Member Spotlight (July-August 2024)
Nate Hayden
Senior Director of Customer Marketing
Blount Fine Foods
Main job responsibilities: Leading our team to drive best-in-class promotion activity at shelf, driving insights and strategies to our customers though our sales team, and leading our media planning, consumer activation and content charge.
How you win with shoppers during uncertain economic times: Value, quality and assortment. Not just in flavor assortment, but also in size and price point.
New marketing tactic that you use: I can’t give away all of our secrets, but I get asked many times, “Why don’t you always do what all the brands are doing?” Well, that’s your answer. It really comes down to being authentic and meeting consumers where they are throughout their shopping journey.
Best career advice you’ve received: There’s so many things to pick from for this. Bob Sewall, Blount’s head of sales, reminds us of one quote all the time: “You get what you inspect, not what you expect.” That’s a mantra that can drive a lot of activity and insights forward.
Memorable aha moment in your career: Listen to consumers’ wants and needs. What they are telling you isn’t always right on the surface, so you might have to dig. Figure out the “why” behind it and leverage it. There are a few times this has surprised me or driven that aha moment. When a new item followed those wants, the sales and basket data came back proving it all matched our consumer learnings.
What you are reading or watching right now: With a toddler at home, there’s been a lot of “Sesame Street” and a lot less reading lately. I’ll also watch any good hockey game.
Summer travel plans: In New England, everyone’s coming this way for the beaches and perfect summertime weather. So, I’m not going anywhere other than enjoying the local paradise, beaches and seafood with family and friends — until it gets cold.
Christopher Cubba
Chief Revenue Officer
Snipp
Main job responsibilities: I build high-performing sales and client management teams. I also develop company revenue goals, objectives and performance expectations.
How you win with shoppers during uncertain economic times: Our clients are leaning on our team to drive strategies and activate in ways that help ease consumers’ economic issues. We do this in a variety of ways using our technology platform and industry expertise. We leverage advanced algorithms, machine learning and real-time monitoring.
Best career advice you’ve received: Don’t overload yourself with projects that you can’t complete well without hurting yourself. You’d be much better off in your career by setting better expectations for yourself and those around you.
Memorable aha moment in your career: Realizing people matter most. Work somewhere with kind, generous and helpful colleagues. High-achieving teams, financially rewarding careers and meaningful work can all exist in an environment with good people. If you don’t see it where you’re at, run and find somewhere that fits.
What you are reading or watching right now: Before 9 p.m., it’s “Bluey.” IFKYK. After 9 p.m., it’s “The Bear.”
Leisure plans: Being a proud dad watching my kids play youth sports.