Allie Marconi

This is why I don't listen to the arbitrary sh*t online. (We just debunked a DTC myth). We ran a giveaway for one of our Food & Beverage brand partners. (The cardinal sin of popup forms, apparently). The difference? We partnered with brands that have a very similar customer demographic. We used a Klaviyo form to capture the giveaway entries. - Collected 10,859 new subscribers (only 1,806 of them were existing subscribers). That’s 9,053 net new subs - The overall list size prior to this was around 26k - 1,345 of the new subs placed an order - 1,914 unsubscribed This list has an average open rate of 56.43% in the last 30 days. And has a click rate of 7.81% in the last 30 days. 4,069 of the 10,859 are “highly engaged” and a further 1,095 are “somewhat engaged”. The AOV of this list is $125.96. 9,083 subscribers of this list have visited the website. Ultimately, the only way to really know something is to test it for yourself. One method may not work for the majority of brands... But could absolutely smash it for yours. The core reason this worked so well was because this brand has an incredible customer retention rate off the cuff... + the brands chosen to co-participate in the giveaway were highly relevant. The secret is to do a giveaway with a winning horse. A brand where you can both add value to each others' ecosystem. And the other big secret is to test things out. Don't let others form your biases.

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The most successful social media post I have ever been part of started with these words: "We hear you." The key to the success? Leading with empathy. A while back, a client of ours at Smoketown, LLC got wrapped up in a rumor that was fueled by misinformation. This rumor turned into potent controversy on social media and our client was widely accused of walking away from their core values. No part of these rumors were true, and, to be honest, they were quite absurd. A natural reaction would have been to be judgmental: how could these folks fall for such a ridiculous story? But that reaction, while natural, would have been the wrong one. In the midst of a firestorm, it is powerful to slow down, summon more empathy, and figure out the underlying reason for the drama. Once we did that, the frame changed. We read the radioactive social media comments. A pattern emerged: the brand's fans were having a hard time trusting institutions, including us. It was almost as if they were just waiting for the trust to be broken. So we tried to level with them: "We hear you." At the end of the day, no matter how value-driven and transparent a brand is, they are still a business. And to consumers, this means there is always the potential for their trust to be broken. That's why brands with a real commitment to their values, which was the case for this client, need to make empathy a core competency. From the outside, the social media post could have seemed simple, almost trite. But the reaction was exactly what we hoped: Thousands of positive engagements. More shares than any post in the company's history. Consumers appreciated being heard. With empathy, everyone won. #empathy #brandcommunication #brandvoice #marketing #brandvalues

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📚 Serendipity struck at Powell's Books in Portland! I stumbled upon Mike Kim's "You Are The Brand" - a book I've been eager to explore. As I settled into a cozy corner of the hotel lobby, I was reminded of the irreplaceable joy of holding a physical book. In our digital age, there's something magical about the tactile experience of turning pages. Anyone else feel this way? Diving in, I knew I bought the right book when I read: "For so much of our lives, we see ourselves through the lens of a company, organization, or role rather than the skills we possess or who we inherently are. We fail to see our unique expertise." How often do we define ourselves by job titles, overlooking our unique skills? Focusing on the life we want to live is the way to see ourselves not what job titles we have had. I'm excited to uncover more gems of wisdom. I'm curious: Have you read "You Are The Brand"? How do you approach your personal brand? #PersonalBranding #YouAreTheBrand #ProfessionalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #PowellsBooks

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Unbound Snacks just went through a totally excellent rebrand, and it’s seriously rad! We're talking a branding transformation that’s made this brand rock on every shelf. Rebranding, dude, isn't just about slapping a new logo on stuff. It’s about aligning your brand’s vibe with what your audience craves. We took Unbound Snacks on a journey of awesomeness, crafting a story and look that’s both gnarly and irresistible. Is your brand feeling, like, totally bogus? Let’s crank it up to 11! Retail Voodoo doesn’t just rebrand—we give your brand the power to totally shred the market with style and impact. Ready to party with your food and beverage brand? Team up with Retail Voodoo and we’ll make your brand most triumphant. Let’s rock this! Peek behind the curtain at more excellent Unbound work: https://lnkd.in/g3-tpuwU #FoodAndBeverage #BrandStrategy #Rebranding #RetailVoodoo #Snacking #CascadiaCreativeAwardWinner #Silver Unbound Snacks LLC. #ExcellentBranding #PartyOn #RebrandingMasters #BeExcellentToYourBrand

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It's January 2nd. The holiday glow is fading. Reality is setting in. Good. After two decades building brands, here's what I know: Real growth doesn't start with resolutions. It starts with this moment - when the work begins. Don't let perfect plans paralyze you. Start small: - One system improved - One decision made - One step forward The best brands aren't built on January 1st dreams. They're built on January 2nd action. What's your first step? #BrandBuilding #ActionOverPerfection #2025Goals

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Hot take: Chick-fil-A didn't mess up. Hot take # 2: social media pundits are missing the larger opportunity here (to lift the discussion out of the quagmire of "is social media valuable to a brand?" and tie it back to corporate issues that do matter to the c-suite). Presumably, the Chick-fil-A employee handbook addresses employee conduct at work, including creating content. "Change the employee handbook" is not the magic wand it sounds like. Can you imagine what a huge undertaking that would be? The hundreds of hours and legal reviews and approvals and expense it would entail? Easier to just shut down a rogue employee. But I digress... The franchise has tens of thousands of employees. What if even half of them decided to test a new policy that allows them to create content while clocked in? Think of the disruption to service. The distraction to their fellow employees. The safety hazards. Carve out an exclusion for this one employee, you say? Nope. I'm no lawyer, but there's liability for the corporation lurking somewhere in that option. Instead, Chick-fil-A should have done what Shake Shack did. Corporate should have hired her on the spot, away from her in-store position. Nurtured her creativity and innovation, sent her on a national tour of Chick-fil-A establishments. The larger point: view this through the lens of (employee) talent management within any organization. Employees are always being evaluated for their suitability for other, more demanding roles with increasing responsibility and increasing value to the organization. This is no different. Let the food service teams do what the food service teams do best. And when a talented member of that team shows aptitude for something outside of food service, nurture it, feed it, and see how you can support that employee's career development. As social media experts, we need to do a better job of lobbying for our discipline through the eyes of the executives and c-suite. Let's talk about this scenario like the executives we hope to be one day (not just petulantly stomp our feet and demand that decision makers at Fortune 500 brands acknowledge how important pithy memes and viral videos are to today's culture). I'm with you, I promise, but we've got to start speaking in a language that the c-suite can't ignore. #socialmedia #brandmarketing #influencermarketing

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With over 4 million possible Chipotle Mexican Grill combinations, the chances of someone ordering the exact same burrito bowl as you at the exact same time are slim. But during Chipotle's Doppelgänger Campaign, whenever an identical order with at least 8 menu customizations came through (chicken and rice burritos didn't make the cut), Chipotle-goers got an email alert letting them where in the world their doppelgänger ordered from. Chipotle's email campaign led to a click rate 176% above benchmark in the first four weeks and $4.8M in revenue. Creepy? Ingenious? I'd love to hear your thoughts! #emailmarketing #chipotle #doppelgangercampaign Stagwell

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When I decided to leave my role as SVP of Marketing Billd back in June of 2023 to start my own CPG brand, there was ONE thing I heard very consistently from almost everyone I spoke to.... "Have you heard of SKU?" It was clockwork. I'm not kidding. If I met anyone in CPG (Founders, investors, etc.), they'd all say "You need to get in touch with the folks at SKU. Even just the connections will be helpful." 14 months later, Amia was accepted into the Fall 2024 Cohort at SKU and will be joining 7 other exciting brands and founders on a journey towards acceleration, learning, community, and opportunity. I'm thankful for all of the opportunities that I continue to get with this brand. To me, it's a testament to our mission and vision of empowering a billion people worldwide to take control of their migraines through more holistic, dietary approaches, without the need for pharmaceuticals. We have a big vision. To ensure every single grocery store worldwide has a "Trigger-Free" aisle that people with migraine can shop, just like allergen or gluten-free aisles. Don't get me wrong. This shit is hard. The opportunities that have opened up are great. And it's nice validation. But nothing is handed to me. I'm busting my ass every step of the way. Thanks to Brooke Wilson, Buff Greebe and Michelle Breyer for the opportunity! Looking forward to working with you all. About SKU: SKU was founded in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 100 companies have completed the SKU program. SKU has gained a national reputation for excellence, with such publications as Forbes naming it one of the top CPG accelerators. Learn more at www.sku.is.

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"FB mikestoneallstateagency IG mikestoneagency LI mikestone4336 🚨You're being USED. 🚨 Let me break it down for you: advertising is powerful because it taps into our subconscious. Mountain Dew doesn’t spend $7 million on a Super Bowl ad to make a quick sale the next day—they’re embedding their brand in your mind. So when you’re standing at the gas station, staring at the drink cooler, your brain says, “Oh yeah, Mountain Dew!” That’s not an accident—that’s intentional branding. This isn’t just for billion-dollar companies. As agents, small business owners, or entrepreneurs, the same principles apply. You’re not just selling today; you’re building trust and familiarity for when your audience is ready to buy. Social media is your Super Bowl ad—it’s your chance to be top of mind. Post consistently, engage authentically, and show up in your audience’s feed so when they’re ready to make a decision, your name is the first that comes to mind. It’s not about being pushy; it’s about staying present. Want to learn more about how to master the art of branding and make advertising work for you? Check out this episode of The Sales Factory podcast with Mike Stone where we dive into the strategies that keep your business thriving. 🔗 Do the smart thing - watch now at https://lnkd.in/eJdMpbQ3 #TheSalesFactory #Podcast #MikeStone #MountainDew #SuperBowl #AdvertisingTips #CoachCarroll #BrandBuilding #MarketingTips #TopOfMindAwareness #SmallBusinessSuccess"

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Sometimes I forget how impactful email marketing is. Not this past week though. At Braze Forge, email marketing was THE most exciting topic to chat about. I caught myself frequently mentioning this case study with Clinikally (YC S22). Look at that number: 71% revenue increase. Not open rates. Not CTR. REVENUE. It's insane how what seems like a tiny little change can make such a colossal impact. In this case, the tiny little change was: - Clinikally turned their lifecycle emails into interactive shopping experiences Ok, I get it. It might not seem like such a tiny little change to some of us. But since Clinikally uses Mailmodo, setting up that email took them just a few minutes. 😎 #EmailMarketing #InteractiveEmails #LifecycleMarketing

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Target just announced an upcoming launch of a limited-edition collection designed to celebrate the bond between pets and their humans – the Cuddle Collab is a partnership with renowned "fur-fluencers."    In 2023, Americans spent $147 BILLION on their pets, so animal lovers are hardly a niche audience! More than 70 percent of pet owners treat their pets like members of the family which drives the demand for premium treats, personalized accessories, etc. Our own Barcode Intelligence research has shown, however, that even with pet products, the vast majority of consumers (95 percent) comparison shopped or changed retailers to find good quality products at a better value, especially when it comes to "non-essentials" like toys and accessories.    Target's grasp of how to differentiate their retail offerings, laser focus their marketing efforts, provide affordable options that feel luxurious and draw in exactly the right audience never ceases to amaze. As a pet person, I'm loving this creative collaboration! https://lnkd.in/ghWZKA5X

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Recently, I found myself in a bustling coffee shop, where amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, my gaze was drawn to a triple-height wall signage. It boldly proclaimed: "WE MAKE YOUR DAY..." Yet, what caught my attention were the last three letters, standing out in stark clarity, while the rest of the phrase blurred into the background: "D-A-Y." In that moment, a philosophical reflection washed over me, reminiscent of Stoic teachings. 💭 Life, much like this sign, often presents us with moments of clarity amidst the blur of everyday existence. It reminds us of the power we hold to shape our own experiences and perspectives, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. The Stoics remind us that while we cannot always control the external events that unfold around us, we have absolute sovereignty over our inner realm - our thoughts, attitudes, and responses. 🌱 "D-A-Y." Each day is an opportunity, a canvas upon which we can paint our own narrative of resilience, growth, and gratitude. It's a reminder to focus on what we can influence, to find meaning and purpose in the present moment, and to cultivate a mindset of resilience and gratitude, no matter the circumstances. Let us MAKE OUR DAY, not just in grand gestures, but in the small, intentional choices we make each day. Let us infuse our lives with purpose, passion, and positivity, turning every moment into an opportunity to shine. ✨ #StoicWisdom #MakeYourDay #PhilosophyOfLife #Gratitude #Resilience #MindsetShift 🌞

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Are you maximizing Pinterest’s potential for your food brand? 🌱 Most brands we talk to are not tapping into this channel effectively. A common mistake is thinking of Pinterest as a social network when it actually functions more like a visual search engine. Optimizing your Pinterest presence for search can add a consistent traffic source for your brand. A few tips to get you started: 🌟 Use the Trends tool to identify popular keywords 🖼️ Create visually appealing pins with keyword-rich titles and descriptions 📅 Regularly update boards with seasonal content to stay relevant Read more about leveraging Pinterest SEO for your brand on our blog: https://lnkd.in/g2ZSFcXf #FoodMarketing #DigitalStrategy #PinterestSEO

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Major donors will have objections. Welcome them! You want to hear the objections so you can adequately address them. An objection isn't a personal challenge or an attack. Your job isn't to fight the objection. Your job is to ask probing questions so you completely understand the objection and then provide a well-researched answer. If you don't know, tell the donor and find the answer. Responding to objections is what makes a great proposal convert.

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Major donors will have objections. Welcome them! You want to hear the objections so you can adequately address them. An objection isn't a personal challenge or an attack. Your job isn't to fight the objection. Your job is to ask probing questions so you completely understand the objection and then provide a well-researched answer. If you don't know, tell the donor and find the answer. Responding to objections is what makes a great proposal convert.

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Major donors will have objections. Welcome them! You want to hear the objections so you can adequately address them. An objection isn't a personal challenge or an attack. Your job isn't to fight the objection. Your job is to ask probing questions so you completely understand the objection and then provide a well-researched answer. If you don't know, tell the donor and find the answer. Responding to objections is what makes a great proposal convert.

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💥 How to Re-Engage a Stale Email List for Your Pet Care Business 🐾 Sometimes, even a loyal email list needs a little spark! If engagement has dropped, here are some simple ways to revive interest and bring your pet care emails back to life: 🐶 1. Show Fresh Value Share new tips, trends, or exclusive pet care advice. Pet parents love fresh insights they can use! 🎉 2. Offer a Surprise or Incentive Give them a reason to open! A limited-time discount, fun giveaway, or sneak peek at a new service can reignite interest. 💌 3. Personalize and Engage Directly Send a “We Miss You” note, share a personalized message, or use their pet’s name. Small touches create a personal connection that feels genuine. A little creativity and care can go a long way to revitalize your email list! Try these tips, and watch your audience come back with excitement. 🐾 #Engagement #Reactivate #Magtania

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Brands that consistently engage with their communities create loyalty that goes beyond the product 🤝🏼 Take poppi for example! They sent holiday PR with fun items that are totally relevant to their target demo (adorable PJs + a nostalgic holiday card, pls!!) Thoughtful and nostalgic touches like these not only connect with their audience but also get amplified to a wider community through organic sharing! How are you creatively engaging with your community this holiday? LMK below!👇🏼 #dietitian #cpg #mediadietitian #poppi #drinkpoppi

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