Welcome to this episode of the Marketing Vanguard podcast. Today, Jenny Rooney speaks with Stacy Doren , CMO of Journeys. They discuss Stacy's transition from 24 years at Levi's to her first CMO role, Journeys' evolution as a mall-based footwear retailer, and how Gen Z is bringing malls back into cultural relevance. Stacy shares insights on differentiating in a competitive landscape, expanding consumer segmentation beyond their traditional alternative/skate audience, and prioritizing brand building after years of performance-focused marketing. Here are the key talking points from the episode: The Evolution of Journeys from Alternative/Skate Focus to Broader Teen Appeal How Gen Z is Making Malls Relevant Again Journeys' Competitive Differentiation in Footwear Retail Transitioning from Levi's to a First-Time CMO Role Building a Foundation for Brand Growth After Years of Performance Marketing Store Refresh and New Merchandising Approach Innovative TikTok and Content Strategies Making Tough Decisions Like Eliminating the Catalog Early Business Results from New Strategic Direction Leadership Adaptation During Business Transformation Unlocking the Creator Economy with Awin Did you know influencer marketing drives twice as many sales as display advertising, with a 37% higher retention rate? Awin helps brands harness this potential with tailored influencer management solutions that drive measurable results. Whether you're looking to grow your creator roster, foster long-term relationships, or track full-funnel performance, Awin’s expertise and platform integrations make it easy to scale campaigns and optimize impact. With partnerships across CreatorIQ, LTK, ShopMy, and more, brands gain access to powerful discovery tools and seamless tracking capabilities, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every stage. Here’s how brands can maximize their influencer marketing: Find the right creators – Access a diverse network of influencers, even in niche markets. Track performance with full transparency – Measure impact from awareness to conversions in real time. Incentivize influencers effectively – Commission-based rewards through affiliate links and coupon codes keep creators engaged. Blend influencer & affiliate marketing seamlessly – Awin’s integrations create a streamlined, results-driven approach. Unlock the full potential of influencer marketing. Visit awin.link/adweek to start building high-impact partnerships today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
