Chris Gorges

The best—and worst—part about collaborating with small- and medium-sized businesses can be the founder. Present company included. Founders are brilliant, passionate, entrepreneurial, and visionary. And sometimes that can be limiting. Read below how agency owners like myself manage the challenges—and opportunities—that come with working with SMBs. Forbes Councils #partnerships #leadership https://lnkd.in/e-uGiSUF

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Can't believe it's been 6 years since this discussion aired, and it still resonates as certain brand traits remain timeless. Give this clear synopsis by Gayle Alden Robbins l MS Sustainability a read to see how great brands should still tick the same way today as back in 2018: https://lnkd.in/gkN2Wush "In an era where the average lifespan of brands is shrinking due to creative destruction, building customer lifetime loyalty is more important than ever. By forging emotional connections, practicing radical transparency, understanding and delighting customers, focusing on brand over advertising, and leading with passionate beliefs in a niche market, brands can create deep, enduring loyalty."

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Making the transition from marketing and advertising to VC has been as rewarding as it has been challenging. There is so much that both sides can learn from each other; real magic happens at the intersection of the two. As the Chief Brand Officer at Hannah Grey VC, I am helping founders accelerate Go To Market by applying principles from the marketing world, as well as carving a path so that more advertising professionals can participate in the startup ecosystem. I'm getting a lot of DMs from talented individuals at brands and agencies, seeking guidance on how they can get a better understanding of how they can work more closely with startups to add value to their own companies, or make a career transition into angel investing and venture capital. So, I've opened up 5 exclusive 1:1 mentorship slots on Intro. What can we cover together? ✔️A 101 on how Marketing / GTM works at startups and VC firms vs agencies and brands ✔️How to get involved with the startup ecosystem and apply your knowledge to VC firms and startups ✔️How Brand Strategy, Positioning, and Channel Strategy from the marketing world directly plays into the success of high growth startups ✔️How to sharpen your skill set to prepare for VC or startup advisory positions *Disclaimer - only sign up if you are willing to do hard things **Earnings will be donated to the IRTS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to building future leaders and increasing diversity in the media industry. ***No pitches from founders. If you are interested in sharing your business for investment consideration, please visit the Hannah Grey VC website and fill out our intake form (we do not charge for this). Honored to be on Intro alongside world-class experts like Zack Urlocker (former COO at Zendesk), Neal Goyal (Director of Sales at Tapcart), Marc Coloma (Global multi-billion dollar international leader), Edo Perry (CEO & Co-Founder ELEMENTS, Climatech Expert) & Megan Cunningham (Personal brand-builder. Clients: Airbnb, Google, Apple, Amazon & more). Comment “interested” and secure your spot now:

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"Purpose is dead. Long live purpose!" Two or so weeks ago, I had a thought-provoking conversation with Ken Beaulieu, head of the Association of National Advertisers' Center for Brand Purpose, about whether marketers are truly moving on from purpose or if it's simply evolving into something more profound. Ken shared research he conducted this past Spring with Internationalist Insights and was curious to learn my take on what it said about the evolving role of purpose in today's complex landscape. Some key topline insights I shared with Ken include: 🔍 Purpose: Evolving, Not Fading Despite sentiment among some marketers that purpose is "one and done," the ANA-Internationalist research reveals that purpose is very much alive and evolving. While 85% of marketers acknowledge that insubstantial purpose can harm a company, a strong brand purpose remains a “North Star” for organizational alignment and impact. 🔗 Beyond Marketing: A Holistic Commitment Purpose is maturing into what it is meant to be: much more than a marketing strategy. It's a company-wide effort transcending PR tactics, one that requires the commitment of the entire organization, from the C-suite to front-line employees to ensure it is embedded into brand DNA and business operations. 💡 Five Guidelines for Embracing Purpose: 1. Align Purpose with Organizational Goals: Purpose is most effective as a driver of decision-making and operations, not a stand-alone initiative or after-thought. 2. Communicate Authentically: Sincere messaging, backed by tangible actions, is crucial for resonating with all material stakeholders. Empower Stakeholders as Advocates: Engaged communities amplify brand reach and grow impact. 3. Cultivate an Ethical Supply Chain Across Sectors: Partnering with nonprofits and maintaining responsible practices enhance the honesty of purpose. 4. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Purpose is an ongoing tool for risk management and innovation. When activated effectively, purpose serves as a strategic compass for modern brands, guiding them to navigate today's shifting social landscape more fluidly. Embedding purpose in a brand’s DNA and business operations cultivates genuine engagement, enhances social impact, and drives profitable growth. For more in-depth insights, read my full article on the ANA's Industry Insights blog. (https://lnkd.in/eX7uGgcR) What do you think about purpose in today's landscape? Is it one and done or is its role evolving? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #Purpose #MarketingStrategy #Growth #Performance #CorporateResponsibility #SustainableBusiness #SocialImpact #BrandCitizenship #DoGood

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Worth checking out for any companies at the right stage.

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On the heels of the big Suno fundraise announcement today, I thought it would be timely to share this discussion around how AI will impact creative industries and talent from our recent panel at the Milken Institute Global Conference. As discussed, it is clear that Gen AI tools will greatly increase the number of people who experiment with creating content, most of whom could never have otherwise created this content and none of whom currently create this content professionally or commercially. This will 1,000,000x the amount of content produced and available for consumption. That said, I believe that general consumers will continue to gravitate toward the highest quality content. This goes for everything from written content, to music, to animation, film, and beyond. The idea that Suno song creation is replacing general music fans' time spent listening to music on Spotify or other DSPs is asinine. That said, it is clearly a fun tool to experiment with, allowing thousands of people who never could have otherwise created a song to create a song - I've used it quite a bit to prompt a handful of tech house kpop songs about living in Berlin. It will be interesting to see how much of their funding goes toward legal bills or more likely licensing the music which is currently being used to train their model. At Patron we’re most interested in companies looking to leverage Gen AI technologies to reshape how professional content creators build a business around their creative talent and output. We believe strongly that this represents a huge opportunity to turn static media formats into more interactive and replayable experiences, and to completely change how creative talent producing written content, webtoons/comics, songs, animation, video, and games can better earn a living off of their creative output. #MIGlobal #GenAI

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Sharing some news today: Sunflower Fund I is officially fully deployed and we will not move forward with a Fund II. 🌻 The story... For those who don't know, I work with founders and funds on storytelling, messaging and design for their investor pitch decks. And I absolutely love it. 3 years ago I decided to launch a venture fund after never having before angel invested. Disagreed with the others that I couldn't raise without a track record because I could point to, at the time, the 150+ companies I had worked directly with to help them successfully fundraise. Being in the spot of working with companies before they went out to formally fundraise was a special spot to be in...especially as an aspiring investor. So I raised a small fund from epic LPs - mostly GPs at other funds and founders/operators because they totally got the strategy of Sunflower Fund: an actually helpful VC who sees companies before most and will do the dirty deck work! It's been an absolute blast, but in deep reflecting, I am passionate about working directly with founders and I don't feel the fire under my butt when it comes to manage and operate an additional fund...solo. With that said, I am open to meeting exceptional investor/operators for a potential Fund II one day. For now, I'll continue to support our portfolio in all things storytelling and design, and continue to work with founders and funds directly. Our 20 company portfolio is in full bloom. 🌻 Track record 250+ companies/funds strong. Tough decision as folks expect you to continue with a lifetime of Funds, but a good reminder that you can always write your own story.

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Female/diverse founders, get all over this! 'Attention early-stage founders raising – excited to announce open applications for PEERLESS 2025! Led by AlleyCorp and Management Leadership for Tomorrow, curated programming will culminate in 5 founders pitching at Google's NYC headquarters in April, where one winner will receive a $1M investment from AlleyCorp. This isn't only about creating a more equitable tech ecosystem, it's about backing the next generation of exceptional founders who are uniquely positioned to shape the future. Applications opened on October 15th and close on December 6th 2024. While they welcome all early-stage founders with exceptional ideas, AlleyCorp is encouraging applications from startups that: Have raised less than $2M Are technologically innovative Have a strong go-to-market advantage Have identified a large market opportunity Are led by Black, Latine, Native American, or female founders All applicants will be invited to various ecosystem events with top founders and VCs. Learn more and start your application at https://lnkd.in/g_j8KVJR

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I just wrapped up reading a great book, Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger. 🎙️I did a 6-part podcast series with some key takeaways I learned. If you haven't read it yet, I strongly recommend it! 🎙️ Here's Part 1 of 6... #ViralMarketing #Contagious #SocialCurrency #SocialMarketing https://lnkd.in/eYEsCdGm

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It's the M&A you never expected. 2 became 1. The 🔐Turnkey and the 🗝️Keys newsletter formats merged into one 𝘔𝘌𝘎𝘈 issue for more women-centric career tips and turnkey work/life hacks in each edition. It isn't a trick, but a treat (it's October after all). This week I'm dishing on: ✔︎ Testing the 'women are Al rebels' research findings ✔︎ The "personality tax" in feedback (and what to do about it) ✔︎ Middle-management promotion tips and tricks ✔︎ Instinct as a decision-making MO ✔︎ 3 tips to finish your to-do list every time Don't miss the next issue in a couple of weeks. Because work hits women differently. Am I right? Smash subscribe [in the comments]. ❓Tell me: What's on your mind about your career? (I'd love to write about it).

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The strategic value-add of cultural leaders: How their involvement goes beyond capital to include mentorship, network access, and brand endorsement 👇 Megan Holston-Alexander, Derek Dolin, and Deborah Embaie, MPA, Partners at a16z Cultural Leadership Fund at Andreessen Horowitz, offer valuable insights on how to strategically engage cultural leaders as investors and partners in “Influence Meets Innovation: How Founders and Cultural Leaders Can Work Together”. Check out the key insights in the attached presentation 👇 ───── 👉 Follow me, Alexander Small, for tactics and strategies for building startups from industry-leading Founders, Operators and Investors

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FROM VALLEY TO PEAK: WHEN YOUR COMPETITOR'S WIN FEELS LIKE YOUR LOSS   Storytime: My client was recently gearing up for a crucial funding round when news broke that a competitor had secured a massive investment for a mirror-image concept. Talk about a gut punch. Cue the existential crisis? NO! Sure, she mourned. Of course she did! But then she peeled herself off the floor and admitted that the project she’d been trying to build had stopped reflecting her own values and core competencies anyway. She hadn’t realized how filled with anxiety she’d become at work because of it, and this had been the wake-up call she needed. She talked with her team, and they pivoted to what made them original in the first place, and, in doing so, made her company stand out even more with investors.   Here are some things I recommend to clients needing to turn an "oh no" into an "ah-ha!"   Feel the Feels 😢 Suppressing your emotions is like ignoring market feedback. Both contain invaluable data. Unprocessed emotions leak into decision-making, team dynamics, and your overall leadership presence. But when you acknowledge and work through them? You gain clarity, build resilience, and model the emotional intelligence that top-tier teams are built on. Remember, your EQ can be just as vital as your IQ.   Put a Clock on It ⏰ While giving yourself permission to mope on the couch with good (bad) take-out food is important, so is moving forward. Set a realistic timeframe to process the disappointment, then commit to shifting your focus to solutions.   Phone a Friend 📞 Surround yourself with believers, people who truly see your potential, especially when your eyesight might not be fully 20/20. Let them boost your confidence so that you can take baby steps back into the world.   Your "Setback" Is Your Setup 🔄 My client's crisis was clarity in disguise. Sometimes you need to see someone else's path to realize it's not yours. Channel your inner improv comic and play the "yes, and" game. Every hurdle becomes a "Yes, this happened, AND now we can..." It's not just positive thinking—it's strategic reframing.   Vulnerability Is Your Superpower 👥 Being open with your team isn't airing dirty laundry; it's a masterclass in resilience. Vulnerability doesn't erode authority—it reinforces it. When you're real, you give others permission to be real too. That's how you build high-performing teams with a culture of trust and innovation.   You're the Secret Sauce 🌟 In a market saturated with copycats, your one-of-a-kind perspective isn't just an asset — it's your edge. You don’t need to zig or zag just because everyone else is zigging or zagging. Let them chase their own pots of gold while you lead with what's inherently you. Leverage your strengths – your variety pack of quirkiness / creativity / knowledge / etc. – those are your true differentiators.    Now let's play a game: Describe your most recent professional challenge in 3 words, then share how you overcame it in 3 words.

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#Session #13 #AdTech #Economic #Forum is 6 days away.  Buy your ticket today. The #AdTech #Bull is hungry for consumer data! https://lnkd.in/eKg5m_M2 You’ve been drinking from the fire hose since Session #1.  We've gone all the way down the supply chain step-by-step.  Most of the time, industry folks depict the supply chain ending with the publisher. But that’s not the endpoint.  Consumers are the end point.  They consume “free” content and get ads in exchange for their attention. It’s a #value #exchange.  At least that's what it's supposed to be.  The value exchange used to be #implicit. Now it's increasingly #explicit with more privacy regulation and consumer education. Just like walled garden data models across social media, commerce media, and CTV with walls forming around open web publisher and advertiser first-party data efforts, #consumers are also growing little walls around access to their data. But there is more to the story. Jamie Barnard from Compliant along with Kathryn Farrara from Unilever and Alysa Hutnik from Kelley Drye & Warren LLP will tell you the rest of it. Come to The AdTech Economic Forum to find out! April 24 at The New York Times Center in collaboration with the amazing team at Beeler.Tech!

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For most investments, a young founding couple would be an additional risk to consider. Most recently, it was a sign of extreme founder-market fit. I'm extremely excited to announce Charge Ventures latest investment into Plenty: the investment platform built for couples. As active consumer fintech (and crypto) investors, we're obsessed with multiplayer finance and social money. Having spent a month trying to open a simple shared bank account, I jumped at the chance to back Emily Luk, CPA, CFA & Channing Allen's vision for a better way for couples to build wealth together. (See our deep dive on wealth tech here: https://lnkd.in/dicWfzP). But to be clear, the founders dating history is the most superficial reason why we invested. Emily has spent her whole career solving complicated problems in fintech. A chartered CPA and CFA, she started her career at PWC then joined stripe as an early member of the growth team before helping to guide Even Financial to an acquisition by Walmart as VP of Operations. These folks know how to turn complicated financial challenges into winning consumer products. Share an account but looking for something better? Check out Plenty today. Let's go! https://lnkd.in/ekV39fqw

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At SKYEFOX VENTURES - SFXV we are enabling brands to scale successfully to reap the rewards of success. Thank you to our friends and partners at BeautyMatter! Scott Gurfein Matthew Wenzler Socket Managed Services #partnerships #business #supplychain #entrepreneur #share #businessmodels #architecture #scalability #teamwork #socialnetworking #culture #socialentrepreneurship #entrepreneurship #startupstrategies #leanstartups #startups #startup #leanmanufacturing #manufacturing #management #productmanagement #projectmanagement #operationsmanagement #executivesandmanagement #futurism #future #innovation #productivity #strategy #consultants #managementconsulting

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The #FTC warns that hashed emails aren’t anonymous, especially when they are l (re)associated with consumers by other organizations in a non transparent manner. Translation: #HEMcookies, and opaque #IDnetworks that power most targeting, are at risk. DM me for advice. #cookies #cookietoast https://lnkd.in/gtZHW2Vq

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A recent Sendoso blog post reinforces what marketers already know: Give to grow and never look back. Diving into the latest takeaways from Kacie Jenkins on HockeyStack's report The State of Gifting, it's clear: gifting isn't just a gesture; it's a strategic powerhouse for boosting business outcomes. I've experienced firsthand embedded in blindingly fast growth B2B companies how integrating thoughtful gifting strategies can transform marketing and sales dynamics. A few points from Kacie’s take that resonate with me. Marketing teams can empower the outbound motion within the GTM team. If marketing is the primary driver for gifting within an organization, they can and should be bringing playbook to the SDR Manager, Sales Enablement lead or whomever owns outreach sequences and has the opportunity to increase meeting rates by over 3X and second call rates by over 6X. A personal touch can forge stronger connections from the outset early in the prospecting motion. Modern B2B demand marketing requires ongoing always-on deal acceleration campaigns to ensure those hard-earned middle stage opportunities don’t slip or vaporize. HockeyStack reports deals that include gifting close approximately 30% faster and see almost a 2X increase in win rates. Marketers can and should lean into supporting the mid sales stages. Be frank with your sales colleagues on how you can introduce a timely message coupled with a gift. They should appreciate the old school proven give and get approach and be intrigued by your air support in speeding up revenue cycles. While gifting involves an investment, the returns are undeniable. If gifting is part of the inbound/outbound motion and there is well throughout touchpoints, the GTM and leadership teams should be asking for more. You’ll have channel metrics to prove the impact along with direct prospect feedback as evidence. It’s more than reasonable to benchmark success using the gifting’s report a 40% reduction in MQL costs and a 15x revenue impact highlight its cost-effectiveness compared to other traditional marketing channels. Socialize this barometer internally before, during and after any gifting efforts to draw your line in the sand. Relatively budget friendly high perceived value to actual cost will surprise and delight accounts, and what are we trying to accomplish as marketers if not delivering timely, provocative and compelling messages to our target audience. In a competitive business landscape where meaningful connections can make all the difference, gifting isn't just an expense, it's an investment in building lasting relationships and driving sustainable growth. #GiftingStrategy #MarketingROI #BusinessInsights #SalesAcceleration

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Missed our webinar on "Inclusive Research, Universal Gains: Elevate Insights for All"? Want to learn how tailoring market research to include often-overlooked populations leads to universal improvements in participant experiences and research quality? The recording of our conversation is now available: https://lnkd.in/gzdHJS2p - Hear our expert panel (Dawn V. Carr Maria Lucia Parra Dana Keilman Kristen Harmeling) explore the positive ripple effects of making studies more accessible to diverse groups, including mature individuals, people with disabilities, and Black and Hispanic communities. - Learn how these #inclusiveinsights practices not only amplify underrepresented voices but also enhance the overall research process, benefiting all participants and yielding richer, more comprehensive insights!

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**Diverse Segments Represent Business Growth: Are CMOs Investing Accordingly?** I recently read an insightful article by my colleague Isaac Mizrahi, CEO of Alma on Forbes that delves into a critical question for today's marketers: Are CMOs investing appropriately in diverse segments? As we approach the second half of the year, companies are reassessing their business projections amid an uncertain macroeconomic scenario. With inflation and high interest rates impacting consumers, brands are seeking growth opportunities beyond price increases. Diverse segments present a promising avenue for growth. According to the latest U.S. Census report, Hispanic, African American, and Asian American consumers now represent 100% of the country's population growth and a significant share of business growth across various categories. Isaac's analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that between 2017 and 2022, total annual aggregate spending per household increased by 25%. Notably, the combined diverse segment experienced a 42% increase in expenditure, outpacing the non-Hispanic white segment, which grew by only 19%. Household purchasing power also surged, with the Hispanic segment growing by 46% to $1.3 trillion, the African American segment by 35% to $1.0 trillion, and the Asian American segment by 47% to $0.7 trillion. These segments now represent 30% of America's household purchasing power, up from 26% in 2017. Despite these numbers, many CMOs still view diverse segments as an extension of the general market, relying on single, broad-reaching ideas. However, connecting with diverse consumers requires a balanced mix of inclusive and culturally specific approaches, leveraging influencers, social media, and digital channels to amplify culturally relevant messages. Ignoring the significance of diverse segments, especially among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, could be a costly mistake. These consumers demand recognition of their whole identity, including ethnic pride and belonging, influencing American culture in music, fashion, food, sports, language, and entertainment. Marketers must invest strategically in diverse consumer segments to achieve substantial growth and become market leaders. It's time to put marketing investments where the growth is. Which side will you pick? #Marketing #Diversity #BusinessGrowth #ConsumerTrends #CMOs #EthnicMarketing #hispanicmarketing

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