Thanks for your thoughtful questions! Here are my notes -
- When approaching brand partners you’re not yet connected with, it’s important to be friendly but clear. There’s nothing worse than a vague pitch like, "I have an idea for a partnership - can we jump on a call?" Start with a clear story, shared values, and how the collaboration aligns with their goals. It’s not just about a pitch - it’s an invitation to partner on something cool.
- On the Doen x Gap collaboration, quality is crucial, but sometimes there’s less control over production than you'd like. It’s key to align with a partner who shares similar standards, as consumers need to feel the product is worth holding onto even after the buzz dies down. Sometimes brands are balancing tight margins and often more squeezed with a partnership too so it can be a challenge!
- The Lululemon x Lewis Hamilton partnership is an interesting ambassador move, I’m intrigued by how brands are using men to boost visibility in predominantly women-focused brands like Pete Davidson for Reformation launching their mens line. It’s a trend worth watching as brands target a broader demographic.
Love this. Brand partnerships are one of my favorite marketing plays—shared audiences, heightened authority in key verticals. They come with risks, but their short-term nature actually works in their favor. The built-in scarcity drives exclusivity, making alignment more intentional and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Hi Holly, this is a really helpful breakdown of how to do it well. I’d love to hear about your approach and how it works behind the scenes; the etiquette of approaching brand partners you’re not connected with yet, how to keep the project on track etc. And also, how do you ensure the collab product or merch is good quality and worth having once the collab is no longer in the spotlight? (The Doen/Gap collab was criticised by some customers for its poor quality and other collabs quickly end up on resale platforms or charity shops). How do you make sure it’s a sustainable collaboration while keeping it within budget?
Also, what do you think of the Lululemon x Lewis Hamilton partnership?
Thanks for your thoughtful questions! Here are my notes -
- When approaching brand partners you’re not yet connected with, it’s important to be friendly but clear. There’s nothing worse than a vague pitch like, "I have an idea for a partnership - can we jump on a call?" Start with a clear story, shared values, and how the collaboration aligns with their goals. It’s not just about a pitch - it’s an invitation to partner on something cool.
- On the Doen x Gap collaboration, quality is crucial, but sometimes there’s less control over production than you'd like. It’s key to align with a partner who shares similar standards, as consumers need to feel the product is worth holding onto even after the buzz dies down. Sometimes brands are balancing tight margins and often more squeezed with a partnership too so it can be a challenge!
- The Lululemon x Lewis Hamilton partnership is an interesting ambassador move, I’m intrigued by how brands are using men to boost visibility in predominantly women-focused brands like Pete Davidson for Reformation launching their mens line. It’s a trend worth watching as brands target a broader demographic.
Love this. Brand partnerships are one of my favorite marketing plays—shared audiences, heightened authority in key verticals. They come with risks, but their short-term nature actually works in their favor. The built-in scarcity drives exclusivity, making alignment more intentional and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Hi Holly, this is a really helpful breakdown of how to do it well. I’d love to hear about your approach and how it works behind the scenes; the etiquette of approaching brand partners you’re not connected with yet, how to keep the project on track etc. And also, how do you ensure the collab product or merch is good quality and worth having once the collab is no longer in the spotlight? (The Doen/Gap collab was criticised by some customers for its poor quality and other collabs quickly end up on resale platforms or charity shops). How do you make sure it’s a sustainable collaboration while keeping it within budget?
Also, what do you think of the Lululemon x Lewis Hamilton partnership?