Making iconic high street retailer, Boots, relevant again - Pete Markey, Boots

What does it take to be the CMO of an iconic British high-street retailer, like Boots? Pete Markey shares his valuable wisdom and insights from a career at the very top.
What does it take to be the CMO of an iconic British high-street retailer, like Boots? Pete Markey shares his valuable wisdom and insights from a career at the very top.

What we covered in this episode:
  • The difficult second album making Boots Christmas Ad
  • Rediscovering the joy of Hall & Oates
  • Why Retailers are so good at making Christmas ads
  • Making people feel more festive
  • The importance of escaping reality at Christmas
  • How Boots landed on Joy as a proposition for Boots
  • The purpose of making gifting easier and more joyful
  • Being CMO of a high st retailer during covid & recession
  • How Boots is using pricing and Advantage card to help customers
  • Going from ‘good old Boots’ to ‘oh wow Boots’
  • How Boots is using advertising to reflect the full diversity of society
  • The importance of telling one persons story well
  • Wising up and showing older people in a better light
  • How ‘Summer be ready’ campaign reflected older people as part of the story
  • The role of purpose and whether it can also deliver profit 
  • Never drink the kool aid on your own purpose
  • How to tell your brand story internally as well as externally 
  • Making the finance team your best friend
  • Being shortlisted for Brand of the year in two awards
  • The power of Boots advantage card as a media channel
  • Meeting the challenge of Black Friday
  • Being on the Campaign and Marketing Week Top 100 lists
  • Impressing the kids with a Hollywood style photoshoot
  • The secret to being a Top 100 CMO
  • How the reality of being a CMO is different to the perception 
  • Creating the framework for success and unleashing the talent 
  • The hidden P’s of Politics and Persuasion
  • The importance of non-marketing skill set for a CMO
  • Pete’s advice to the aspiring CMO – be curious, get trained & build your network
  • How Jon got a job that was never advertised
  • The hidden power of your network
  • What you should do right now to build your network
  • How Jon accidentally ended up doing a speech at the wrong event
  • The 100 day plan to meet 100 people
  • Pete’s aim to terrify himself via improvised comedy

Creators and Guests

Jon Evans
Host
Jon Evans
Host of Uncensored CMO & System1 CMO.
Making iconic high street retailer, Boots, relevant again - Pete Markey, Boots
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