S8:E6 Luxury Retail Marketing with Wes Wolch, SVP Marketing at Holt Renfrew

As the biggest and busiest library in North America, the Toronto Public Library exemplifies community and connection in ways that few other organizations, brands and institutions do.  And beyond enriched book borrowing, access to physical and digital resources and quiet study spaces, the Toronto Public Library actively partners with local community organizations such as newcomer organizations, senior organizations, youth agencies supporting at-risk youth and public health. Tune in now to learn more from Director, Communications, Programming & Customer Engagement, Linda Hazzan. Visit Toronto Public Library: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/

What does it mean to live outside of norms, and break, experiment and play with them? How can we push the limits of what we think we know about the world around us? Behind the power of Buddies’ creative programming and yearning in bringing stories to life, it's no surprise that folks from all across Canada are making the time to see their shows and experience the essence of theater. Queering the form of theatre and queering performance art in fun and cutting-edge ways! Fact: Buddies is the largest and longest running queer theatre in the world and a central hub and cultural destination for artists and queer-trans people! Tune in as we explore these questions and more with special guest Katie Clarke (they/them), Marketing Manager at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. Follow Katie: https://www.instagram.com/buddiesto/p/C-LlyjWylJf/  Visit Buddies: https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/

Mohit Rajhans returns to The Pivot to discuss all parts artificial intelligence. Where we are, what we can expect and how AI adoption and practices have rapidly evolved in the race for efficiency. Mohit breaks down the opportunities from both marketing and technological lenses that teams and organizations would find useful. Also discussed: Automation disruption, co-pilots, and the Gen Alpha effect tied to AI and office culture. Teams must prepare themselves for the disruption they’re going to see. The question is, how do you want to see it disrupt what you do? We're going to see cost pressures associated with infrastructure that AI has been committed to within the last three years. We have to start thinking about how different companies are using information and resources. Speed to iteration, speed to market and speed to being able to adjust to your client needs are going to be critical in the next 12-18 months. Amid the AI arms race, Deepseek is a reminder that it can be used in so many different ways that aren’t as clear as initially thought. Follow Mohit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohitrajhans/  Mediologist, Mohit Rajhans is a nationally syndicated subject matter expert with over 20 years of experience in media, technology, and digital transformation. His unique blend of corporate and media expertise has driven his success as a media consultant, helping companies, students, and associations navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Mohit contributes weekly to both national and international industry programs, providing insights on the intersection of media, AI, and content strategy. An avid film culture enthusiast, and the founder of Dadspotting.com, a platform dedicated to the parenting market. Through his website ThinkStart.ca, Mohit teaches microskills designed to help professionals stay ahead in the digital age. As the author of multiple books, including the Amazon Canada #1 Book Rethinking Your Content and Navigating the Social Media Shift, Mohit's currently finds himself working with briding legacy media to new opportunities with his program Rethinking with AI. His recent accomplishments include winning Best of the Stage in the Innovation category from Smart Meetings International and delivering a keynote on AI workflows at IBC in Amsterdam. Recognized as a trailblazer by the ReelWorld Festival, Mohit serves on the iEmmys jury and has collaborated with The Walrus to release the podcast The Future of the Internet.

Amid timely Canadian macroeconomic updates, we chat with Patrick Gill of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce to explore some of the present shocks and potential challenges Canada faces. From labour disruptions and technological advancement, to much-needed business investment and population changes, this is a taping you’ll want to pay close attention to.  As we move in 2025, we expect tension and inflationary pressures as we aim to solve our productivity problem, enhance our competitiveness and fuel Canadian business success. Through informed data analysis, we can make smarter policy-making decisions and navigate turbulence with greater grit and effectiveness. Plus: Really cool tidbits on the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab, helping connect Canadian business owners and businesses to useful resources and information. And, the democratization of data, powered by artificial intelligence.  

In this latest installment of The Pivot, we sit down with Wes Wolch to explore the essence of luxury retail marketing, and the moves Holt Renfrew is making to transform the consumer experience. An expressive dialogue that helps us rethink how we should define and drive marketing of today and tomorrow.  

In this episode of #ThePivot, Ruth and Ken discuss some of the challenges newcomers to Canada face in seeking employment in the media communication sector. Listen to learn more on how to build your professional presence, use the power of storytelling, and relevant strategies on how to navigate the job market of today and tomorrow. Ruth draws on her professional experience as an employment counsellor and her personal journey. Ruth Javier Friesen is a Career Development Professional with more than five years of experience working with post-secondary students, women, and newcomers. In this time, Ruth has provided employment advice, settlement assistance, and facilitating connections to services and organizations. Ruth is also skilled in one-on-one career coaching, motivational training, workshop design and facilitation. A guest speaker at IABC/Toronto and George Brown College, Ruth is passionate and dedicated to working with people, especially newcomers, to assist them with their professional development journey.  

For over a decade, Lucas Solowey has built relationships with communities, non-profits, changemakers, entrepreneurs, athletes, celebrities, politicians, authors, and ethical brands. Toronto Humane Society is more than an animal shelter - they are an educational resource and support system, a leading voice in animal welfare and accessible care. The organization is also a centre of excellence, a space where best practices and boundary-pushing knowledge meet with unyielding optimism and a love for animals to create something special. Toronto Humane Society is like no other.

If you’re seeking clarity on how to creatively shape customer experience design – this is the podcast episode for you. Up next on The Pivot, we chat with Dr. Markus Giesler, renowned consumer researcher and Professor of Marketing at the Schulich School of Business. We explored many themes, from the data experience dialectic and notion of the paradox to bigger-picture questions and the power of social science. Dr. Markus Giesler also shares what led him to customer experience design, along with his experiences with the Kellogg School of Management and Columbia Business School. Tune in now!

If you’re curious about the power of storytelling in sport and the joy it brings – this is the podcast episode for you. Up next on The Pivot, we chat with Jonathan Chang, Head of Sports Marketing at the CBC. We explored a number of relevant topics, such as the evolution of integrated brand campaigns in Canada, a closer look into the mindset of our athletes, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports.  Jonathan also shares his take on what we can expect in the next three to five years in the sports landscape, and a cool campaign he’s recently worked on, with voiceovers from Michael J Fox (English) and Celine Dion (French) ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games!!

In our Season 8 opener, we welcome legendary Canadian Olympians Diana Matheson of Project 8, and Jayna Hefford of the Professional Women’s Hockey League, to chat about the important work they’re leading in advancing women’s sport. From rapidly rising viewership to fandom participation, broadcast strategy, and strategic sponsorship, the growing market and demand for women’s sport has opened a plethora of opportunities. Brands can take the lead, live their values, and double down on their advocacy, rather than shy away from it.  Gain deeper insight into the world of Canadian Women’s sports in this latest conversation between host Ken Evans, and Canadian Olympians Diana Matheson and Jayna Hefford. Listen now.