Valerie Brown

It's a very dark time in media land. My sympathies go out to all of those impacted Participant and all across Hollywood during these very dark hours. The traditional business is in a true state of economic depression. Depressions ussually form due to a combination of technological upheaval and too much exhuberance on the part of the investment community in response to a changing landscape. In March of 1928, RCA or "Radio" as it was known in the market was selling for 94 dollars a share. By September 1929 the stock was selling at 505 dollars a share. By July of 1932, that same stock was selling for 17 dollars a share! Media has been here before. It may get darker before this next dawn, but inevitably we'll get to a better place in my beloved business. It won't be radio - or TV - or film, but a new generation of content that will bring fresh opportunities - the creator economy, AI. Until then, know that during any industry wide depression, you are not alone. Be kind and supportive to your fellow media bretheren, and do what you can to help bridge their journey to whatever is next.

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We need Melinda's influence now more than ever. Women are at a pivot point in our society and globally. I am hopeful her 25 years of philanthropy experience will improve all women's lives. "Decades of research on economics, well-being, and governance make it clear that investing in women and girls benefits everyone. We know that economies with women’s full participation have more room to grow. That women’s political participation is associated with decreased corruption. That peace agreements are more durable when women are involved in writing them. That reducing the time women spend in poor health could add as much as $1 trillion to the global economy by 2040." #Leadership #WomensRights

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Blending Art & Science in Pasadena 🎨🔬 The singer #Rihanna “found love in a hopeless place,” and I found my teenage crush in the back of a #Ross store in Pasadena during the July 4th weekend. There he was: Prof. Richard Feynman, whom I first heard about in high school Physics class. His face on a giant mural, taking over the entire back wall of a warehouse-like building. ➡ To a young aspiring scientist, he was the ultimate role model: a world-famous Physicist and a Nobel Prize winner. ➡ To a marketing executive, he suddenly appeared as my first marketing icon. Prof. Feynman could explain quantum physics in ways that excited the general public. As an #engineer-turned full-stack technology #marketer, I’ve always felt inspired to do the same. If Feynman could make physics interesting and relatable to everyone—even teens—then I must strive to explain any technology I’m responsible for marketing in clear, layperson terms. Feynman’s “teaching method” has become my gold standard. I often ask myself: “How would Feynman explain it?” With human attention spans dropping to less than that of a goldfish 🐠, the pressure to communicate clearly is immense. (Did you know that goldfish have an average attention span of 9 seconds, while humans have a 8.25 second attention span?) https://lnkd.in/gxGqMsqh Just a few weeks into my new role as VP of Marketing at Synadia, I’m inspired to channel that same spirit of simplicity and excitement into my work. For example, here's how we make complex #Microservices systems simple with NATS.io https://lnkd.in/gd-BZZMN: 3 favorite things in a technical post: ✅ architecture diagrams ✅ call flow diagrams 🍒 ant lines in the diagrams 🐜 as a cherry on top! Just like the mural in Pasadena blends art and science in unexpected ways, so should marketing in 2024. We must cut through the noise and capture our audience’s attention in those precious few seconds ⏱️. What techniques do you use to make complex ideas relatable to your audience?👇 #ArtMeetsScience #MarketingInspiration #RichardFeynman #Storytelling #Innovation #Synadia The Art" "The Motion of the Planet", for Richard Feynman, 1997, Artist Gifford Myers, Altadena, California

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Here's tonight's post to honor Earth Day week. Or Earth Week. Or just Earth, since I'm a week late, anyway! I'm revisiting podcast episodes about environmental leadership. This one has another unusual perspective: How going green is a defense of capitalism! Listen to the podcast with Mike Gerbis. He focuses on the business case for addressing global issues, including climate change -- and how much it already costs businesses to deal with climate change's effects. In short, going green is just plain good business. To me, that feels like environmentalism and capitalism are complementary when you remove the political rhetoric. Give it a listen, and let me know what you think! https://lnkd.in/eYB4Shev

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My secret dream in writing workingagreement.com is to become an advice columnist. This week I got my first question: what's different about onboarding new teammates when this is their first job out of undergrad? Read on to find out more, including my list of common new grad mistakes, and some good advice from Julia McClellan: https://lnkd.in/gHGudsfZ

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If you're a "winner", are you also a bad person? Nike's long form ads are usually second to none but this is the most challenging one I've seen. I talk a lot about how transferable the skills I learned as a professional athlete are to my working life. There's all the good stuff: the discipline, focus, comfort in discomfort, not relying on motivation, good time management, support of team mates And then there's bad stuff... The stuff athletes are supposed to leave on the pitch (or in my case the pool) Or is it good stuff? Or is it okay sometimes? Or is it never okay? 'I'm single minded, I'm obsessive, I'm selfish, I have zero remorse, I have no compassion' the voiceover in the ad says And at the end... "Winning isn't for everyone" I know it's meant to be controversial but in sport, like in work and life, the ends don't always justify the means... I'm still trying to work it out, what does it take to be a winner? (also, the level of representation in this ad is unparalleled, hats off to you Nike, always leading the field!) P.S., want to know what I'm thinking most of the time... https://lnkd.in/gueF7CZT

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New To You (To Listen To) What podcasts have just launched? We're your guide to stellar options. SEEK THE MAGIC: "Hi, I'm Erin, a spiritual adventurer, tech marketer, and wife and mom of two. I'm here to share the insights I learn, the joy I find, and hope to help others find a way to seek more magic in every day." JUST CHECKING IN by Mixing Board: Join technology comms pros Rebecca Buckman and Keyana Corliss as they cut to the heart of today's tech-news cycle and the general craziness that is high-tech corporate communications right now. With a short, not-too-serious take on the industry - with plenty of humor and irony thrown in - they'll bring you the best in the biz, across comms and media together, for one-of-a-kind insights and perspectives you won't hear anywhere else! REAL LIFE MORTGAGE SOLUTIONS: Mortgage Solutions for the everyday Canadian mortgage consumer. Are you thinking about becoming a mortgage broker? Learn first-hand what you should look for in a brokerage and what you need to be successful. PERFECTLY UNFINISHED CONVERSATIONS: The Iron Lab Podcast: raw, real, unfiltered, unfinished conversations about trying to EAT, SLEEP, TRAIN and LIVE a messy, imperfect life. Support, accountability, fun and authenticity. @iron.lab.lacombe MADE APPAREL SERVICES: Tips, tricks, and advice on getting a sewn product idea into development and manufacture. @madeapparelservices #JustCheckingIn #KeyanaCorliss #RebeccaBuckman #MixingBoard #SeekTheMagic #RealLifeMortageSolutions #IronLab #PerfectlyUnfinishedConversations #MadeApparelServices #comms #communications #media #sewing #mortagebrokers #workout #fitness

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It’s not about meet in person. It’s about meet up in person. We could all use more in-person gatherings, to connect, engage and grow. You are who you surround yourself with, after all. I’m writing this from the CMO Summit 24 floor in NYC, as I connect with other CMOs, vendors consultants, and more. I’ve already learned so much — about industry trends, universal challenges, emerging tech and services, best practices, AI GTM applications, and more. (A post about those learnings to follow…) I’m incredibly grateful for these conversations — in our ever increasing digital world, it can be easy for marketers to forget how valuable in person networking like this can be. There are just some things that can’t be replaced in an exclusively virtual world. In fact, I recently received a note from someone I connected with at an event last year. She detailed how our conversation ultimately helped her find a job where she felt valued immediately. It was a very sweet note and I was incredibly touched — and reminded of the magic of marketers talking face to face. We’re all connected in this industry. And you never know where the next flash of inspiration will come from. So as the world continues its digital trajectory, let’s do our best to remember that sometimes it’s worth making that extra effort to show up in person. You just never know who you might run into…like the wonderful Jill Rowley and Sangram Vajre, whose expertise and outside POV have so helped me along the way. 🌱 #PavilionCMOSummit2024 #Networking Pavilion

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🔥𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐧-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭. The Washington Commanders, formerly the Redskins, are amidst a brand identity crisis. They have undergone a significant, multi-year rebranding under the previous management. It has been a phased change from the Redskins to the Washington Football Team to now the Commanders. The name changes have effectively ruined the team’s traditional theme song, “Hail to the Redskins.” Enter local fans and rappers Woodrow Sellers, known as DJ Woody Oh Goody, and his nephew Wayne Sellers, Big57. Last season, a song they created, “Commanders Song,” went viral and became the unofficial anthem for the team. The song even includes a left-hand-up gesture now seen at every game and recently at the NFL draft. Their latest release, “Those Haters Can't Stand Us," could be the anthem for the new season. Like any sports team, the Commanders have a passionate, deeply-rooted fan base that spans generations. Commanders fans have had a lot of feelings about the rebranding but their love for the team has not abated. Fans like DJ Woody Oh Goody and Big57 now have the power to create the brand content they want to see. We are amidst a new brand-consumer paradigm fueled by bottom-up, authentic consumer-led content meeting brand content head to head. Consumers, not brands, are in the driver’s seat of today’s content-driven experience economy. For fashion and luxury brands, the lesson from this is not to incorporate micro-communities into your influencer marketing strategy (even though you should do that). Content marketing strategy is not enough. Overarching content strategy matters because without it brands will get lost in a sea of content they can’t control. Brands need an integrated content strategy framework with core content operations model that builds a connective tissue between brand content and community content. Content is the experience and it’s driven by fans, not brands. https://lnkd.in/e7s8emcU #contentstrategy #brandstrategy #fans #creatoreconomy #branding #contentmarketing #brandstorytelling #fashion #luxury #music #sports ——— To see all my posts - follow and hit the notification 🔔 at Jessica Quillin, PhD Fashion Strategy Weekly - tailored B2B strategy insights for fashion and luxury decision makers It’s A Working Title, LLC®️ - boutique agency focused on content strategy and applied research for fashion, luxury, and the experience economy

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https://lnkd.in/gBcMj2Sk #dei #representation It is so sad to me that companies are falling under political pressure to eliminate or "rebrand" their DEI policies. This is again another tone def consequence of the Trump Supreme Court and a bunch of old out of touch folks that have no idea whats going on in the real world especially youth culture. As a strategist I have worked on DEI initiatives and strategies for over a decade and they are critical for business. There is data that proves that multicultural teams outperform homogenous ones. Working in the culture space, where trends are born and trailblazing is happening, a company has to be at the forefront of cultural innovation to connect. Our global consumer spans all cultures and communities now, and if we aren't reaching them in an authentic way, a brand can't engage. Representation across age, socio economic upbringing and culture is not only the right thing to do, but great business. Let's send the right message. Diversity and expansion is cool= pass it on.

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A #lazyweb sort of question for folks … As I mentioned, I’m writing a book. I’d love to send out chunks of it to various people to get their feedback on what I’ve written. Google Docs sharing can be painful. Is there a better, lightly technical, platform for collaborative editing/commenting/document review you’d recommend? Basically, stop me from fighting Docs or firing up a GitHub repo for this.

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✨Exciting News✨ Yeah, we could have made your typical whistleblower drama—but 1Community doesn't do typical. This film is something truly special. Imagine a fresh, comedic twist combined with heartfelt moments, all wrapped up in a compelling coming-of-age narrative. Join us on an unforgettable journey as we follow the story of an idealistic young woman who refuses to back down, even when faced with adversity. Her unwavering commitment to her principles sets her on a path that will inspire and uplift audiences everywhere. But that's not all—we're on a mission to shift the culture around conceptions of #democracy. We need a bold reimagining of what democracy means for #GenZ and young Millennials. Forget the old notions of simply voting for our leaders or defending a system from afar. We're here to make democracy an active, hands-on experience for everyone. Because when we "Move as 1" there is no limit to what we can achieve together. Stay tuned for updates and get ready to be moved by her courage and resilience. #Comingsoon

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10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women – it’s the first time ever we’ve crossed the 10% mark. To have a leader that I implicitly trust, inspires me in every interaction, and gives my entire team permission to be bold – I count myself lucky.    This week, minutes after reading the updated Fortune 500 rankings, my daughter Lola walked in during our SLT meeting – Kate paused mid-sentence to welcome Lola to the call. We said hello and then went on mute. What Kate didn’t get to hear was me telling Lola who my boss is – a CEO part of an elite group breaking glass ceilings. We need leaders like Kate across our Fortune 500 and beyond as they will reshape the world Lola grows up in – allowing her to fully unleash her potential.    Under Kate Johnson’s leadership I’ve witnessed the power of culture and diversity in driving innovation and success. Our place in the Fortune 500 is not just a win for Kate or Lumen Technologies; it’s a testament to the wisdom, leadership and culture we’re cultivating at our company.    Every day, I come to work knowing I’m part of an organization that doesn’t just talk about values but lives them. I count myself lucky to work for a leader who inspires me and so many others. Let’s Go! #allin #Fortune500 #WomenInLeadership  https://bit.ly/3Ku00ov 

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Empathetic leadership and kindness are true game-changers in the world of talent management, fostering environments where employees feel valued and supported. In Chief Talent Officer's latest Talent Insights article, Maya Orbach, VP of People and Culture at Folloze, shares how these values drive success. Key insights from Maya: ➡️ Empathy and Strategy: Transparency, kindness, and flexibility foster inclusive cultures and rapid growth. ➡️ Respectful Coaching: Understanding and respecting each individual’s journey enhances our influence. ➡️ Employee Well-being: Investing in personalized well-being programs acknowledges the whole person. Thank you, Maya, for sharing your wisdom and highlighting the profound impact of empathetic leadership. #EmpatheticLeadership #Kindness #TalentManagement #EmployeeEngagement #ChiefTalentOfficer

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Imagine you're frustrated at work but you're not exactly sure why. Or you're a manager and your team is struggling. Or you're just curious about how things go off the rails at work. I think I have the answer for you. My colleague Aaron Delgaty, PhD has released his much-anticipated book "Working Relationships" today. It's a book that truly helps leaders and employees alike understand how and why things work (or don't work). Relationships in the work context have gotten a bad rap. They've often devolved into the transactional state of employee engagement (pay me, I work), the soft science of friendship and connection, or the literal relationships we have. "Working Relationships" isn't that. Instead, it explores the combination of continuity, reciprocity, purpose, and hope that gives depth and meaning to work more broadly. It helps you make the connection for why something works or doesn't. But Aaron doesn't stop there. He also gives readers a diagnostic to help them identify and start to solve some of the challenges in their working relationships. Through interspersed storytelling and explanations, he helps guide anyone to a better relationship with work. In that sense, the book is a satisfying look at the high-level, anthropological workings of work while also diving into pragmatic steps that any executive, talent leader, manager, or individual can take to drive a better workplace for themselves and others. I was lucky enough to get to read this book twice during the creation process so I'm biased. But Aaron does such a good job of capturing what is happening and why that it's helped me understand work better. You can get the physical or Kindle book below. https://lnkd.in/gRj38GR8 Ashley Bernard Bret Starr Steve S. Kevin Mangum Dan McCarron Erin Swan, CDE® Jonathan Goodman Matt Tatum Joel Stupka Nancy (Pummill) Crabb Erin Magee JJ La Pata Racheal Bates Anthony Spangler, APR Bailey Blanchone Valerie Cruz Forin Joanna Castle Erin Sanders Dana Karpinski Michelle Parke, Ph.D. Kara Goldberg Noah Johnson Kristin Berry Lou Chapman Ashley Dillon Matthew Lee Mathew Saenz

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As marketers it's time we go beyond representation in creative. The next step is to ensure representation, resonance and relevance while showing up to support communities. This is how we can authentically center historically underserved communities. #InclusiveMarketing

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The Tortured Purchasers Department Taylor Swift's new album smashed just about every prior record on Spotify this week, but what about the delivery experience for all the Swifties who ordered a physical copy of the album? Back on Feb 4th at the Grammy's, Taylor announced her new Album 📀 would be released on April 19th. It was immediately available for pre-order online, but Swifties had to sit in a waiting room for 30 minutes on Feb 4th as demand was so high (presumably Taylor didn't want to be responsible for single handedly bringing down Shopify). Fast forward to April 18th. All the 📀 pre-orders are shipped (I can only imagine the logistics planning behind this, with 700k physical vinyl copy sales reported and likely most of those pre-orders). Customers that paid for next day shipping ($28), essentially got a higher chance at getting the album delivered on release day (19th), but for everyone else that opted for standard ($10) shipping, they didn’t get their shipments until day(s) after release 😢 New product releases are hard to manage. When Apple ships out iPhone pre-orders, they upgrade (for free) everyone's shipping to UPS / Fedex next day to ensure everyone gets their order on the day of release (no early product leaks / no unhappy customers). The reality for Swifties was this: Although they waited patiently in a digital lineup to place their order 2 months ago, unless they were willing to spend $18 extra to upgrade to next day shipping, they were never going to get their vinyl album on the day of release. I guess the margins on a vinyl album aren't quite the same as an iPhone, but nonetheless I can't help feeling Taylor should have reached into her pockets and "surprised" her fans with a free "next day" delivery upgrade so everyone could have had album physically in their hands on the 19th. #thetorturedpoetsdepartment #nextdayshipping #swifties

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Thanks for having me on, Robin! I could talk about rejecting the binary, dismantling systemic racism, tricky big tech, and channeling my inner lesbian hippy with you all day. Friends! This podcast is a smart, funny, and beautifully impassioned listen that offers hope for how we can build a better country and maybe even save democracy while we're at it. Check it out!

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How unlikely is Jenny Nguyen's story of opening, running, and now franchising the very first bar to exclusively screen women's sports in an inclusive environment? Well, when was the last time you saw a queer, Southeast Asian founder? Black and Latino founders received only 1% and 1.5% respectively of total US venture capital funding Women-founded teams received 1.9 percent of VC funds LGBTQ people received 0.5 percent of VC funds 0.1 percent of VC funds went to Black and Latino women founders We are not even gathering data on people like Jenny Nguyen. This story teaches a valuable lesson about invisibility and how it overlaps. I am both queer and Southeast Asian which means I almost never see data on my experience. This also means, no one really understands the depth of inequity and inequality of these joint communities on a large scale. Often, it's not until we see something we thought was impossible that we understand just what it took to defy the odds. So despite my misgivings about venture capitalism and representation and even franchising, I'm thrilled for Jenny Nguyen. As a women's sports fan, as a queer person, and as a Southeast Asian woman, I hope there will be many more Jenny Nguyen's to come. https://lnkd.in/dM93Vxqc

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