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J.Crew's CMO on hype, hiring and brand trips.
J.Crew's CMO emphasizes the importance of flexibility and a multidisciplinary approach in brand strategy, reflecting the need for brands to adapt to the rapidly evolving landscape shaped by social media and influencer culture. Hiring practices are shifting towards valuing creative problem-solving and cultural resonance over traditional qualifications, highlighting the need for brands to foster a collaborative and engaging environment to succeed.
Feed Me: J.Crew's CMO on hype, hiring and brand trips. "The best leaders I have worked for were all clear, generous, and most importantly, decisive." Good morning everyone. How are you all celebrating the warm 41°F weather today? Today’s newsletter includes: Mexico City’s most famous grilled fish is coming to America, launching a Substack newsletter can get you a New York Magazine interview, and Isabella Rossellini’s farm is making wool. Have a story idea for me? Reply to this email or text the anonymous Feed Me Tip Line: (646) 494-3916 Guest Lecture: Julia Collier This interview is part of a Feed Me feature called Guest Lecture.
In this series, I introduce you all to an expert who I’m curious about, and give paid readers an opportunity to ask them anything they want. Past guests have included Keith McNally, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and Audrey Hobert. Today, J.Crew’s CMO Julia Collier discusses what she looks for when hiring, the most recent Rollneck Sweater campaign (“We thought about the casting for this campaign as if we were building characters in a John Hughes film”) and that brand trip to Puglia last summer. “I want to know what the hiring process feels like right now vs. when you got started in your career.
Are there any patterns (good or bad) you’re seeing in young people that you’re interviewing?” - Emily When I was getting started in my career, roles were much more linear: you were hired to do one thing. Now the requirement in creative and communications fields is to flex across many things and pivot constantly to the ever-changing landscape. This is a reflection of how brands need to behave to be successful, but also how younger people naturally think.
Social media has changed everything — how we consume news, our access to celebrities, and, of course, the domination of influencer and creator culture — and all at lightning speed.The qualities I always look for in anyone I’m hiring are excitement, flexibility and a positive attitude. These things may sound obvious, but they go such a long way in being part of a fast-paced culture where working as a team is so important.
When interviewing, the people who tend to stand out the most are also curious and active listeners — they ask questions based on the conversation you have had in the interview, which always shows they are engaged and connected. When I was getting started in my career, roles were much more linear: you were hired to do one thing. Now the requirement in creative and communications fields is to flex across many things and pivot constantly to the ever-changing landscape. This is a reflection of how brands need to behave to be successful, but also how younger people naturally think.
Social media has changed everything — how we consume news, our access to celebrities, and, of course, the domination of influencer and creator culture — and all at lightning speed. The qualities I always look for in anyone I’m hiring are excitement, flexibility and a positive attitude. These things may sound obvious, but they go such a long way in being part of a fast-paced culture where working as a team is so important.
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The insights from J.Crew's CMO on adapting brand strategy to social media trends and evolving hiring practices are significant for the industry, though the concepts of flexibility and multidisciplinary approaches are becoming more common.
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