Allison A. Sanders, MBA, MSW

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Last week we explored how your brand may not be for everyone and that’s okay. This week we will look at image vs. brand. Apple has been recognized as one of the most powerful brands in the world. When you hear Apple, what do you think of? One of the first things that comes to mind is the sleek design of their products. The things Apple does just look cool. Now, I want you to imagine a world where Apple products all continued to have the hip trendy designs, BUT none of them worked well. How do you think the world would feel about Apple? I’m assuming that Apple wouldn’t be appreciated, because that would not be a good value proposition. While it’s true that image and design is a component of the Apple brand, it’s NOT the entire brand. The Apple brand also stands for things like innovation, technology, challenging the status quo, simplicity, being intuitive, integration, genius bar, and customer wow moments. Their brand is more than just image and aesthetic, it’s a combination of other intangible promises that Apple makes to consumers.   What does this have to do with personal branding? It’s easy to confuse the concept of image with brand. Your image and the way you present yourself are just part of your broader brand package. While these things are important, staying so focused on surface level elements distracts us from focusing on the true substance. Yes, we appreciate Apple because their products look cool. However, if the products looked cool and didn’t offer the other things Apple offers, they wouldn’t be worth much. I was talking to an individual once, and they brought up how cognizant they are about shaping their brand. They talked about how much time they invest cultivating the right image online on LinkedIn and other social media sites. They also talked about looking the part when they attended networking events. I didn’t hear them talk about their unique genius, strengths, what they do, or how they do it. I didn’t hear them talk about the problems they solve or the value they provide. They were so focused on creating an image that they weren’t creating a brand that provides real value. The challenge: As you build your personal brand, will you think beyond just shaping an image? Will you think about the unique genius and strengths that you bring? #personalbrand #branding #image #marketing #Apple #reflection #value https://lnkd.in/gYNs7XKH

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As consumers aged 55-and-up live longer and livelier (average life expectancies are rising), we're seeing more and more brands innovating into their wants and needs, investing in everything from dermatological beauty to semaglutide-friendly meals. Seeing this macro trend continue to gain steam, we're bringing back our Roundtable, Redefining 55+ Consumers, where we dive deep into the influential (and long overlooked) group: https://okt.to/t4b6n2 #55Plus #GenX #Boomers #ConsumerStrategy #ConsumerTrends

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🚨 Early Thanksgiving Appreciation Post🚨 As we dive headfirst into turkey prep, last-minute grocery runs, and that all-important "Who’s bringing the pie?" debate, I wanted to pause and shout out a few (not all—because we'd be here until New Year's) mentors who’ve had an impact on my career. Spoiler alert: all of them are amazing women. 💪✨ Here’s to: 🦸‍♀️ Ann Meyer Abdi – Her wise words on juggling family and work still pop into my head during life’s chaotic moments. Bonus points for sharing a love of vodka gimlets during our many conference adventures. 🍸 🟡 Caroline Libra – For teaching me about the power of yellow! (Yes, it’s a vibe, not just a color.) Still working on it… but hey, progress, not perfection, right? 🌟 ⭐ Monica Whiting – The queen of customer-first thinking! Your push to never settle for “average” has me striving for greatness daily. 🙌 P.S. In my house, Thanksgiving means empanadas over turkey (don’t @ me) and holiday card assembly lines, all while basking in the magic of this uniquely American holiday. Seriously, shouldn’t gratitude be a global thing? 🌍 Who are you thankful for this year? Tag your mentors, colleagues, or anyone who’s been part of your journey! 🦃❤️ #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #Mentorship

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Am I missing something? Or are we ACTUALLY praising Nestlé for introducing food that meets the needs of people on #GLP1 's medications like Ozempic? 🤦‍♂️ So... 1. Company sells food that is unhealthy 2. People eat unhealthy food and become unhealthy 3. That same company introduces food for those unhealthy people (aka healthy food they could have been making the whole time) and we celebrate it like it's some big innovation? 🤦‍♂️ How is this press release not satire? "The products are high in protein, a good source of fiber, contain essential nutrients, and they are portion-aligned to a weight loss medication user’s appetite. You think that's impressive? Wait till you see the unadulterated kale growing in my garden. It, too, is tailored to the specific needs of the human species and comes in small portions. “At Nestlé we want to be there for every moment in our consumers’ lives. As the use of medications to support weight loss continues to rise, we see an opportunity to serve those consumers. Vital Pursuit provides accessible, great-tasting food options that support the needs of consumers in this emerging category,” Nestle... there for your first chocolate bar, your first frozen pizza, your first GLP-1 prescription, and now your first small-portioned low-sodium microwaved dinner. Serving the emerging category of unhealthy people on medication that they helped create. Brilliant. Don't forget that this is the same company that in 2021 (according to the Financial Times) internally acknowledged that over 60% of products did not meet the ‘recognized definition of health’. As consumers we can't be this easy.

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I had the privilege to lead this dynamic panel conversation yesterday, featuring the CEO Tera Peterson (NuFace) and Michelle Miller  SVP, Global Marketing (K18 Hair)! 🌟We explored the evolution of influencers: from celebrity endorsements to micro influencers: Selecting the “right” micro influencers, prioritizing transparency and authenticity, content management that ignites customer engagement and retention.   #AI # micro influencers #omnichannel marketing# customer centricity  #PanelDiscussion #InnovationLeadership 🚀

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Here is a valuable tip for connecting with women consumers ⤵️ Focus on milestones and life stages more than age alone. Age really is just a number when it comes to marketing to women. Life stages and milestones are often a more relevant way to connect with women than age alone (medical products excepted). For example, with later marriages and births, that 50-year-old customer strolling down an aisle could be the mother of a preschooler. Or a grandmother. Or she may not have children at all. How are you adapting your marketing strategies to focus on life stages and milestones rather than simply age? Share your insights below! 👇

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🏅 PowerBar: The Brand That Fueled a Revolution 🏅 When you think of an energy bar, it’s easy to forget there was a time when such a thing didn’t exist. That was until 1986, when Brian Maxwell, a Canadian athlete, along with Jennifer Biddulph, a nutritionist, and Mike McCollum, formulated a game-changing recipe in Maxwell’s own kitchen in Berkeley, California. What started as a vision to provide endurance athletes with the right fuel for competition sparked the creation of PowerBar – the original energy bar that paved the way for what is now a multi-billion-dollar market worldwide. 🌍 From those humble beginnings: $55,000 in seed money launched the company. PowerBar grew to $150 million in sales before being acquired by Nestlé in 2000 for $375 million. After years of evolution, PowerBar is now proudly part of the Premier Nutrition Company, LLC, continuing its mission to fuel athletes and active individuals around the world. 💡 PowerBar’s Impact: It wasn’t just a product; it was a pioneer that defined a new category of sports nutrition. It’s been trusted by ultramarathoners, cyclists, and endurance athletes for nearly four decades. The brand’s legacy continues to inspire new innovations in active nutrition. Today, as Head of Brands & Communications for Active Nutrition International, I’m honored to be part of this incredible journey of a brand that continues to evolve, empower, and fuel performance for athletes everywhere. PowerBar’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, passion, and perseverance. From the kitchen counter to global markets, it remains a symbol of endurance and energy. 🔗 How has PowerBar fueled your journey? I’d love to hear your stories and experiences! #PowerBar #SportsNutrition #BrandLegacy #Innovation #ActiveNutrition #FuelYourPassion #Endurance #EnergyBars

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