<description>Enterprise AI doesn’t fail because the models aren’t ready. It stalls when operating models, data foundations, and decision paths can’t keep up.

Recorded at NRF, this AiR Podcast features Yael Kochman in conversation with Rakesh Srinivasan (The Estée Lauder Companies) and Chris Daniels (Toptal) on what it takes to move from scattered experimentation to repeatable, enterprise deployment - across brands, regions, teams, and partner ecosystems.

Key takeaways
- Why saturation, skepticism, and a fragmented customer journey are forcing beauty brands to rethink how innovation gets delivered
- What must change inside the enterprise to scale AI: product-oriented teams, clear intake and sequencing, and strategy-led roadmaps
- The real governance challenge: maintaining brand voice and trust as data flows through platforms, vendors, and generative layers
- How modular, “build once, scale many” platforms enable faster deployment across brands
- When partnering accelerates outcomes - and why building everything internally can slow progress
- A concrete example: Jo Malone London’s Scent Finder and what it shows about treating AI as a product, not a pilot

Learn more about The Estée Lauder Companies and Toptal</description>

Enterprise AI doesn’t fail because the models are…

Enterprise AI doesn’t fail because the models aren’t ready. It stalls when operating models, data foundations, and decision paths can’t keep up.

Recorded at NRF, this AiR Podcast features Yael Kochman in conversation with Rakesh Srinivasan (The Estée Lauder Companies) and Chris Daniels (Toptal) on what it takes to move from scattered experimentation to repeatable, enterprise deployment - across brands, regions, teams, and partner ecosystems.

Key takeaways
- Why saturation, skepticism, and a fragmented customer journey are forcing beauty brands to rethink how innovation gets delivered
- What must change inside the enterprise to scale AI: product-oriented teams, clear intake and sequencing, and strategy-led roadmaps
- The real governance challenge: maintaining brand voice and trust as data flows through platforms, vendors, and generative layers
- How modular, “build once, scale many” platforms enable faster deployment across brands
- When partnering accelerates outcomes - and why building everything internally can slow progress
- A concrete example: Jo Malone London’s Scent Finder and what it shows about treating AI as a product, not a pilot

Learn more about The Estée Lauder Companies and Toptal

Moving past pilots: What enterprise AI actually takes

<description>There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show. Each year, it generates an unmistakable buzz across the retail industry. What matters most, however, is how that buzz translates into real insight and action.

NRF 2026 delivered bold predictions, big ideas, and no shortage of conversation around AI. The real question is what retailers actually took seriously this year.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon is joined by Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group and Casey Golden of CI&amp;T to break down the signals that mattered most from both the show floor and the stage.

Rather than rehashing headlines, the conversation focuses on the realities retailers are facing today, including:

• Why NRF 2026 felt fresher and more grounded than recent years
• The shift from AI education to AI implementation and accountability
• Where pressure is building around data readiness, change management, and ROI
• Practical examples of what is working, what remains difficult, and what may be overhyped
• Why transparency, experimentation, and learning from failure stood out this year

Whether you missed NRF or attended in person, this episode offers a clear, honest debrief designed to help retail leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

Listen to the full episode of Retail Therapy</description>

There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show…

There is a reason NRF is called Retail’s Big Show. Each year, it generates an unmistakable buzz across the retail industry. What matters most, however, is how that buzz translates into real insight and action.

NRF 2026 delivered bold predictions, big ideas, and no shortage of conversation around AI. The real question is what retailers actually took seriously this year.

In this episode of Retail Therapy, host Andrew Smith of ThinkUncommon is joined by Liza Amlani of Retail Strategy Group and Casey Golden of CI&T to break down the signals that mattered most from both the show floor and the stage.

Rather than rehashing headlines, the conversation focuses on the realities retailers are facing today, including:

• Why NRF 2026 felt fresher and more grounded than recent years
• The shift from AI education to AI implementation and accountability
• Where pressure is building around data readiness, change management, and ROI
• Practical examples of what is working, what remains difficult, and what may be overhyped
• Why transparency, experimentation, and learning from failure stood out this year

Whether you missed NRF or attended in person, this episode offers a clear, honest debrief designed to help retail leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.

Listen to the full episode of Retail Therapy

Retail Therapy Podcast: NRF 2026 Debrief

<description>Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, The RETHINK Retail Podcast features Fritz Finlay, Head of Production at RETHINK Retail, in conversation with Will Burghes, Head of Professional Services at Rockerbox &amp; DoubleVerify.

The discussion focuses on how retail media measurement is evolving as brands and retailers move beyond impressions and clicks toward outcome-based metrics that matter to the business.

Key insights from the episode include:
- Why impressions and clicks are no longer enough for measuring retail media success
- How retailers and brands are shifting toward revenue, incrementality, and ROAS
- The role of verification, fraud prevention, and brand suitability as table stakes
- How retail media networks, CTV, and walled gardens should be measured
- Where AI fits into the future of advertising measurement, and where human judgment still matters

With retail media networks growing rapidly, this episode breaks down what “good measurement” actually looks like in 2026 and how retailers can prioritize smarter budget decisions without waiting for perfect data.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear the top NRF insights on retail media measurement.</description>

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, The…

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show, The RETHINK Retail Podcast features Fritz Finlay, Head of Production at RETHINK Retail, in conversation with Will Burghes, Head of Professional Services at Rockerbox & DoubleVerify.

The discussion focuses on how retail media measurement is evolving as brands and retailers move beyond impressions and clicks toward outcome-based metrics that matter to the business.

Key insights from the episode include:
- Why impressions and clicks are no longer enough for measuring retail media success
- How retailers and brands are shifting toward revenue, incrementality, and ROAS
- The role of verification, fraud prevention, and brand suitability as table stakes
- How retail media networks, CTV, and walled gardens should be measured
- Where AI fits into the future of advertising measurement, and where human judgment still matters

With retail media networks growing rapidly, this episode breaks down what “good measurement” actually looks like in 2026 and how retailers can prioritize smarter budget decisions without waiting for perfect data.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear the top NRF insights on retail media measurement.

Retail Media Measurement: Top NRF 2026 Insights

<description>Unlock the Future of Brand Growth

Discover what’s changing fastest in how brands grow today, straight from industry leaders who are shaping modern commerce.
The RETHINK Retail Podcast takes you behind the scenes of marketplace strategies, ecosystem-driven growth, and omnichannel success.

Learn from the expertise of Tim Derner of Authentic Brands Group and Remington Tonar of Cart.com as they explore:
- Marketplace acceleration: How Amazon, TikTok Shop, and global platforms are driving brand expansion.
- Ecosystem advantage: Why combining brands, IP, talent, entertainment, and retail partnerships creates outsized impact.
- Omnichannel pitfalls: The most common traps brands fall into when trying to be everywhere at once.
- AI in operations: Where automation and intelligence are quietly improving efficiency without being the headline.

Whether you’re a brand manager, retailer, or commerce innovator, this episode provides actionable insights to help your brand scale globally, simplify operations, and stay ahead of the competition.

🎧 Listen now and transform the way your brand grows.</description>

Unlock the Future of Brand Growth

Discover what’…

Unlock the Future of Brand Growth

Discover what’s changing fastest in how brands grow today, straight from industry leaders who are shaping modern commerce.
The RETHINK Retail Podcast takes you behind the scenes of marketplace strategies, ecosystem-driven growth, and omnichannel success.

Learn from the expertise of Tim Derner of Authentic Brands Group and Remington Tonar of Cart.com as they explore:
- Marketplace acceleration: How Amazon, TikTok Shop, and global platforms are driving brand expansion.
- Ecosystem advantage: Why combining brands, IP, talent, entertainment, and retail partnerships creates outsized impact.
- Omnichannel pitfalls: The most common traps brands fall into when trying to be everywhere at once.
- AI in operations: Where automation and intelligence are quietly improving efficiency without being the headline.

Whether you’re a brand manager, retailer, or commerce innovator, this episode provides actionable insights to help your brand scale globally, simplify operations, and stay ahead of the competition.

🎧 Listen now and transform the way your brand grows.

Brand Growth Insights: Marketplaces & Ecosystems

<description>Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast features Michelle James, Vice President at CTIA, in conversation with Melissa Blassingame, RVP of Partner Alliances at Twilio.

As consumers increasingly ignore unknown calls, this episode explores how Branded Calling ID in retail is helping brands rebuild trust and improve voice engagement.

- Why trust in voice communications is critical for modern retail
- How Branded Calling ID improves answer rates and customer experience
- Real-world retail use cases, including delivery and customer support
- How industry standards and collaboration are restoring trust in voice

🎧 Listen to the episode to learn how Branded Calling ID is bringing trusted voice back to retail.</description>

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, thi…

Recorded live at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, this episode of the RETHINK Retail Podcast features Michelle James, Vice President at CTIA, in conversation with Melissa Blassingame, RVP of Partner Alliances at Twilio.

As consumers increasingly ignore unknown calls, this episode explores how Branded Calling ID in retail is helping brands rebuild trust and improve voice engagement.

- Why trust in voice communications is critical for modern retail
- How Branded Calling ID improves answer rates and customer experience
- Real-world retail use cases, including delivery and customer support
- How industry standards and collaboration are restoring trust in voice

🎧 Listen to the episode to learn how Branded Calling ID is bringing trusted voice back to retail.

How to Restore Trust in Retail Communications

RETHINK Retail - the evolution of retail in today’s connected world.
Join us as we explore the most recent trends and innovations in commerce.

RETHINK RETAIL

Details

Recent Episodes