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PODCAST

The Watson Weekend

Welcome to The Watson Weekend – a rollicking weekly live conversation (and dance party) about all things retail, tech, and ecommerce! Hosts Rick Watson and Jess Lesesky and guests from all around the ecommerce world cut through the BS and bring you no-nonsense conversation, deep insights, and opinions that aren’t afraid to be contrarian. Join us for the livestream every Friday at noon on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecommercestrategyconsulting/ and YouTube at

business business news

All Episodes

01:16:42

From Orvis to Dinosaurs: A Conversation with Dave...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/08/03

This week on The Watson Weekend, we sit down with brand-building veteran Dave "Finn" Finnegan, former CMO of Orvis and Build-A-Bear. Finn shares his unique perspective on marketing, drawing from his experiences in retail and as a budding anthropologist. We dive into the importance of authentic connections, the balance between data and storytelling, and how to create brands that truly resonate with customers. Plus, Finn tells us about his latest adventure: a dinosaur dig in Portugal!In this episode,

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01:06:46

Beyond the Hype: The Future of Commerce, AI, and...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/07/20

Join us for a captivating conversation with Dilip Keshu, founder of BORN Group and a visionary in global commerce. In this episode of The Watson Weekend Live Show, Dilip unpacks the evolving landscape of retail, the true potential of AI, and why human curiosity remains irreplaceable.We dive deep into:The saturated e-commerce market and how brands can truly stand out.The three stages of growth in a market: Keynesian model, Say's Law, and continuous innovation.Why "one-to-one personalization" hasn't

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01:04:44

Apps Expert DESTROYS Common Mobile Marketing Myths...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/07/13

Sue Azari, a distinguished e-commerce executive at AppsFlyer, exposes the shocking truths about mobile app marketing that most retailers are getting completely wrong. From why your "best customers" might not be what you think to the real reason Teemu is terrifying luxury brands, this conversation reveals the mobile strategies that actually drive revenue.🔥 Mind-Blowing Revelations:75% of mobile ad spend goes to remarketing (not acquisition!)Why the "best customers download apps" theory is

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01:05:10

Lowe's VP Reveals How They Built a $XXX Million...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/06/29

Michael McCluskey, VP of Marketplace at Lowe's, drops bombshells about how they launched their marketplace faster than anyone expected and why traditional retail is dead. From competing with Amazon's drone delivery to the shocking truth about why most marketplace projects fail, this conversation reveals the inside strategy of America's second-largest home improvement retailer.Key Revelations:How Lowe's launched their marketplace in under 4 months (most take years)Why Amazon's grocery strategy is

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01:09:44

TikTok Shop SECRETS: $0 to #5 US Retailer - Former...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/06/22

David Baker, CDO at Beekman 1802, spills the secrets behind TikTok Shop's explosive growth from political campaign tactics to beauty brand domination. From Obama's digital team strategies to becoming the #5 retailer in America, this deep dive reveals what actually works.🔥 Key Takeaways:Why TikTok Shop beats Instagram/Facebook 10:1 in social commerceThe "visual hook" formula that drives viral product salesWhy you need 10X more content than you think (and why most fails)How to turn influencers into a

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01:07:41

GM Executive Reveals: Why 'Execution Drives Morale,...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/06/15

In this eye-opening full interview, Sid Jatia, GM's Global VP of Digital Commerce & Service, drops truth bombs about what really works in large enterprise organizations. From Microsoft to Under Armour to General Motors, Sid shares battle-tested strategies that challenge conventional leadership wisdom.🔥 Key Takeaways:Why execution beats vision for team motivationThe real reason cross-functional teams fail (it's not what you think)How GM turns service appointments into sales opportunitiesWhy

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01:03:02

Shopify Editions Recap Conversation With Shopify...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/06/08

Nick Kaplan steps in as guest co-host with Rick Watson —and yes, we doubled up on Nicks because mediocrity requires one, but excellence needs two.Nick and Rick, who are in the same studio, talk about Peleton’s P2P play, Temu’s struggle, and they recap The Lead Summit.They are then joined by Shopify Agency operators to talk about their trip to Toronto for Editions.🧠 The Shopify Agency Lineup:Mark Perini – Founder of ICEE SocialJacquelyn Laufer – Driver Digital PartnerNick Thomson – Head of

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01:06:09

VTEX & Mach Alliance Leaders Debate the Future of...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/06/01

INDUSTRY DEBATE: VTEX co-founder Mariano Gomide de Faria sits down with Mach Alliance President Casper Rasmussen after his viral LinkedIn post that sparked major discussion in the e-commerce world!The Discussion: Mariano's post about the Mach Alliance's evolution generated hundreds of comments and industry-wide conversation about the future of enterprise architecture.Key Highlights:The evolution of enterprise architecture principlesWhy simplicity is the key to future successBold prediction: Platform

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53:06

BigCommerce Marketing is 'Pretty Crap' Says Industry...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/05/25

In this no-holds-barred conversation, Rick Watson sits down with Jo Baker, CEO of ShipperHQ, for a brutally honest discussion about the current state of e-commerce platforms. From Adobe's struggles with Magento to Shopify's enterprise ambitions and BigCommerce's missed opportunities, nothing is off limits.🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED:Why Adobe needs to "stop apologizing for Magento"The real reason BigCommerce failed during COVID (the best period for e-commerce ever)Shopify's secret weapon that competitors

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42:55

Destination Unknown With The Lead Summit's Sonal...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/05/18

It is a reunion show. Hosts Jessica Lesesky and Nick Kaplan run the Watson Weekend while Rick Watson is away. A longer headline hangover, as there is a lot to talk about:Klarna is walking back its initial bullishness on artificial intelligence. There are certain situations where humans need to defuse a situation (think CRM and a customer having a meltdown) - an AI agent or bot cannot resolve a situation to the benefit of the company.Weight Watchers announced that their clinical division filed for

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55:49

The $36 Trillion B2B Commerce Revolution: Insider...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/05/11

Join hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Leseski as they dive deep into the massive potential of B2B e-commerce with Jack Freeman, Partner at PeakSpan Capital. With B2B commerce now reaching $36 trillion in sales, this episode explores why this market is finally gaining momentum after years of slow adoption.Jack shares valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities in the B2B space, including the generational shift in buying patterns, the impact of digital natives entering procurement roles, and

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55:25

Marketing in Uncertain Times: Erik Huberman of Hawk...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/05/04

In this episode of The Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Jess Lesetsky welcome Hawk Media founder & CEO Erik Huberman to discuss digital marketing strategies during economic uncertainty. Erik shares why cutting your marketing budget during challenging times is almost always a mistake, why a good product remains marketing's foundation, and how brands can become effective media companies. Plus, Nick Kaplan returns with week three of "Kaplan's Corner: Held Hostage" offering tactical advice on

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50:55

Inside Vivrelle: How This Luxury Membership Club is...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/04/27

In this episode of The Watson Weekend, Rick and Jess welcome Donna Felix, VP of Product & E-commerce at Vivrelle, the innovative luxury fashion membership club that's changing how we access designer handbags and accessories. Donna shares Vivrelle's origin story (written on a napkin during the founders' honeymoon!), explains how they track thousands of luxury items, and reveals their exciting new partnership with Revolve Group. Plus, Nick Kaplan returns with tactical advice for navigating the

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56:56

Marketplace Mastery: Jordan Sielaff on Amazon...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/04/20

In this episode of The Watson Weekend, Rick Watson and Nick Kaplan dive into the evolving world of marketplaces with special guest Jordan Sielaff, co-founder and CEO of Geared. They discuss Amazon's potential TikTok acquisition, the Shein IPO's challenges amid tariff concerns, and the wave of eye-opening Chinese manufacturing content flooding TikTok.Jordan shares his journey from marketplace seller to Amazon executive to entrepreneur, offering invaluable insights on marketplace strategy for brands,

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46:49

Leadership in Crisis: GM's Sid Jatia on Execution,...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/04/13

In this episode of The Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky navigate the turbulent economic landscape with special guest Sid Jatia, VP of Digital Commerce and Service at General Motors. They discuss the week's top stories including suspended IPOs, Nintendo Switch pre-order rollercoaster, the Prada-Versace acquisition, and the impact of tariffs on retail forecasts and customs operations. Sid shares invaluable leadership insights on driving team execution, creating cross-functional

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56:14

The Amazon Power Play: John Shea Breaks Down Trillion...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/04/06

In this episode of The Watson Weekend sponsored by Elastic Path, hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky explore the latest developments in e-commerce and retail with special guest John Shea from Momentum Commerce. They discuss Target's employee bonus cuts, the Kate Spade x Target collaboration, PetSmart's ship-from-store strategy, NRF's optimistic sales forecasts, and Amazon's potential bid for TikTok. John Shea shares expert insights on Amazon's evolution into a trillion-dollar platform, the

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40:08

ShopTalk Controversies: AI Agents, Vendor Battles &...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/03/30

In this episode of Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Nick Kaplan dive into the latest updates in retail technology and e-commerce. They share their experiences from the ShopTalk conference, discuss the latest in tariffs and inventory management, and explore the impact of generative AI and digital agents in the industry. The duo also highlights the best and worst aspects of ShopTalk, including the importance of relationships, the evolution of influencer marketing, and the frustrations with badge

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49:26

Stephen Cope on Shaping B2B E-commerce: Tech...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/03/23

In this episode of Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky dive into the latest e-commerce and retail news. They discuss Skims' innovative strategies, Forever 21's looming bankruptcy, and the storied history of the fashion retailer. Special guest Stephen Cope, CIO of ASTRAK, shares his insights on digital transformation in the B2B sector, particularly in the construction equipment parts industry. Stephen elaborates on ASTRAK's unique approach to integrating companies quickly, the

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38:52

Matthew Steinbrecher on Cross-Border Commerce,...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/03/16

In this episode of Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesecky dive into the latest in retail, tech, and e-commerce news. Key topics include China's pushback against Walmart's supplier policies, Shein's new merchandising strategies, and Kohl's partnership with Sephora. Special guest Matt Steinbrecher joins to delve into the intricacies of cross-border commerce, from payment regulations to marketplace strategies. Tune in for insights on how brands can effectively expand internationally and

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52:46

Mike Ryan on Ecom Shake-Up: Google's Search Crisis &...

The Watson Weekend ·

2025/03/09

In this episode of Watson Weekend, hosts Rick Watson and Jessica Lesesky dive into the latest in e-commerce and retail news. They discuss Shopify's new AI feature and review Google's AI-driven changes in performance marketing with insights from expert guest Mike Ryan. Mike shares his take on Google PMAX, differences in global strategies, and what makes the Miami Heat's direct-to-consumer approach unique. The team also explores the implications of efficiency-driven decisions, using Elon Musk's recent

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79 results

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