About the Episode

Today we’re going to talk about what it takes to scale a brand while keeping a focus on sustainability. We’re also going to talk about scaling while focusing on company values as an agency that supports the growth of brands.

To help me discuss these topics, I’d like to welcome Richie Jones, Managing Director at vvast, a D2C ecommerce agency.

About Richie Jones

Richie’s entrepreneurial career began with in the 1990’s after successfully securing funding from the Prince’s Trust. His sheer determination resulted in co-founded digital agency Yucca, which he ran until its sale in 2012. Becoming somewhat disillusioned with typical agency tactics, he eventually founded vvast with a clear focus on ‘doing things better’. Practising what he preaches, vvast is B-Corp certified and this approach is echoed with the change making clients that vvast works with. Richie has experienced both client side and agency life across multiple sectors. Having spent the majority of his career to date being just in front of the curve, vvast has allowed Richie to blend his client experience and brand expertise to deliver an innovative, low-impact entry to market for brands BUT crucially plugging them into a relentless R&D roadmap based on shared learning. vvast are fast proving themselves to be the D2C ecommerce expert for brands looking to scale at pace. Proudly partnering with a global portfolio from VF (Jansport) $13bn turnover to Stance; and YETI $1.5bn turnover, to Troy Lee; vvast are pro at putting clients right at the heart of the conversation. Having fast tracked ISO accreditation, the business model is geared to support clients trading in the US and looking to break into Europe. vvast understand that D2C is far more than systems and processes and have built a model based on a foundation of collaboration and many years of experience from trading 200+ brands across EMEA. Now on the BCorp mission, Richie and the team are exploring the future of retail through the lens of reduced environmental impact.

Resources

Vvast website: https://www.vvast.com

The Agile Brand podcast website: https://www.gregkihlstrom.com/theagilebrandpodcast

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Synopsis

The company's mission revolves around building long-term brand equity through the utilization of exceptional teams and technology. Their aim is to empower their teams with the best technology, while ensuring that purpose and ethical code are integrated into the development of that technology. The episode emphasizes the importance of having an ethical code and established policies, particularly in the context of the AI-driven age. This indicates that the company places great importance on ethical considerations and responsible use of technology.

Furthermore, the episode highlights the growing focus on sustainability. The company recognizes that sustainability is a crucial aspect of building brand equity and resonating with consumers. They believe that offering more sustainable options to consumers, such as environmentally friendly shipping methods, can contribute significantly to building brand equity. The company has three pillars of engagement with brands, with sustainability being one of them. Their goal is to introduce simple and low-risk concepts to the market that enable brands to become more sustainable.

In summary, the company's mission encompasses a focus on ethical code, technology, and sustainability, all with the ultimate goal of building long-term brand equity.

The episode also mentions that the company has worked with Fortune 1000 brands across various industries, including financial services, healthcare, consumer electronics, and professional services. They have extensive experience in marketing technology platforms and solutions, as well as collaborating with digital agencies and implementation partners. Additionally, they provide assistance in creating strategic roadmaps and prioritizing efforts for their clients. For more information about their services and contact details, visit their website at www.gk5a.com.

During the episode, it is highlighted that the EU and UK are leading the way in terms of regulations and actions related to data privacy and AI regulation. The speaker specifically mentions the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) as an example of consumer data privacy regulation implemented by the EU and UK. They also note that there is increasing discussion and action on AI regulation in these regions, placing them ahead of the United States in addressing the ethical and legal implications of artificial intelligence. The speaker suggests that being proactive in implementing these regulations and changes can benefit brands and businesses, as they can position themselves as leaders in addressing these issues.