In a lively exchange, Christine Russo, host of What Just Happened, Kristi Argyilan SVP Retail Media Albertsons, and Brian Gleason CRO Criteo discuss the evolution and potential of retail media networks. Kristi, with a background in media strategy and experience at Target and Albertsons, highlights the transformative impact of recognizing the value of retailer-owned assets, particularly first-party data. She emphasizes the shift towards proving outcomes rather than just impressions. Brian, drawing from his diverse career spanning publishing, technology, and agencies, underscores key moments tha ..read more

In a dynamic discussion on the evolving landscape of retail, Liza Amlani and Roz Griner shed light on the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the retail brands. Liza emphasizes the importance of organizational effectiveness and increasing profitability through better go-to-market strategies, assortment planning, and reducing overdevelopment, while Roz pivots towards leveraging social media and content creation for branding and consulting. Both agree that the retail sector is navigating uncharted waters, with traditional retail fundamentals lagging the rapid evolution of consumer prefe ..read more

Possible Miami 2024 https://possibleevent.com/ In a dynamic exchange, Christian Muche, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Ordinary Events and one of the architects behind the event Possible, introduces his venture to host Christine Russo, host and creator of What Just Happened. Launched in Miami, this event was designed to address the contemporary challenges and agendas facing the marketing industry, a multi-billion dollar realm poised for innovation and growth. Muche emphasizes the importance of creating an event that merges technology, marketing, and culture into an immersive experience, diverging ..read more

In this insightful discussion with Joe Corbin, CEO and founder of Jumpmind, Christine Russo explores the evolution of retail technology and its impact on both customer experience (CX) and associate experience (AX). Corbin's extensive background in retail, including his time at Abercrombie & Fitch during its international expansion, informs Jumpmind's approach to addressing the complexities of modern retail operations. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the heyday of brick-and-mortar retail, Corbin emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinct needs of large enterprise merc ..read more

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Brandon Singer, CEO and founder of Retail by Mona, Singer discusses the inception of his company during the pandemic and its unique positioning in the real estate market, particularly in New York City. He highlights the resurgence of retail activity in the city, particularly among luxury brands, and delves into the trend of luxury brands purchasing their real estate rather than leasing, as a long-term investment strategy. The discussion also touches on the evolution of neighborhoods like Meatpacking District, driven by factors such as tourism, o ..read more

In this episode of "What Just Happened," Christine Russo interviews Pano Anthos, the Founder and Managing Director of XRC Ventures. Pano emphasizes the consumer-centric approach of their venture, highlighting their focus on startups at the intersection of consumer behavior and technological advancements. With a team of 12, they support around 140 startups across three funds, prioritizing innovations that directly impact consumers rather than enterprise-focused solutions. Pano discusses the current state of venture capital, noting the apprehension among VCs due to concerns about inflated valua ..read more

Christine Russo hosts Cara Smyth, Global Senior Managing Director ESG, Responsible Retail at Accenture, on "What Just Happened." The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of sustainability terminology, such as ESG, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability itself. Cara highlights the risk of drifting away from profitability and stresses the importance of chasing waste out of the system to enhance efficiency and profitability. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for businesses, especially in the retail sector, to align with changing regulatory landscapes and e ..read more

In this podcast episode, Christine Russo welcomes New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who has been voted the 2023 Staten Island Power 100. Senator Scarcella-Spanton's bill is aimed at making assaults on retail workers a Class D felony. This is for all retail workers; however, at the heart of it, is the small business. The Senator shares the inspiration behind the bill, recounting an incident during her campaign where a deli worker was assaulted during a robbery. She collaborated with a group called C.A.P.S. (Collective Action to Protect Our Stores) to address the increasing conce ..read more

In this interview with Assemblyman John McDonald on "What Just Happened," the focus is on his bill addressing organized retail crime in New York. The bill proposes the creation of a retail organized crime task force, acknowledging the widespread issue of organized retail theft, amounting to $100 billion nationally and $4.4 billion in New York alone. The task force, with a bipartisan composition, aims to bring together various stakeholders, including representatives from the governor's office, Retail Council, Retail and Wholesale Union, and law enforcement, to collaboratively address the proble ..read more

In this conversation between Christine Russo and Giovanni Zaccariello, Giovanni discusses the Coach's approach to physical experiences and emphasizes the importance of localization, adapting formats for different regions, and using modularity to design for longevity. Giovanni provides examples, such as the Tabby pop-ups and the Coach Play stores, where experimentation and testing of new ideas occur. Giovanni elaborates on the Coach Play stores' purpose as testing grounds for new concepts, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and localized experiences and highlights the success of ..read more