denise lee yohn: brand as business bites™ / marketing to women

Sheryl Adkins Green, Global Vice President of Brand Development for the iconic cosmetics brand Mary Kay Inc., is my guest for today’s interview.

She has some important insights to share about how to build a brand across many different countries and cultures.  She speaks not only about understanding the differences and commonalities among women around the world, but also aligning the organization around that understanding.

And she should know!  Sheryl leads the company’s global product strategy including product positioning, packaging, product education and pricing.  Prior to joining Mary Kay, Sheryl was the Vice President and General Manager of the Pro-Line International Division of Alberto-Culver.

I met Sheryl a couple of years ago and have really benefited from her wise counsel and support ever since.  I think you’ll really enjoy hearing from her.  Have a listen!

Listen to this post as a podcast:

Right-click here to download the podcast

other interviews:

• omar green on solving customers’ problems
• les mckeown on the path to success
• michael tchong on trends to pay attention to

You know that feeling you get when watching that show, What Not to Wear?  Cringing and squirming, you watch as delusional people show off some of the most hideous outfits –  they think they actually look good when it is so clear they don’t.  That they would be so self-unaware is unbelievable.

Well, that’s how I’ve felt as I’ve witnessed the recent campaigns by two fast food restaurant chains.  They may think they’re rockin’ a good thing, but they’re not – and I’m incredulous that they don’t see it. (more…)

I just returned from a great trip to CES, the Consumer Electronics Show.  There was a lot of excitement around new, innovative products and it seemed like important deals and connections were being made – it was an energizing way to start off the new year!

I particularly enjoyed participating in some breakout sessions in the MommyTech and digitalHealth summits.  It was there that speakers offered up a few sound bites containing wisdom – wisdom that extends beyond the world of consumer electronics and digital technologies.

Here’s what I heard:

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To:  Women of America

From:  W.T.F. (We Target Females), a coalition of marketers dedicated to making complete fools of ourselves while trying to market to women (more…)

Brooks, the running shoe company, has created a delightful little video, “Dream.”

They describe it as capturing “the fantasy of the perfect run.”  (more…)

Just a quick flash from Day 1 of the Action Sports Retailer (ASR) show (all things surf, skate, snow, etc.)  Dakine really stood out as one of the (very) few brands doing a good job reaching (more…)