was also a partner at the Boston Consulting Group focusing on the retail and consumer goods sectors. We talk about: his approach to uncovering insights, what’s next for retail and luxury fashion, shifts in the travelling luxury consumer, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer

Bill Brace is the EVP Chief Marketing Officer and Executive General Manager of Jared of Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest retailer of diamond jewelry. Bill previously served nearly 30 years at Procter & Gamble, Co., most recently as VP of Global Antiperspirants and North American Skin and Personal Care, where he drove billion-dollar brands through consumer-centric strategies and successful execution. He brings to Signet a history of turning around complex, underperforming businesses through high-impact marketing, unified brand strategies and breakthrough innovation. We talk about: expanding the digital experience in the jewelry industry, the visualization of jewelry, how the consumer has evolved throughout the pandemic, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer. 

Evan Berkley is the CEO of Mr. Christmas, the industry leader in creating, designing and marketing innovative seasonal decorations. For over 85 years, this multi-generational family owned business has been a constant during the holiday season by delighting families with memorable and treasured gifts. We talk about: the nostalgic component of the holiday season, the product iteration process, brand partnerships, psychology of the consumer today, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Amanda Baldwin is the President of Supergoop!, the sunscreen and beauty brand driven by the purpose to change the way the world thinks about sunscreen through its clean, protective, and highly innovative products. This philosophy has propelled Amanda and her team to constantly imagine ways to help people wear SPF every day. We talk about: Supergoop!’s brand DNA, her experience in the beauty industry, product innovation and brand expansion, the future of the brand, and more.

Robert Jaegly is the CEO of Mana Products, the world’s leading partner for innovative development and manufacturing of branded and private label prestige beauty products. At Mana, he helps create beauty’s next trends by combining industry insight with cutting-edge research and operational expertise to yield truly singular cosmetics and skincare products. We talk about the history and emergence of Mana Products, where the global beauty industry sits today, the company’s focus on innovation and sustainability via Mana Clean, consumer consumption shifts, its beauty accelerator program, and more.      Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Chieh Huang is the CEO and Founder of Boxed, the online membership-free wholesale experience that offers direct delivery of bulk-sized packages with the goal of making shopping for bulk easy and convenient. Prior to Boxed, Chieh was the CEO of Astro Ape, one of the first mobile social gaming studios. After Zynga’s pre-IPO acquisition of Astro Ape, he became the Director of Zynga Mobile NY, leading the fastest and most efficient game team within Zynga. We talk about the genesis of Boxed, the lessons he has learned about how to cultivate phenomenal work culture, the effects of the pandemic on consumer purchasing behavior, his journey as an entrepreneur, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.

Bruce E. Teitelbaum is the Founder and CEO of RPG, an award-winning design/build firm globally recognized for its ability to invigorate the brick-and-mortar experience, elevate and reinforce the power of brands, and compel consumers to shop and purchase. Through Bruce’s leadership, RPG has recently formed strategic alliances to deliver the highest of standards in turnkey solutions, including formulations, packaging, filling, trend forecasts, and brand strategy. We talk about: how to think about brands within physical environments, various types of customization, the future of retail, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer

Chris M. Williams is the Founder & CEO of Pocket.watch, the studio that specializes in entertaining and inspiring kids and families through digital-first content and sparking their imaginations with lifestyle products ranging from toys to toothbrushes. He's dedicated to bringing kids and families more of what they love by turning YouTube stars, characters and formats into global lifestyle franchises through the creation of books, television shows, games, movies, consumer products, live events and much more. We talk about: the future of children’s entertainment, how content translates to consumer products, the importance of being audience centric, what is next for Pocket.watch, and more.   Interviewed by Mortimer Singer.