Industry News

Ricardo LaJoie, Global Chief Merchant, Vans

Eye on the Corner Office: Ricardo LaJoie of Vans on Why Brands Don’t Create Cool

With Vans navigating one of retail’s most compelling repositioning stories, LaJoie shares his philosophy on brand stewardship, the irreplaceable role of human judgment in merchandising, and what it really means to author culture rather than chase it.

Sonya Brown, General Partner at Norwest

Eye on Wall Street: Sonya Brown on Science-Backed Beauty and the Art of Durable Growth

The investment veteran shares how she advises founders to stay agile, why efficacy‑driven brands are outperforming, and how Norwest Ventures approaches long‑term value creation even as the liquidity landscape evolves.

The Trust Arbitrage: Why Gen AI’s Advertising Ambition is a High-Stakes Gamble

As OpenAI rolls out its advertising platform, the industry is watching more than just a new revenue stream. They are watching a real-time stress test of the most fragile asset in the digital age: user trust.