NewsBytes: What Lululemon Gets, The Beauty of Brand-Mates
1) Though I report on both the ups and downs of the brand, I am, at the core, a Lululemon lover. That’s why it was interesting to read that the yoga apparel retailer’s new CEO is a woman with a Starbucks background. Margaret Brennan’s CNBC interview with both the outgoing male CEO and the incoming, Christine Day, gives some great insight into what makes for a solid retail leader today. Is it because she’s a woman who wears the product, or because she’s had fantastic training in leadership working for one of the most respected brands around? I’m guessing her future success will more likely stem from the latter, but the former can’t hurt. Namaste.
2) Dating sites that connect people based on common interests (dog lovers, sailing, etc.) are nothing new, but there’s a new kid on the block that might really interest marketers, in particular: Brand-Mates. It’s all about putting Barnes and Noble, Banana Republic or Starbucks lovers together to see what bubbles up. Steve Hall at AdRants was one of the first to cover the launch of this new site. Its founder, Jay Jacobs, is a marketing/idea guy who happens to be a stellar story-inspirer and teller. I intend to watch this latest venture of his closely - as I’m already a big fan - and I’ll keep you posted.
