Episode 16: Unlocked with Austin & Elizabeth, featuring Nicole Lesinski

How Nestlé Navigated the Retail Media Revolution with Nicole Lesinski Nicole Lesinski, e-commerce strategy lead for Nestlé's frozen division, shares how a global pandemic forced a full reset of shopper marketing plans and accelerated the shift to retail media in ways no one had anticipated. From building internal education programs to failing forward with agency partners, Nicole brings her honest perspective on what it really takes to grow a retail media capability inside a highly matrixed organization. She also covers where CPG investment strategy is heading in 2026, why consumer insight must lead every campaign brief, and how the lessons she has learned on and off the career ladder continue to shape the leader she is today. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:00) Introducing Nicole Lesinski, Nestlé e-commerce leader (02:26) Building a 15-year career across Nestlé's divisions (04:39) Why lateral moves matter more than promotions (05:47) The COVID moment that made retail media real (09:17) Failing forward with agencies and retail partners (13:02) Clean rooms, consumer insight, and smarter briefs (16:02) Prioritizing investment as CPG budgets tighten (19:12) Servant leadership, mentorship, and walking the talk (25:48) Nicole's executive survival kit for staying grounded