Matt Lash, MBA’s Post

On the last working week of the year, I can’t help myself but reflect on the epic year Brand Champions have had. 2023 was always set to be our biggest and most exciting year yet, but that didn't mean it wasn't challenging. We began the year with all of our clients that we had in the previous one. Lots of hugely exciting campaigns covering a whole range of subjects, from taboo health conditions to our much loved cruising. This is one of my fundamental measures of success, client satisfaction. So I already knew we were onto a good thing. Plus we had a new giant healthcare client to get stuck into. We continued picking up major new clients across the year, playing that game of not too many (to make sure our existing clients focus didn’t drop), but enough to grow us to the next level. Particular thanks to PizzaExpress, Compass Group and Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited for trusting us with your brands and your teams, we have absolutely loved working with you. As I always say, the success of Brand Champions comes down to my amazing team, I couldn’t get through the year without Kerry by my side and having the trust in the team enables me to step back and let them lead clients, as they do so brilliantly. (Cheryl Wills, Loren Leavey, Keren Raviv, Sue Spurling and Molly Bradbury) We also welcomed some new faces (Ciara, Eve, Talia and Lucy) to the crew and we've been delighted to have you here. So for me, we started three years ago focused on growing our turnover, whilst maintaining our client satisfaction levels and ensuring our team's happiness. I've said it before, but this year we've really followed through - we don't just work with anyone, we've been choiceful in the clients we work with, that we know fit the BC values. Sometimes you enter a new year thinking it has to be about change, but for me, next year I want to continue to stay focused on these same three things that really matter to me. So 2023, thank you, it's been one hell of a ride - 2024, more of the same please. #brandchampions #thankyou #marketingteam #teamworkmakesthedreamwork

Twenty-four years ago, I was speaking at the Hilton in NYC. I went down to grab the Sunday New York Times, on the bottom right was this picture in color. When I opened to the Business page, this story took up the entire top half. It's what established me as the category-killer killer taking Mike Sheldrake, who was going up against two Starbucks and increasing sales by 50% the first year and 40% the next. What did it take? 👉 New standards - it was not okay to "throw in a bagel" or other perk. 👉 New training - I established a 30-day product training course with a 100-question test for knowledge. 👉 Holding people accountable - do what you were hired to do or move on I still love helping retailers attract more customers and delight them once they are in their shops. If your association or brand is looking for my stories of hope and actionable tips, I'd appreciate the referral. #retail #motivationalspeaker

Since returning home from Dallas late last week, I have had time to reflect on my time at SubSummit 2024. 🤠 I go to this conference to catch up with friends and colleagues, support the industry, and most important, to learn! Many highlights--here's one of them--my conversation with Venessa Yates of Walmart+. Here are some takeaways. 1️⃣ Make sure your employees understand your subscription, and ask them for input and feedback. Not just the product managers and strategy folks--but everyone. Especially customer-facing folks. Walmart+ gave free subscriptions to all of their ONE MILLION team members. 2️⃣ Use a little "merchandising expertise" to create the melody that complements the steady drumbeat of subscription. Venessa's background helped her to see the opportunity to "surprise and delight" members with special, unexpected benefits, ranging from petcare to tax support. 3️⃣ Build your subscription on core strengths, but be open to partnerships. As a result of great interest in petcare among members, and after a successful short experiment, Walmart+ recently partnered with Pawp for vet services. Special thanks to Rachel Nipper and Lauren Pienta for helping us to prepare so well for this conversation. #subsummit #membership #subscriptions

OMG ……….Did you kill #nomnoms 🔫 Easter weekend. A canvas of rebirth and new beginnings. 🌷 Just like a phoenix rising, Nom Noms is embracing its transformation. 🌍✨ Can’t believe it’s been a decade in the making….. …..A journey of passion, resilience, grit and discovery. 💪 Say ciao to the old logo, old packaging & old branding as shown in this video…… ‘’Change is not a threat, it's an opportunity. Survival is not the goal, transformative success is." - Seth Godin. 🚀 Nom Noms is not just stepping into a new chapter. We're leaping. ☘️ Global flavors, redefined…..🌏😋 Global flavors move into mainstream 🌶️🌏 Innovation, our compass 🧭 Sustainability, deeper than ever before. 💡 Community, the heartbeat of our journey 💕 This Easter symbolizes more than renewal. It's a testament to the power of rebirth. 🐣 Apple Starbucks - They've shown us how rebirth can redefine success. 🍏☕ Nom Noms is set to join these ranks 🚀 🌟Anticipate more than a comeback. 🌟Expect a revolution in flavor, packaging, purpose & impact Because ….. Our fight is not normal….. Our fight is against the bland, boring & the ordinary. #nomnoms is coming to liberate palates 👅 ……..and to give your tastebuds permission to travel ✈️ 💥Join us, share your stories of transformation and renewal. 🗣️Because together, we're not just rebuilding. We're creating legacies. 🎉The rebirth of Nom Noms is just the beginning……… 🔔Wanna stay #nommed ? - Turn on #notifications - ring that bell …. Go on 😜🛎 🚀#NewBeginnings #Transformation #EasterRebirth #GlobalFlavors #Innovation #Sustainability #CommunityLegacy Kroger Loblaw Companies Limited RodeoCPG Publicity For Good Metro Inc. Whole Foods Market Compass Group Sysco Sysco Canada Inc. UNFI UNFI Canada #grocery #retail

Take time to reflect I thought about my career the other day. *The things I’ve learned *The things I’ve achieved *The brands I’ve worked with *The rate at which I’ve grown And the impact I’ve had on the industry and my clients. It took me by surprise. I started my business in 2010, but I’ve been in and around video production since the 80s, where I helped out at my parents infomercial business. I looked up to my parents. I still do. Back then, I dreamed of one day owning a business in this space. I told myself that if it was even 10% of what they had — I’d be happy. Fast forward four decades, I’ve worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet, like Coca-Cola, VW, Visa, Taco Bell, Heineken, Uber, Dell, Adidas, and Mountain Dew — to name a few. It hasn’t been easy, mind. It’s been full of ups, downs, twists, turns and surprises. It has tested me. It has pushed me. It has broken me (at one point). But it’s been worth it. I’m not telling you this for a pat on the back. Instead, I want to highlight the importance of sitting down from time to time and thinking about how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved. It’s easy to overlook when you’re so focused on the present and the future. But it’s a great little pick me up. And well, we could all do with more of those in our lives, right? So take a moment to reflect. Thank me later. (That lo-res pic is @ GDC a billion years ago with my ole buddy - and host of Qore - Veronica Belmont) #BusinessOwnership #VideoProduction #Reflection

LinkedIn Post: 🌮 Exciting News from Taco Bell 🌮 Thrilled to share the incredible journey of rebranding Taco Bell! 🚀 As the lead analyst, I spearheaded a strategy that revolutionized the brand's approach and elevated sales to unprecedented levels. Here are the key milestones: 1️⃣ Target Audience Refinement: Identified males 18-34 as the primary audience, strategically focusing efforts to capture more visits from heavy fast-food users. 2️⃣ Value Menu Innovation: Crafted the original "Value Menu" strategy, with the 59-cent taco as the star, providing an affordable and flavorful alternative to hamburgers. 3️⃣ Distinct Brand Personality: Established an edgy, cool, and engaging brand persona, creating a consistent DNA that resonated across all customer touchpoints. 4️⃣ Creative Execution: From advertising to in-store decor, every element was meticulously aligned with the brand personality, offering a unique and exciting experience. Results? 📈 The most successful campaign in Taco Bell's history! A whopping 35% weekly transaction increase for years. 🎉 This journey exemplifies the power of strategic rebranding and effective execution. Proud to have been part of this transformative process! 🙌 #BrandTransformation #SuccessStory #TacoBell ---

As we wrap up an enlightening few days at Digiday, check out a few of our top takeaways with Tommy Shaw #DigidayMediaBuying #RetailMedia #Digiday

Getting your product to your consumer! Day 3 Hosted by Marks and Spencer at their Marble Arch store - things got very real! Kicking us off was Lauren Mallon bringing real energy and honesty in sharing her career journey - important theme being just how far attitude takes you in unlocking breadth & experiences. Hantian Wang brilliantly brought to life the magic of range & spacing - how to stand out and insight into what your customers (Buyer) are prioritising. Our teams were joined by some outstanding graduates Niamh Timpson Hannah Connolly Gregor Munro Millie Stewart who took our teams to stake out different channels (Stores, Restaurants, Pubs etc.). Prompted some excellent thinking around the right channels for the right brands. This is part of the magic of the industry: it's so very relatable and the deeper you dive, the more interesting it becomes. Our delegates felt the same - teams were getting strategic about who was staying/who was going: there's some tension brewing with laptops being slammed shut as soon as anyone who isn't in your team approaches! A huge thank you to the team Marks and Spencer for a brilliant and thoughtful experience - particularly Becky Cock who took the reins mid-way through and delivered such a cracking day. Over half-way now! The energy levels have been sustained, the quality questions keep coming - what a treat to have a front row seat! Psalt

Igniting Synergy: An Inspiring Session with HADCO's Marketing Team at Starbucks At the break of dawn, within the vibrant walls of Starbucks, our brainstorming session with HADCO's marketing team was a spectacle of strategic synergy. Each member, a cog in the formidable machinery of innovation, added their unique strength to the dynamics of our collective brainstorm. Surrounded by the hum of morning conversations and the rich scent of coffee, we delved into the depths of market trends and consumer insights. HADCO's team, known for being a well-oiled unit, demonstrated how each individual's expertise contributes to the gear of innovation, turning the wheels towards groundbreaking initiatives. Our collaboration was a reminder that when minds like these come together, the potential for growth and innovation isn't just additive; it's exponential. With every sip and every shared thought, we're not just planning the future; we're starting its engine. Watch this space as we, alongside HADCO, steer towards uncharted territories of market excellence and creative brilliance. #MarketingInnovation #TeamSynergy #StrategicPlanning #CreativeCollaboration #HADCOMarketing #StarbucksMeetings #XTRAFOODSMARKETINGTEAM

LinkedIn Post: 🌮 Exciting News from Taco Bell 🌮 Thrilled to share the incredible journey of rebranding Taco Bell! 🚀 As the lead analyst, I spearheaded a strategy that revolutionized the brand's approach and elevated sales to unprecedented levels. Here are the key milestones: 1️⃣ Target Audience Refinement: Identified males 18-34 as the primary audience, strategically focusing efforts to capture more visits from heavy fast-food users. 2️⃣ Value Menu Innovation: Crafted the original "Value Menu" strategy, with the 59-cent taco as the star, providing an affordable and flavorful alternative to hamburgers. 3️⃣ Distinct Brand Personality: Established an edgy, cool, and engaging brand persona, creating a consistent DNA that resonated across all customer touchpoints. 4️⃣ Creative Execution: From advertising to in-store decor, every element was meticulously aligned with the brand personality, offering a unique and exciting experience. Results? 📈 The most successful campaign in Taco Bell's history! A whopping 35% weekly transaction increase for years. 🎉 This journey exemplifies the power of strategic rebranding and effective execution. Proud to have been part of this transformative process! 🙌 #BrandTransformation #SuccessStory #TacoBell #chiefmarketingofficers