Lindsey Naber

Just finished “Chasing Four,” by Gene McCarthy. I was fortunate to work with Gene at both Timberland and Under Armour earlier in my career and I enjoyed reliving those chapters of my life through reading this book. If you have an interest in sports, business, brand development, motivation, or leadership I highly recommend this entertaining book!

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The charts overfloweth. For the bike market I hope overall retail spending continues to grow. Strong demand through 2024 will be really healthy for the market. If it is going to slow, I hope it is a gradual slowdown and not something sharp driven by external factors. Some standouts for me: Ecommerce sales growth continues to wildly outpace overall retail and now makes up 17% of total retail sales. Used car market is showing growth in large part driven by falling prices. Our data shows something similar for the mountain bike category. Multi-year trend in home improvement, garden, sporting goods, and electronics has parallels to bikes. Some of the speculation about what's driving spending (job market, immigration, investment returns) are interesting.

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Exciting news! Path to Purchase Institute just published my latest article on Impulse Shopping. At Provoke Insights, we surveyed 1,500 individuals across the US to uncover who's most prone to impulse buying and which industries are most susceptible to impulse shopping. Our findings reveal crucial strategies for marketers. Big thanks to Melissa Conforto for her hard work on this project! #ImpulseShopping #MarketingInsights #marketresearch https://lnkd.in/e5DV3MUx

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THIS is where things are happening and getting done! DICK'S Sporting Goods is elevating the consumer experience and expectations of a sporting goods store. If you have the opportunity to visit a Dick’s House of Sport, do it! You can get your Boost Oxygen there in-store, too. Pinstripes Media #dickssportinggoods #dsglife #dsgproud #pinstripesmedia #makingthingshappengettingthingsdonesince2004

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I expect that the entrepreneurial landscape for bike shops will increasingly feature mixed format retailers. Bike retail will certainly take many forms moving forward, but shops like this go a long way to reinforce the unique place that bike shops play in a neighborhood retail environment.

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Marketing Pro Tip: Visualize the benefit. Always fun to sit down with Paul Chambers and good folks at SubSummit to brainstorm ideas that get brands growing. Here are a few big ideas for Kroger or any other retailer looking to communicate brand value.

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Interesting article that caught my eye yesterday. The tide has been shifting for years in the core four sports categories but it beginning to evolve to rising sports properties like surfing, endurance sports, and motorsports. Some brands put their emphasis on mass market reach by dedicating their budgets for tier 1 talent but without the authenticity exchange - how can consumers really buy in? Rare exceptions exist but the assets that go beyond photo shoots, social endorsements, and big contracts are becoming the norm and all parties are benefiting from it. As a brand, truly ask your team “why” when onboarding new ambassadors, athletes, or influencers. It matters. Athelo Group #sportsmarketing #athletemanagement https://lnkd.in/et2gc9Xb

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"FB mikestoneallstateagency IG mikestoneagency LI mikestone4336 🚨You're being USED. 🚨 Let me break it down for you: advertising is powerful because it taps into our subconscious. Mountain Dew doesn’t spend $7 million on a Super Bowl ad to make a quick sale the next day—they’re embedding their brand in your mind. So when you’re standing at the gas station, staring at the drink cooler, your brain says, “Oh yeah, Mountain Dew!” That’s not an accident—that’s intentional branding. This isn’t just for billion-dollar companies. As agents, small business owners, or entrepreneurs, the same principles apply. You’re not just selling today; you’re building trust and familiarity for when your audience is ready to buy. Social media is your Super Bowl ad—it’s your chance to be top of mind. Post consistently, engage authentically, and show up in your audience’s feed so when they’re ready to make a decision, your name is the first that comes to mind. It’s not about being pushy; it’s about staying present. Want to learn more about how to master the art of branding and make advertising work for you? Check out this episode of The Sales Factory podcast with Mike Stone where we dive into the strategies that keep your business thriving. 🔗 Do the smart thing - watch now at https://lnkd.in/eJdMpbQ3 #TheSalesFactory #Podcast #MikeStone #MountainDew #SuperBowl #AdvertisingTips #CoachCarroll #BrandBuilding #MarketingTips #TopOfMindAwareness #SmallBusinessSuccess"

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Grocery chain Hy-Vee inks deal with Grocery TV to sell in-store ads through The Trade Desk (Adweek): By Kathryn Lundstrom. Advertisers can buy in-store inventory programmatically. The grocery chain has partnered with Grocery TV, an Austin, Texas-based company that has built out a network of digital screens across more than 5,000 retail stores across the U.S. The deal allows Hy-Vee to plug its in-store digital screens into that network. Advertisers will be […] #DOOH #digitalbillboards #digitalsignage

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"Confidence, Creativity, and Golf Shoes: Oakley's Masterclass in Brand Differentiation" Ever wonder why some brands effortlessly dominate their industries while others fade into obscurity? At Nemo Design, we think about this daily, and Oakley's new Edge Icon golf shoe is a perfect case study in game-changing strategy. I am excited to see Oakley taking a play from Jim Jannard's innovative leadership style and constant pursuit of excellence and originality. Nemo didn’t work on this so it’s not a plug for the shop. Let's break down how the Oakley Edge Icon golf footwear embodies the five laws of extraordinary brands: 1. Give Value, Get Value: The Edge Icon isn't just a shoe; it's a conversation starter, a performance enhancer, and a fashion statement rolled into one. By delivering unique value to golfers who crave distinction, Oakley's poised for a profitable victory. 2. Confidence Trumps Cleverness: This isn't a shoe that whispers—it roars. Oakley's confidence in challenging golf fashion norms speaks volumes, inspiring customers to step out of their comfort zones too. 3. Differentiate, Don't Compete: Instead of battling in the crowded space of traditional golf footwear, Oakley created its own playing field. The Edge Icon doesn't compete; it stands alone. 4. Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Oakley didn't just talk about innovation; they brought it to life. The Edge Icon's design and functionality are a physical manifestation of the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries. It feels like something Oakley would create. 5. Embrace the Fun Factor: Let's face it—these shoes are fun! They inject comfort and personality into a sport often perceived as staid. Oakley reminds us that effective strategies can (and should) be pleasurable. As brand strategists, we're fans of brands pushing innovation. Oakley core value is to "ignite the imagination through the fusion of art and science". The Edge Icon isn't just a product launch; it's a masterclass in brand differentiation and strategic thinking. The true test, will the market reward the effort? So, here's my challenge: How can you apply these principles to your brand or career? Are you giving unique value? Are your actions aligned with your strategy? Are you differentiating or just competing? And most importantly, are you having fun with it? Share your thoughts below. Let's start a conversation about how we can all bring a bit of that Oakley boldness into our strategic playbooks. #StrategicBranding #InnovationInAction #DaretoDifferentiate #BrandConfidence #oakleygolf

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Flashback Friday. 1998. A relic of the shopper marketing past. Check out this BJ's Wholesale Club mail in rebate from 26 years ago that I stumbled upon at my Dad's house. What did a shopper have to do to earn their $4 ($7.66 today with inflation)? 1. Purchase a 4 pack 10 gallon tote set at BJ's between 3/1/98-6/30/98. 2. Bring home the original receipt and rebate certificate. 3. Take the UPC off the package and legibly fill out the rebate certificate 4. Mail the original receipt, UPC and receipt certificate within 2 weeks of purchase date. 5. Wait 8-10 weeks for rebate processing and delivery. Wow. There certainly was some friction in that process. We can thank technology innovation for the simplification of the process to deliver value back to today's shopper. While a lot has changed since 1998 this is a good reminder of the power of timeless sales promotion driving tactics like this as well as the need to constantly innovate to simplify the path to purchase for shoppers.

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The most successful social media post I have ever been part of started with these words: "We hear you." The key to the success? Leading with empathy. A while back, a client of ours at Smoketown, LLC got wrapped up in a rumor that was fueled by misinformation. This rumor turned into potent controversy on social media and our client was widely accused of walking away from their core values. No part of these rumors were true, and, to be honest, they were quite absurd. A natural reaction would have been to be judgmental: how could these folks fall for such a ridiculous story? But that reaction, while natural, would have been the wrong one. In the midst of a firestorm, it is powerful to slow down, summon more empathy, and figure out the underlying reason for the drama. Once we did that, the frame changed. We read the radioactive social media comments. A pattern emerged: the brand's fans were having a hard time trusting institutions, including us. It was almost as if they were just waiting for the trust to be broken. So we tried to level with them: "We hear you." At the end of the day, no matter how value-driven and transparent a brand is, they are still a business. And to consumers, this means there is always the potential for their trust to be broken. That's why brands with a real commitment to their values, which was the case for this client, need to make empathy a core competency. From the outside, the social media post could have seemed simple, almost trite. But the reaction was exactly what we hoped: Thousands of positive engagements. More shares than any post in the company's history. Consumers appreciated being heard. With empathy, everyone won. #empathy #brandcommunication #brandvoice #marketing #brandvalues

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It's January 2nd. The holiday glow is fading. Reality is setting in. Good. After two decades building brands, here's what I know: Real growth doesn't start with resolutions. It starts with this moment - when the work begins. Don't let perfect plans paralyze you. Start small: - One system improved - One decision made - One step forward The best brands aren't built on January 1st dreams. They're built on January 2nd action. What's your first step? #BrandBuilding #ActionOverPerfection #2025Goals

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Nike is missing out on millions a year with this listing on Amazon This product makes over $ 400,000/month and is still leaving money on the table. The keyword copy is terrible, they are getting sales from their brand recognition. If Nike added “Ankle socks” into this listings title they would see a boost in performance and revenue How do i know this? I compared all of the relevant competitors in this sock niche against each other and found all the relevant keywords that are driving sales in the market. Nike is not fully leveraging keyword optimization strategies. But most brands don’t do this, missing out on potential revenue. Analyze all relevant competitors in your niche to find all relevant keywords that are driving sales in your market

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Content had a major shift, and brands are trying to catch up (including us). 🙃 I talked about this on the pod with Landon Wade, the evolving content world is back and one thing is clear: creator content or lower production content is becoming increasingly powerful. 💪 It’s more authentic, engaging, and frankly, what we're all used to seeing on social. We know there's still a place for polished, branded work (we have some coming out soon) but we also know we need to get better at embracing the authentic, engaging style creators bring and the magic we can make from "Shot on iPhone". We're learning and adapting as we go, working towards finding the sweet spot that really connects with people.

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"How do we elevate our white-glove service to a level yet unseen in the promotional products industry?" Over the past year, we've focused on taking proactive service to the next level—anticipating needs, not reacting to them. Instead of waiting for our clients to reorder branded merchandise for their events, we track their usage patterns. We know when they'll run low on customized products, and we replenish their stock without them needing to ask. When a client is planning a major event, we step in with personalized product recommendations tailored to their audience and theme. We leverage our proprietary software to monitor customer preferences and event cycles, ensuring they always have the right items at the right time. No back-and-forth, no rush orders, just a seamless experience that removes stress from the process. Being so in tune with our customers' needs that we deliver before they have to ask - that's the level of service that turns satisfaction into long-term loyalty. How do you implement proactivity into customer service?

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From AI to Gen Z and much more – check out these trade show & events insights from the Experiential Marketing Summit. Which one of the 12 matters most to you right now? Which ones surprised you? #tradeshows #tradeshowmarketing #eventprofs https://lnkd.in/gD6D5-Nj

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A variety of factors influence the probability of #sponsorship retention. Take a look at this comprehensive, generalizable sponsorship retention model recently published in the #JournalofAdvertisingResearch, available for #theARF members. #predictiveanalytics #advertisingresearch #marketing

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