Understanding buyer behavior and cultivating the habits that we desire of buyers has long been the bedrock of marketing and an outcome of successful brand building in both B2B and B2C business models. But what happens when a global pandemic wreaks havoc with all facets of life, from work to lifestyle? How do buyer habits change? Which ones will revert pre-pandemic? And perhaps more importantly, which new habits will persist?

Margaret Molloy

December 2020

On Thursday, October 29th, I explored the issues of sustainability with five marketing leaders from around the world. We discussed why projecting a brand’s societal goals is just as critical as marketing its products, the opportunity for business leaders to come together, share knowledge and collaborate for the greater good and the incredible role marketing play in balancing science with storytelling.

Margaret Molloy

October 2020

On Wednesday, October 21st, I led a panel to learn about resilience through five very different brands' experiences. From B2B to B2C, from aspirational to essential, these brands have confronted grueling trials, including economic upheaval, world wars and now, a global pandemic. But these agile marketers are braving the COVID-19 era by keeping one eye fixed on the past and another focused firmly on the future.

Margaret Molloy

October 2020

On Wednesday, September 23rd, I led a conversation with five global marketing leaders to explore brand building and brand partnerships in the COVID-19 era. Our conversation touched on how the pandemic has reinforced the criticality of connection, the value of open and honest communication amongst partners and what happens when businesses and communities unite for a common goal. In closing, I asked our panelists: What are the most important factors in successful brand partnerships, and what is your commitment to building successful partnerships for your brand? Here’s what they had to say.

Margaret Molloy

September 2020

On Wednesday, September 9th, I spoke with five marketing leaders from venture-backed and digital-first companies to explore the interrelationships across brand building, innovation, growth and scaling. Our conversation traversed how each brand approached innovation, industries that unexpectedly benefited from the crisis and the advantages of being born in the digital world. However, at the heart of the panelists’ stories and perspectives was the remarkable power of brand and its unparalleled ability to differentiate.

Margaret Molloy

September 2020

Our Future of Branding series returned for its second season on Wednesday, August 26. One of the most inspiring episodes of our first season featured a conversation with six Gen Z kids of leading global marketing executives. As the world focuses on back to school, our second season premiered with a brand new Gen Z edition.

Margaret Molloy

August 2020

Since April, our Future of Branding discussions have focused on how brands were responding to the pandemic. However, in recent weeks, as countries, states and cities start to reopen, our focus has transitioned to how brands are resetting to propel business continuity and, in many cases, transformation. Today's conversation explored themes such as marrying purpose and action, how crisis is pushing marketing back to its basics and the rise of empathy and authenticity, especially for Gen Z and younger Millennials consumers, who ask why before asking, how much? One thing is sure. Brand building is no longer about words and pictures—it's about deeds and experiences.

Margaret Molloy

July 2020