Amanda Lee Smith talks to some of the world’s best marketers to hear their path into marketing, and the story behind one career-defining campaign—their first global spot, a major rebrand, a video that went viral, or maybe something that just changed the way people saw their brand.
Women’s apparel brand Athleta has totally flipped the model of athlete sponsorship on its head—breaking all the usual rules. Their roster includes true icons: Simone Byles, Alicia Keyes and Allyson Felix. Seasoned marketer Michelle Lazar helped bring these partnerships to life across the brand’s many touchpoints, and she shares with us how they happened, what made them work, and the lucky breaks that turned into major cultural moments.
Liv is arguably the leader in the world of women’s cycling, and for the last three years they’ve made a huge splash by sponsoring the industry’s biggest event: the Tour de France Femmes. Liv’s Global Brand Manager, Cassondra Spring, tells us how they do it, what they get out of it, and how they turn that kinetic energy of on-the-ground event marketing into a lasting relationship.
Match-making is a one-to-one business, and for Talia Goldstein, Founder + President of Three Day Rule Matchmaking, growing her own business required that same personal touch. She explains how brands can fuel the fire of word-of-mouth and create a playbook for PR to seize those lucky media breaks when they happen.
Amanda loves exploring and sharing new ideas. She designed and teaches a course at the University of British Columbia and regularly speaks on panels, podcasts, and stages—including SXSW and the Sustainable Fashion Forum. Beyond branding and marketing, she particularly likes to explore ideas in innovation, circularity and regenerative capitalism.
Amanda Lee Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Monday—a branding and creative agency in Vancouver. With clients including Adidas, Arc’teryx, lululemon, and Allbirds, Monday builds brands that enhance human potential and help us form deeper connections with each other and nature.