Alison Panken

📺 RuPaul’s Drag Race🌈 offers key lessons for brands aiming to connect authentically with the LGBTQ+ community: 1. Be Authentic: Genuine representation matters. Involve LGBTQ+ individuals in your campaigns. 2. Celebrate Diversity: Showcase a variety of voices and experiences within the community. 3. Support Year-Round: Engage with the LGBTQ+ community consistently, not just during Pride Month. 4. Empower and Advocate: Partner with organizations like the ACLU to support broader social causes . By embracing these principles, brands can build strong, genuine connections and foster loyalty within the LGBTQ+ community. 🌟 #LGBTQMarketing #BrandStrategy #Inclusivity #MarketingTips

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Sidelining diverse communities in your media strategy is a surefire way to miss out on engaging Gen Z and beyond. Connect more where they are, less where you want to be. #MulticulturalMarketing #InclusiveAdvertising #MarketingCampaigns

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Why should a brand hire your agency vs. one of your competitors? How does your agency stand out among the 14,000 agencies in the United States? WORKSHOP: Finding Your Authentic Point of Difference Led by Rishad Tobaccowala, former Global Chief Growth Officer, Publicis Groupe, and acclaimed author, speaker, and advisor dedicated to inspiring new perspectives on personal, team and business growth. Interested to learn more? DM me. #AgencyGrowth #CMO #Workshop #NewBusiness #BusinessDevelopment #CreativeAgency 

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I'm deeply saddened to hear of the purging of creative talent at a company where several brilliant people I know worked. There's a disheartening belief at some companies that thoughtful, creative, strategic thinking isn't as valuable in an AI and data-driven marketing landscape. Nothing could be further from the truth. My strongest desire is to secure a role as a creative leader at a forward-thinking startup or entrepreneurial-minded growing company that needs exceptional, passionate, inquisitive minds to expand its brand, engage its community, and propel its marketing and creative efforts. If that happens, I could bring a team of people who fit that bill perfectly and immediately transform an in-house creative/marketing team. If you're looking for creative talent — ranging from brand management, design, content development, digital marketing, creative leadership, video marketing, data storytelling, and/or social media marketing, message me. I can direct you to a wide range of talent seeking immediate employment. And I can provide you with the highest recommendation and vouch for their tremendous capabilities.

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Always wonderful to partner and share insights with Nicole Schuman on employee communication. Transparency, trust and communication are key to the employee experience.

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We craft transformative brand strategies into compelling visual narratives that engage and drive results. Positive happens. Book your free strategy call today and turn your brand’s success into its next level: https://lnkd.in/eFBywzi5 #EngageYourAudience #DriveResults #TakeAction #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #ElevateYourBrand #StorytellingForBusiness #CreativeStrategy #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #MarketingExperts #CreativeAgency #DesignThinking #InnovationInDesign #VisualMarketing #Branding #Marketing #DigitalMarketing #CreativeMarketing #StartupSuccess

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From performative to powerful - we'd love to see you at this webinar next week!

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I wholeheartedly endorse Jaguar’s bold new rebrand. Yes, Jaguar’s recent rebranding has ignited debate, with critics labeling it “wokeness” and supporters praising its audacity. But to me, this isn’t just a new ad—it’s a calculated strategy to align with Jaguar’s electric future. By 2025, Jaguar will transition to an all-electric lineup, retiring its combustion-engine legacy. The ad, with its bold visuals and messages like “Live vivid” and “Delete ordinary,” signals a reset. Critics ask, “Where are the cars?” The answer: Jaguar isn’t selling cars today—production is paused for two years, giving it a rare opportunity to reshape perceptions without immediate sales pressure. Jaguar is not chasing its old audience. It’s targeting a new, progressive demographic aligned with sustainability, artistry, and innovation. Its traditional models were barely profitable; now, it’s pivoting to an exclusive segment, aiming to sell just 50,000 high-margin electric vehicles annually. Think of it as Jaguar’s Steve Jobs moment—a bold focus on fewer, higher-value offerings. Critics, including Musk and Tate, see the ad as abandoning Jaguar’s heritage. But this shift isn’t about forgetting the past; it’s about reinterpreting it for a sustainable future. The simplified leaper logo and tagline “Copy nothing” embody this modern vision. This isn’t “woke” pandering—it’s strategic reinvention. Jaguar’s transformation isn’t for everyone. It’s for a future that demands bold, visionary luxury. The real story will unfold with its electric debut—and this provocative start sets the stage for that renaissance. Nearly 100% of TVCs in the category is "massy". I call that disparagingly as "Catalogue advertising". Jaguar is not a car for the masses. It's about aspirations. Jaguar’s rebranding may not resonate with everyone today, but it sets the stage for a narrative that unfolds over the next two years. It’s a “palate cleanser,” designed to provoke conversation and shift perceptions. Criticism, in this case, isn’t a failure—it’s a sign that Jaguar is challenging the status quo in the luxury category. The real test of Jaguar’s strategy will come when its electric lineup debuts. Until then, the rebrand is a bold declaration of intent, signaling that Jaguar is not just building cars but reimagining luxury mobility for the electric age. As marketers and industry observers, we must recognize the courage it takes to disrupt not just a market but a legacy. Jaguar’s transformation is ambitious, risky, and—if executed well—potentially revolutionary. It’s not about “wokeness” or pandering; it’s about daring to redefine what a luxury brand can be in a rapidly changing world. The question isn’t whether Jaguar’s rebrand aligns with its past—it’s whether it aligns with its future. Been part of teams that have worked on GM, Ford, Toyota and to some extent Porsche. And based on learnings and intuition so far, my answer is a resounding yes.

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Season 3 of #Bridgerton is now streaming, and it continues to set the bar high for diversity and inclusion in entertainment. This beloved series has redefined period dramas by showcasing a richly diverse cast and inclusive storytelling, resonating deeply with audiences worldwide. Bridgerton’s commitment to representing different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences is a testament to the power of diversity in media. It’s not just about telling compelling stories but also about ensuring every viewer feels seen and valued. 📺 What’s New in Season 3: - Continued emphasis on diverse and inclusive casting - More complex and relatable characters from various backgrounds - Storylines that reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives Tune in now to experience Bridgerton's trailblazing approach to inclusive storytelling. Let's celebrate this series for its dedication to reflecting the rich diversity of our world. Kudos to the entire Bridgerton team for their unwavering commitment to representation! 👏 #BridgertonSeason3 #DiversityInEntertainment #InclusiveStorytelling #RepresentationMatters #MediaNews

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If you haven’t read the new OUTFRONT Advertising Trends Report yet, here’s a sampler of the media trends covered in the report.

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An interesting topic and fun one to discuss with Digiday. The industry tends to sprout fragmented specialized agencies to solve point solutions like influencer marketing services and technology. We are now in the consolidation phase where point solutions are being bought and combined into more integrated offerings. It's important for brands and agencies alike to carefully consider a technology strategy that balances proprietary technology solutions with flexible agnostic technology approach to ensure you have the agility to use the best solution in the marketplace for your brand.

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Dentsu is revving up its engines and taking no prisoners with the promotion of Stephen Kiely to CEO of Tag Americas. After 18 years of strutting his stuff in the dentsu arena, Kiely is now at the helm of a company that was snatched up for a jaw-dropping $678 million. Talk about a pricey dinner date! Dentsu isn’t just playing around; they’re betting big on Kiely to expand Tag’s reach across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Now, if you think stepping into the CEO role of Tag is just another nine-to-five gig, think again. Kiely will be wrestling with the increasing demands for tech-enabled and AI-integrated creative production—basically, he’s being asked to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. In his own words, Kiely noted, “The market is energized by the combined power of Tag and dentsu. We've already seen the success of this winning value proposition.” Let’s hope he’s not just blowing smoke. But don’t let his polished corporate persona fool you. Kiely isn’t just about boardroom banter; he’s got a mission. He’s tasked with transforming Tag into a creative powerhouse, and he seems ready to roll up his sleeves and get dirty—figuratively speaking, of course. He mentioned that “our ambition is to add to that commitment of not only delivering best-in-class brand but of performance capabilities too.” You can practically hear the sound of his eyes rolling as he puts on his ‘let’s-get-it-done’ cap. The leadership shakeup doesn't end with Kiely. Patrick Hounsell is stepping into the role of CEO of Dentsu Canada, ensuring the company remains a beacon of innovation—probably while wearing a cape and spandex. With over 25 years of experience, Hounsell is tasked with building on the momentum created by Kiely, proving that these two are more like a dynamic duo than mere colleagues. As Dentsu continues to push the envelope, one can’t help but wonder: is this corporate reshuffling merely a game of musical chairs, or are they actually onto something? With the advertising landscape morphing faster than your cousin’s relationship status on Facebook, brands need leaders who can keep up. In a world where clients crave innovation like toddlers crave candy, Kiely and Hounsell are gearing up to serve it hot. And in a humorous twist that only someone in the advertising biz could appreciate, I’ll leave you with this cheeky nugget: “In the world of advertising, if you're not growing, you're just compost.” That’s right, Stephen—let’s hope you’re more of a sprout than a pile of rotting leaves. Toby Codrington Michael Komasinski Pete Stein Robert Ryan McHardy Steve Nickerson Sheri Wilson

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Oh, brilliant advertising, how I miss you so -- annual Labor Day post. Vita est lavorem = Life is a job #whenadvertisingtriedharder #creativitymatters #adsworthsharing #ohbrilliantadvertising https://lnkd.in/dA-vjAT6

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🚨Trend/Rant/Insight Alert🚨   Across almost every sector and industry, content production is moving in-house. I’ve seen a marked shift towards building out small to mid-level production capabilities inside major brands and agencies in the last six to eight months. From full-time, production and post-production ready teams to Creator-minded TikTok and Reels specialists armed with nothing but an iPhone and a ring light, companies are finding the investment and overhead worth it to ramp up their content mills.   I think there’s a few implications here. For one, the demand to increase speed and decrease the time between inception and publishing is real. Companies and marketing teams, especially for huge global brands, can see social trends come and fade before their processes and workflows can even be engaged, let alone capitalize on them. Smaller, faster teams, closer to the decision-makers give them a puncher’s chance at striking Trending gold. “Learn TikTok,” seems to be the “learn to code” for 2024 and if your marketing team isn’t hiring an in-house creator to be a TikTok machine, they’re one of the few.   And secondly, and likely what I think is truly driving this, brands and agencies want to hold on to as much revenue and fee as possible. Instead of outsourcing specialist contractors, vendors or freelancers on a project-by-project basis, they want established, known-quantity teams with consistent workflows, fixed cost structures and to minimize OOPs. When advertising and marketing budgets get tight, it’s easy to look at production (which is basically *all* OOPs) and see an easy area to trim.   I think there’s pros and cons to this approach. In-house teams can be fast, agile and will know your brand inside and out. They can also get stylistically stale and, at some point, cap out on capabilities and technical know-how. The upside of engaging a wide freelancer and vendor network is the ability to bring in new talent, exciting technologies and fresh perspectives regularly. Additionally, the vendor marketplace (hopefully) means there’s true competition on price and while revenue may be going out, it is (ideally) actually more efficient on a per project basis.   I think the most successful brands will balance a well-rounded internal team for regular, drumbeat content with an extensive network of freelancers and vendors for must-win moments and big swings. Going forward, it’s important brands that build in in-house production continue to train, grow and invest in those resources and not see it as a one-time hit to this fiscal year’s numbers. And production vendors need to understand what role agencies and brands want content to play and continue to bring innovative, efficient offerings to the table. It's never been easier to make great content and tell great stories. But who you choose to make those stories will determine just how successful those stories get told.

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“Su May’s opinion piece is now live on Creative Review” was the subject of the email. Weird. For folks who know me, I have lots of opinions about different things but most of the time I don’t write these down officially, let alone publish them ;) Yet this one I feel strongly about. It speaks to what I have learned at my time here at VaynerMedia EMEA and how it has change my perception of how to get to “good” work and what it actually takes to do better marketing. Today’s brands are built by engaging with consumers and capturing their attention – then capturing it again and again and again as their focus swings from one thing to the next. In fact, consumers’ attention moves so quickly in 2024 that there’s only one real constant: everyone is looking at social media more than anything else. This means that brands need to publish content every single day, paying close attention to what does (and doesn’t) perform and adapting their approach according to the results. It’s not about letting the market decide your approach, but it is about letting the market affirm if you’re getting things right. It’s doing marketing for the sake of better marketing. #vaynermedia #vaynermediaemea #daytradingattention

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For brands, the highest honor, and greatest reward, is irrational love. The benefits are many. People are more likely to forgive you, pay more for your products, stay loyal when new competitors emerge and they'll instantly want your product...no. matter. what. As we dream up the next INNOCEAN USA, building and measuring irrational love for brands is critical to our mission. And the person at the heart of this is Cindy Scott, author of the Ad Age article below.

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What I appreciate about this interview with Fabiola Torres is how concise and no-nonsense the answers are. Very little marketingspeak. All killer, no filler. What that does for perception is reveal a company that's very focused and moving in sync to a clear, easy-to-grasp vision. That, in turn, instills confidence with shareholders, analysts, and consumers that this recent run of form for the company is actually sustainable and capable of producing growth. So you know. Exec comms like this matter.

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Last week at Google, at my team's (Agency Data, Measurement, and Analytics) onsite, I had the distinct privilege of moderating a fireside chat with my client (and friend!) Helen Lin, Chief Digital Officer at Publicis, who is a total industry powerhouse. Helen brought immense inspiration to the conversation and dialogue on change, staying agile, and how to best collaborate with clients. My three favorite lessons below - 🚀 Be introspective and iterate - Take time to be thoughtful about reorganizations and new titles because it’s all about aperture. Give each other grace for the discovery phase because that takes time, and it’s not simple. Messy means opportunity! 🚀 Change is hard - Swing change like a "sledgehammer" and push through noise. When you’re transforming quietly, you have the opportunity to come out strong. Play to win! 🚀 Become client’s trusted advisor - Truly understand clients’ problems and have no preconceived expectations on the solutions. Spend more time listening and understanding their aspirations, absorb it, and then reflect with ideas.  Even when we don’t have the answer, we can always provide a perspective! Thank you Marta Martinez Christina Mohebbi Nadia ✨ Carta for your support and Ada Rice for being my partner in crime!! 🙏🏽 #stayingagile #change #trustedadvisor #data #measurement #analytics #agency

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