Hi {{first_name|there}}!
With under three weeks to go, it’s time to focus.
This issue highlights the speakers shaping the agenda, the sessions that go beyond surface-level themes, and the strategic shifts brands are making in retail, loyalty, and performance.
*As an official partner of The Lead Summit 2025, Unofficially Lead Summit, brought to you by ClickZ, is your go-to source for the insights, strategies, and connections that will define the year ahead.
🎤 Big-Name Sessions to Bookmark
These sessions, led by some of the most influential names in retail and brand strategy, will set the tone for the conversations that matter.
📦 Ricardo Lajoie, Global Chief Merchant, Vans
Session: Separate Business Value from Gimmick for AI Use Cases
May 28, Stage 1, 1:25 PM
A focused discussion on where AI delivers commercial impact and where it distracts. Expect practical clarity over conceptual buzz.
Source: Glossy
🛍️ Kristin Patrick, CMO & CDO, Marc Jacobs
Session: Build Brand DNA to Consistently Stay on Top of Trends and Tap into Cultural Moments
May 28, Stage 2, 9:25 AM
How leading creative teams shape brand relevance in fast-moving cultural cycles. Lessons in structure, strategy, and pace.
💡 Steve Malony, CEO, Belkin
Session: Align Product Innovation and Marketing with Consumer Needs Through Data, Research and Ecosystem Mindset
May 28, Stage 1, 10:10 AM
A breakdown of how Belkin uses data and research to align product decisions with measurable market demand.
🎯 Alexandra Alessi, VP of Brand.com, OLAPLEX
Session: Translate your Brand Repositioning into A High-Performing Digital Experience (Case Study)
May 28, Stage 2, 2:10 PM
A case study in how OLAPLEX activated its brand repositioning through direct digital channels, with performance as the core metric.
📊 Tracy Bay, SVP, Head of Strategy & Ecommerce, J.Crew Group
Session: Run Successful Loyalty Programs with a Nimble Insights-Driven Approach
May 28 · Stage 1 · 4:10 PM
For brands navigating attribution, channel performance, and ROAS, this session complements the kind of full-funnel clarity Fospha is known for.
*ClickZ recently published a brand report on J.Crew’s evolution — a detailed look at how the company found its commercial footing again. → Read the full report.
This ties into something bigger we’ve just launched at ClickZ: #BuildingBrands — an editorial series spotlighting the real stories behind brand reinvention, scrappy pivots, and growth that sticks.
📝 Want to share your journey — or just talk strategy?
Let’s connect!
As we discovered in the last issue, one of the key themes this year is the evolving role of physical retail. It’s now about generating insights and driving performance in measurable ways—something brands are increasingly turning to full-funnel attribution partners like Fospha to support.
🏪 Retail as brand engine
Experience-led formats grew in importance, but what defined the leaders was their ability to tie those experiences back to performance.
👉 73% of consumers say customer experience is a deciding factor when making a purchase.
That’s pushed retailers to rethink how people interact with stores — not just in layout, but as part of a wider omnichannel journey.
Rothy’s used in-store try-ons to reduce returns and generate product insights.
Farm Rio launched temporary pop-ups to test demand and build brand familiarity.
Little Words Project created bracelet-making stations that encouraged repeat visits and community content.
This approach reflects a broader appetite for sensory-driven retail, something we explored in one of our most-read features this year, “Brands You Want to Bite”, which looks at how brands are using taste, texture and atmosphere to create long-term recall.
Physical stores now function as a feedback loop. They contribute to loyalty, provide campaign content, and support attribution. For omnichannel brands, retail has become a working part of the marketing infrastructure — not a standalone space.
📲 Like what you’re seeing?
🎟️ Your Invite to The Lead Summit 2025 — On Us
As an official partner of The Lead Summit, ClickZ is excited to extend a special offer to our Unofficially Lead Summit readers:
✅ Work at a brand or retailer? You can attend for FREE.
Just add our name “ClickZ” in the “how did you hear about us?” field when registering.
💼 Not a brand or retailer? We’ve got you covered too.
🧠 One Final Thought: Show Up Strategic
Here’s how to make your Lead Summit count:
✔ Bookmark sessions that reflect the way your team is actually structured
✔ Don’t just visit the booths — ask the hard questions around performance and ROI
✔ Think beyond brand — look at where marketing, product, and tech intersect
We’ll be back next week. Until then, stay sharp — and start building your game plan for NYC.
The Unofficially Lead Summit Team
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