Jimmy John’s Names New Chief Marketing Officer

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This week in marketing leadership moves, Jimmy John’s, Arby’s and AccuWeather name CMOs, Showtime Networks hires two new key marketers and more.

Jimmy John’s Selects Darin Dugan As CMO

Inspire Brands announced that sandwich chain Jimmy John’s has hired Darin Dugan as chief marketing officer. 

Dugan previously served as VP of marketing at SONIC Drive-In, which is also part of the Inspire Brands portfolio (including Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco).

According to the announcement, Dugan will be in charge of overseeing “brand marketing and planning, menu and new product development, advertising and digital–which includes media, as well as its loyalty and CRM programs.”

Michelle Harmon-Madsen Tapped By AccuWeather For CMO Role

AccuWeather has reprised the position of chief marketing officer after doing away with it one year prior, reports Adweek. Michelle Harmon-Madsen has been selected for the position and will be working on opening up new brand partnership opportunities for the weather-based media company.

Harmon-Madsen most recently served as president of ShopperX Lab, and prior to that was SVP of brand partnerships at FreshDirect.

Christopher Catchpoole Appointed To CMO At Compare The Market

CMO reports that Christopher Catchpoole has been made the permanent chief marketing officer for Compare The Market. He has been serving as CMO in an acting capacity after the departure of chief marketer Jenny Williams in 2019.

Catchpoole has been with Compare The Market since 2017, when he served as GM of digital.

Ex-TruTV & Netflix Marketers Joins Showtime Networks

Showtime Networks has hired former TruTV marketer Puja Vohra to serve as EVP of marketing and strategy for the network, which includes channels Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix. 

Adweek reports that Showtime Networks also tapped Garrett Wagner, former director of global creative marketing at Netflix, as SVP, ECD.

Both roles will report to Michael Engleman, CMO of Showtime Networks. Engleman joined last July.

Nicole Sparshott Named Unilever’s Australia, New Zealand Chief

CMO reports that Nicole Sparshott, CEO of Unilever-owned T2, has a new position as Unilever’s new chief for Australia and New Zealand. She previously held positions at Procter & Gamble and The Coca-Cola Company.

Marco’s Pizza Promotes CMO To Chief Experience Officer

Pizza Marketplace reports that pizza brand Marco’s has promoted its former VP and chief marketing officer. Steve Seyferth, who’s background includes more than 30 years of experience at brands including Domino’s, General Mills, Kraft, Coors, Gatorade and Ford Motor Company.

His new position at Marco’s Pizza is SVP and chief experience officer.

Arby’s Names New CMO

Arby’s announced the appointment of Patrick Schwing as chief marketing officer today.

Patrick’s past roles include 16 years of marketing experience from Procter & Gamble. Arby’s president Jim Taylor noted that the brand is “excited to have [Schwing] take the reins as CMO. His extensive experience in brand building, innovation, digital marketing and organizational leadership will be integral in leading Arby’s to its next phase of growth.”

Editor’s Note: Our weekly careers post is updated daily. This installment is updated until Friday, March 6. Have a new hire tip? We’re looking for senior executive role changes in marketing and media. Let us know at editorial@alistdaily.com.

Job Vacancies 

VP Of Marketing OperationsCalifia FarmsLos Angeles, CA
Head Of Media, Digital Marketing And CommunityCalibraMenlo Park, CA
SVP, Integrated MarketingZillow GroupPasadena, CA
Head Of MarketingAspyr Media, Inc.  Austin, TX
Chief Marketing OfficerNPRWashington D.C.

Make sure to check out select job vacancies on our Careers page.

How XR Can Enhance The World We Live In

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This week we take a look at how XR technology is shaping the future. Current events cannot be ignored, but how can we look to technology to help support us in these days of uncertainty?

Read on to explore how XR can help solve current problems (looking at you COVID-19) and solve current business and cultural strains through technological solutions.

VR And AR Can Solve Current Event And Conference Participation

What’s happening: From the Game Developers Conference to Tokyo’s Cherry Blossom Festival, we’re seeing events get canceled due to coronavirus concerns, and rightfully so. XR could be the solution to these unfortunate circumstances. 

Why it matters: Imagine a world where conferences and events have a virtual component allowing anyone under any circumstance to participate and join events from anywhere in the world. 

While the challenges and barriers to this solution are present, the opportunity to look to AR and VR technology to solve problems such as this and make the world more connected already exists today.

The Future Is XR

What’s happening: We’ve covered many XR applications in our short time on AList with a specific focus on AR/VR solutions. However, this article is a great reminder of what can be done in the XR space. This article explores the opportunities and many ways that companies can begin looking at the future of technology.

Why it matters: From entertainment and gaming to medical applications and inmate rehabilitation, VR is reshaping the world we live in and opening new doors providing ways for the public and businesses to experiment and explore the world, giving pause to consider how you can leverage these new avenues to tailor content for your customers in a new and engaging way.

KIND Supports Equal Legal Rights Via Bot

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Timed for International Women’s Day, KIND is launching a bot that lets Americans text their support for the Equal Right Amendment’s (ERA) adoption to state seniors. In its press release, KIND cited public poll results that show 80 percent Americans mistakenly believe that women and men have equal rights. 

Complementing the EQUALITY Bot is a new limited-edition KIND EQUALITY bar that supports gender equality and features colors of the women’s suffrage movement—white, purple and gold. KIND will sell the bar exclusively on its website starting March 3 through the end of the month, while supplies last.

A minimum of $10,000 of the proceeds from the bar will go to the Alice Paul Institute (API), a nonprofit organization advancing gender equality though public education on the ERA and leadership development for young girls.

The EQUALITY Bot, which KIND created with Resistbot, a free service that streamlines communication between Americans and elected state officials via text messages, is meant to bring attention to the brand’s collective petition to increase the likelihood that the ERA will enter the US Constitution. To sign it, American can text “Pass the ERA” to 50409 through the month of March.

KIND is also donating $1 to API and up to $20,000 when anyone publicly shares their petition signature on Twitter and tags @KINDSnacks, by March 31.
A Women’s Day-themed push for equal legal rights aligns with KIND’s brand purpose, which is rooted in acts of altruism. In summer 2019, KIND launched a multi-channel campaign called “Be Kind to Yourself” with a new brand platform that spotlights how people make compromises when it comes to making healthy choices amid busy schedules. Creative included a 30-second spot that calls out Clif’s use of brown rice syrup and ran on television, social and digital. The video amassed nearly 13 million views since it was posted on the brand’s YouTube in June.

Hinge Will Shell Out Up To $25,000 To Users Who Go On Dates

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The dating app “designed to be deleted,” better known as Hinge, is giving away $100 Visa gift cards to members who stay off the app for 24 hours to go on a date.

For National Day of Unplugging on March 6, Hinge will award people in the US who pause their accounts for 24 hours from 4 p.m. ET March 6 to 4 p.m. ET March 7, and go on a Hinge date. Users must prove that they actually went on the date by filling out a “We Met” survey on a microsite unplugwithhinge.com that asks for their email and a brief description of the date. 

Hinge is giving 250 users the chance to claim a gift card, on a first-come, first-serve basis, which means the brand is willing to shell out up to $25,000.

The activation is based on a brand survey in which 80 percent of Hinge members said they’d benefit from less screen time, up from 77 percent in 2019.

Hinge took a similar approach for National Day of Unplugging last year when it offered free drinks at four cocktail bars across the country for a one-day event. Those who deactivated the “Discover” feature of their app were invited to one of four bars owned by Freehand Hotel Group in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami. Hinge gave each attendees tickets for two free drinks. Those who didn’t live in one of the four areas were encouraged to enter the brand’s “dream date” sweepstakes, valued up to $1,000.

Hinge’s campaign is another example of how brands are leveraging promotional giveaways to personalize user experiences and boost brand awareness. In summer 2019, L.L. Bean partnered with Uber to give US consumers $15 Uber vouchers in hopes they’d visit the brand’s outdoor campsite pop-up. Also last year, CBD seller brand Recess sent $3 to users’ Venmo accounts who mentioned the brand on Instagram between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

In February 2019, Match Group acquired Hinge, adding to its portfolio of dating apps OkCupid, Tinder and Plenty of Fish. Since the acquisition, the company has increased its investment in Hinge to position it as the app for those who want to be in a serious relationship. Hinge downloads grew four times on a year-over-year basis in Q4 2018 and by 10 times in the UK, TechCrunch reported. Hinge’s top markets are New York and London.

According to Sensor Tower, Hinge has been downloaded 500,000 times worldwide in January 2020 and to date a total of 4.2 million times in the US and 5.5 million times worldwide.

Brand, Rebrand And Simplicity With Margaret Molloy Of Siegel+Gale

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During this 197th episode of “Marketing Today,” I interview Margaret Molloy, the global chief marketing officer and head of business development at Siegel+Gale.  She has over twenty-five years of experience as a marketing executive. 

We discuss Molloy’s background and what led her to role at Siegel+Gale. Then we have a wide-ranging discussion about rebranding and the potential benefits of a rebrand, as well as the value of brand simplicity.

Molloy explains when a company should consider a rebrand. She says that when you choose to rebrand, “It should signal a strategic change, not just a cosmetic one.” 

Then she shares some of Siegel+Gale’s philosophy when she reflects, “When simplicity is done well, it brings productivity instead of paralysis. It brings confidence instead of confusion. And ultimately, customer trust instead of angst.” 

Molloy also provides a valuable perspective on why brand matters to B2B now more than ever. Her insights into marketing trends and the surging emphasis on customer experience round out this riveting conversation.

Highlights from this week’s “Marketing Today”:

  • Margaret describes what it’s like for her to raise two teenage boys in New York City. (01:38) 
  • Learn about Margaret’s career path and how she ended up at Siegel+Gale. (02:58) 
  • Margaret advises listeners on when a company should consider a rebrand.  (06:09)
  • Hear Margaret’s take on the potential ROI of rebranding. (09:44) 
  • Margaret outlines the pitfalls dictating the failure and success of a rebrand. (12:44) 
  • How Siegel+Gale thinks about branding and the part simplicity plays in their philosophy. (14:06) 
  • Siegel+Gale’s work with B2B. (17:27)  
  • The current state of brand and B2B. (18:21)
  • Margaret provides highlights from her research on the world’s simplest brands and shares her findings of how simplicity pays off for businesses. (25:53)  
  • Margaret compares RyanAir and Southwest. (30:24)  
  • What are the priorities Margaret is seeing from her clients in early 2020? (32:08) 
  • Learn about one of Margaret’s personal projects, #wearingirish. (36:52) 
  • Is there an experience in her past that defines who she is today? (39:28) 
  • Are there any brands, companies, or causes that Margaret follows that she thinks other people should take notice of? (41:48)
  • As a marketer, what does she feel is the biggest opportunity or threat that is facing marketers? (44:34)

Resources Mentioned:

Subscribe the podcast:
Listen in iTunes (link: http://apple.co/2dbdAhV)
Listen in Google Podcasts (link: http://bit.ly/2Rc2kVa)
Listen in Spotify (Link: http://spoti.fi/2mCUGnC )

Connect with the Guest:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretmolloy
https://twitter.com/MargaretMolloy
https://twitter.com/SiegelGale

Connect with Marketing Today and Alan Hart:
http://twitter.com/abhart
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanhart
http://twitter.com/themktgtoday
https://www.facebook.com/themktgtoday/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-today-with-alan-hart/

Alan B. Hart is the creator and host of “Marketing Today with Alan Hart,” a weekly podcast where he interviews leading global marketing professionals and business leaders. Alan advises leading executives and marketing teams on opportunities around brand, customer experience, innovation and growth. He has consulted with Fortune 100 companies, but he is an entrepreneur at his core, having founded or served as an executive for nine startups.

Navigating Through The Weeds Of CBD And Cannabis Advertising

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Originally published at AW360 by Gary Kibel, Esq. and Rohini Gokhale, Esq.

The cannabis industry is booming in the United States, and marketers are anxious to get in on the action. However, uncertainty over the conflicts between federal and state law and the complex regulatory landscape makes it challenging for advertisers, brands, publishers, agencies and others in the media ecosystem to navigate the terrain. While marijuana remains illegal in the United States at the federal level, the legalization of marijuana in some form in 33 states and the descheduling of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill have led to a proliferation of legal marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) products. However, the patchwork of state laws regulating legal marijuana products and federal rules covering CBD has led to complications for companies attempting to take advantage of this burgeoning market.

The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) categorizes marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which is the most tightly restricted category, reserved for drugs that have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” As a Schedule I drug, the use, possession, manufacture, importation or distribution of marijuana is federally illegal in the United States. Despite marijuana being scheduled in the same category as LSD, heroin, ecstasy and peyote, the federal government’s approach to marijuana production, possession and use are comparatively relaxed.

A federal budget rider known as the Joyce Amendment, which has been extended through September 2020, prohibits the use of funds allocated to the Department of Justice for purposes of preventing states from “implementing their state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana.” In essence, this Amendment means that federal enforcement of the CSA in connection with medical marijuana is unlikely in states where medical (not recreational) marijuana is legal.

Additionally, in late 2018, Congress removed hemp from the list of controlled substances regulated under the Controlled Substances Act, effectively legalizing CBD derived from hemp, which is cannabis with less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). However, the Federal Trade Commission and Food and Drug Administration issued numerous joint warning letters to CBD manufacturers, reinforcing the critical point that, just because the product is newly legalized does not mean that advertising for products can contain unsubstantiated or deceptive claims about its benefits or medicinal properties. Additionally, though the use of CBD in foods, beverages and dietary supplements remains illegal, the FDA indicated it is open to issuing regulations to allow the use of CBD in such products, depending on the information it receives from the industry.

Despite the expanding opportunities, publishers and agencies who work with cannabis brands have learned that the use of traditional payment systems can be challenging, as many banks refuse to work with businesses whose products are illegal on the federal level. The federal SAFE Banking Act is expected to go to the U.S. Senate for a vote in 2020. If passed, it would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are currently forced to generally work in cash, which, in turn, often requires companies working with cannabis businesses to accept cash payments. The passage of the SAFE Banking Act would allow cannabis businesses to operate like non-cannabis businesses and pay vendors by wire transfer, credit cards and other traditional payment methods.

Despite the federal government’s approach to marijuana and CBD, states take a wide array of approaches to marijuana and hemp production and use. Certain states have legalized marijuana broadly–for recreational and medicinal use. Other states have only legalized marijuana use for medicinal purposes, and sometimes only for certain types of medical conditions. Other states have legalized CBD only, generally mirroring the 2018 Farm Bill’s categorization of hemp-based CBD. In some states, marijuana use is not legal but decriminalized, decreasing the potential liability for use, possession and production, leaving the possibility of civil liability nonetheless. Lastly, some states have not addressed these topics at all, meaning marijuana and/or CBD is fully illegal.

In 2020, it is expected that over ten states will attempt to legalize or expand the legalization of cannabis for adult use, which will further complicate the patchwork of relevant laws. In addition, existing state regulations will evolve further, as the three last holdout states are likely to legalize CBD, and several others will issue statutorily required regulations governing its production, sale and advertising. At the federal level, Congress is not expected to take any meaningful efforts to introduce legislation that would create a harmonized set of rules for the industry this year, so companies will have to continue adapting to rapidly changing state regulations.

In the meantime, members of the advertising industry who work in this field must learn to carefully navigate the myriad state laws, inherent conflicting laws and industry best practices.

On Wednesday, March 18, Davis & Gilbert attorneys Gary Kibel and Rohini Gokhale will explore the nuances, changes in policies and limitations in cannabis and CBD advertising with Eric Meth, the founder and CEO of Good Harvest Co., a cannabis audience data company. To RSVP to the next Counsel 2U: Marketing and Advertising seminar, “Guiding You through the Weeds: Hot Topics in CBD and Cannabis Advertising,” simply click here.

Brands Celebrate International Women’s Day Through Video And Fashion

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March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD) and brands are voicing their support for the event loud and clear through pay-it-forward activations and limited-edition collections highlighting this year’s #EachforEqual theme, which is rooted in the belief that each of us can help create a gender-equal world.

Here are some of our favorites.

Net-a-Porter Enlists Designers To Internet Women’s Empowerment Via Graphic Tees

According to WWD, Net-a-Porter is launching 20 exclusive T-shirts in honor of IWD, created by 20 brands and designers including Stella McCartney, Charlotte Tilbury, Isabel Marant, Jimmy Choo and others. Each T-shirt features designers’ personal interpretations of women’s empowerment and strength. Jimmy Choo’s shirt says, “Choos” women while McCartney’s embraces women joining forces to support saving the earth. T-shirts range from $52-$295.

Ugg Launches #POWEREDBYHER Campaign, Video Series

Ugg is launching a new global campaign with #HERproject called #POWEREDBYHER in support of women in the workplace. The brand created a video series starring artist Claire Tabouret and three-star Michelin chef Dominique Crenn, in which the women are wearing Ugg’s Fluff Yeah sheepskin sandal and LA Cloud Low sneaker while discussing their definition of success and the challenges they faced. On March 5, Ugg is set to host a panel discussion at the brand’s San Francisco store with its president Andrea O’Donnell, Tabouret, Crenn, Zoe Latta and Eckhaus Lotta, moderated by Harper’s Bazaar. 

The North Face Creates T-Shirts Created And Marketed By All-Female Team

The North Face called on an all-female team to design, manufacture and market its latest range featuring limited-edition T-shirts and tote bags in IWD colors of green, purple and white. The line will be the first-ever to be created at Jerash Garment Factory, an all-female factory in Jordan founded by Oryana Awaisheh that has provided over 500 jobs for women and families.

Banana Republic Creates Video Series Featuring Boundary Breakers 

Banana Republic released a multi-channel campaign called “WORK WHERE?” that includes a montage of videos and images showing boundary breakers to reflect the changing landscape of modern work. On Instagram Banana Republic will give away products that feature phrases from Chinaka Hodge’s spoken-word piece. In addition, the brand is donating $100,000 to the CARE non-profit, which works to fight poverty and advance women and girls worldwide.

Reebok Revives “It’s A Man’s World” Sneaker Collection

This year, Reebok is bringing back its “It’s A Man’s World” collection, which debuted last year and is inspired by the brand’s throwback “It’s A Woman’s World” ad campaign from 2001. The collection includes five of the brand’s sneaker styles for sale featuring the words “It’s A Man’s World” in bold letters with a strikethrough. The brand also launched five limited-edition T-shirts in the same vein.

Shapermint Adds Equal Sign To Signature Logo

Shapermint is transforming the pink squiggly lines in its signature logo to an equal sign to express its support of this year’s IWD theme. From March 4-9, the brand’s site and social media platforms will feature the new logo and mark. Shapermint will also run a campaign across social and its owned channels celebrating women across generations and backgrounds striking an equal sign pose using their forearms.

Old Navy, Gap Launch Limited-Edition Shirts

Old Navy has launching graphic T-shirts that say “she” on them in stores and online. It will also make a donation on behalf of six female employees who the company is recognizing through its International Women’s (Every) Day campaign for inspiring their communities.

Gap will also debut GapFit Breathe tops designed by Rebecca Alexander and Hannah Corderman.

Pandora, UNICEF Create Charm For Change

Jewelry brand Pandora and UNICEF partnered to create sterling silver charms called Charm for Change, available in-store starting March 5, with £12 from every sale going directly to UNICEF. Together with BBC Radio 1, Pandora is also hosting a concert in London on March 5 to celebrate empowering female songs from throughout the years.

Foreo Pays Good Skin Forward

Foreo is asking women in the UK to pay it forward for an activation that involves Foreo gifting its skin device to every person who receives a nomination from a friend or family. Participants must nominate a woman who had a major impact on their life. In return, Foreo will give the nominee a LUNA mini 2 device.