Show Notes:
In this episode of the Beyond Beauty podcast, Anne interviews Kristen about her unconventional career path in the creative industry, blending business acumen with artistic expression. Kristen shares her experiences from starting in photography to exploring various roles, including journalism and licensing. She emphasizes the importance of passion, resilience in the face of failure, and understanding market trends. Kristen also discusses her work in partnerships and licensing, the impact of these in different sectors, and her role as a professor teaching marketing and design. She offers career advice, advocating for networking, being open to different paths, and finding a balance between creativity and structure.
About Kristen Zimmer:
A brand innovator and industry expert with 20+ years of experience. Zimmer is known for successfully spearheading brand licensing, collaborations, partnerships, cross-channel campaigns and marketing programs for top companies/brands across multiple industries. Focusing on innovation, trend and brand connection, she creates programs that extend and elevate the consumer experience. From beauty to fashion to toy to CPG, the goal is to curate authentically unique moments, integrating brand touchpoints throughout lifestyles.
Timestamps
Kristen's Creative Journey (00:00:22)
Kristen discusses her family background, her early interest in photography, and the pursuit of a less traditional career.
Transition into Licensing (00:02:23)
Kristen's transition from journalism to publicist and her fortuitous entry into licensing.
Dealing with Failures (00:04:51)
Kristen shares her understanding of success and failure, and the pressure she puts on herself.
Understanding Success (00:08:20)
Kristen and Anne discuss the skewed matrices of success and the importance of controlling expectations.
Partnerships and Licensing Impact (00:11:56)
Kristen explains the impact of partnerships and licensing in various industries and their importance today.
Educating on Licensing (00:13:14)
Kristen discusses the impact of educating on licensing and the opportunities it opens up.
Building Authentic Relationships (00:15:12)
The importance of building authentic relationships in the world of partnerships, licensing, and collaborations.
Teaching Marketing (00:17:18)
Kristen shares her approach to teaching marketing and the need to convey the ever-evolving nature of the industry.
Photography and Awareness (00:20:50)
Kristen discusses her approach to photography and the constant awareness she maintains, observing everything around her for inspiration.
Erewhon and Brand Credibility (00:22:12)
Kristen shares her experience at Erewhon and explains how the store's merchandising and product placement contribute to brand credibility.
Dream Job and Impactful Moments (00:30:10)
Kristen reflects on the rewarding aspects of her career, including creating impactful moments and seeing others succeed in the industry.
Retail Challenges and Innovation (00:33:54)
Kristen discusses the challenges in retail and the need for innovation and creativity to navigate the competitive market.
Career Advice for Creatives (00:37:14)
Kristen offers advice to young creatives, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, exploration, and being open to opportunities.
Authentic Career Path (00:39:53)
Kristen shares her organic career path, highlighting the value of exploration and finding genuine passion and impact in her work.
Career Story and Advice (00:42:10)
Kristen shares her non-traditional career journey and valuable career advice.
Online Presence (00:42:31)
Kristen directs listeners to her LinkedIn profile and briefly mentions her Instagram and website.
Closing Remarks (00:43:11)
Anne expresses gratitude, thanks Kristen for joining the podcast, and wishes her well.
This podcast is produced by the team at Dillie: a marketing agency with a niche focus on beauty and personal care brands
https://dilliecreative.com/
