Vivian Ponn Jasiak’s Post

August 15th marked my last day at VF Corporation, and I'm truly proud of what we achieved. Companies often speak of the value of holistic Digital Transformation programs, but I am so proud to have lived it. When I joined VF in January 2020, I led a small team of about 10 individuals in the Hong Kong area, working on modest projects for a few VF brands. This represented a very small fraction of the company's overall product portfolio. We hadn't onboarded any factories, and there was minimal corporate infrastructure in place to support our efforts. Furthermore, at that time, the digital realm was primarily limited to "creation." Then, COVID struck. Rapidly, our brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, and Dickies recognized the challenges of making decisions based on physical samples, leading them to explore 3D Digital Product Creation (DPC) as a solution. However, DPC alone couldn't address every issue; it necessitated process changes, library development, organizational shifts, and infrastructure enhancements. So, we rolled up our sleeves and initiated a comprehensive digital transformation program: Go-To-Market Transformation. As I bid farewell to VF Corp, I leave behind a team of over 30 professionals spanning across Asia, engaged in the creation process for 3D product. This team serves as a center of excellence, having onboarded numerous factories to the digital process. We have achieved 100% digitization of products for some of the largest of VF brands. We've established an infrastructure capable of integrating design and product creation tools with Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems. All of this was accomplished through an immense amount of hard work, partnership, and friendship. It was a result of close cooperation with brand partners, the Go-To-Market Transformation team, our Product Supply (sourcing) team, and, of course, our phenomenal Asia DPC team. I want to emphasize that our team didn't merely impact the creation process. We orchestrated a connected transformation across Plan, Create, Make, and Sell. These type of transformations typically include enhanced decision-making, expediting the design process, reducing time to market, conveying design intent clearly to the manufacturing team, and boosting sales. VF was no different. You can catch a glimpse of our "Sell" efforts on Timberland's Virtual Try-on page: https://lnkd.in/gu_pfs5w To all those who made this possible at VF Corp, Timberland, The North Face, Vans, and Dickies, my deepest gratitude. You know who you are. While I’m sad to leave so many good friends behind at VF, I’m also excited about what’s coming next. Stay tuned! Have you embarked on a similar transformation journey? Please share your experiences and insights in the comments below. As a parting thought, I'll leave you with some wisdom from Steve Jobs about the power of a strong team: https://lnkd.in/gN8MHp83 #DigitalTransformation #FashionTech

*CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES WISELY* There once lived two brothers Rudolf and Adolf Dassler in Herzogenaurach, Germany. The brothers founded the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) in the 1920s, specializing in athletic footwear. Their brand gained prominence, especially during the 1936 Olympics when American sprinter Jesse Owens wore their shoes. However, as World War II unfolded, tensions between the brothers escalated, culminating in a rift. In the aftermath of the war, the two parted ways, with Rudolf establishing Puma in 1948 and Adolf founding Adidas in 1949. The small town of Herzogenaurach soon became a symbolic battleground for the two sportswear giants. Both companies achieved global success and played significant roles in shaping the sports industry, with Adidas and Puma becoming iconic brands worn by athletes worldwide. Despite their shared origins and parallel journeys to success, the brothers never reconciled. The town of Herzogenaurach became a testament to their enduring feud, divided between employees loyal to Adidas and those supporting Puma. The Dassler brothers' story serves as a poignant example of how personal conflicts, even in the pursuit of shared goals, can fracture relationships irreparably. The success of Adidas and Puma stands as a testament to their respective entrepreneurial prowess, but the cost was the profound personal estrangement between the two brothers, who, until their deaths, neither spoke nor saw each other. This narrative underscores the intricate balance between professional achievement and the human toll that conflicts can exact on personal relationships, leaving an enduring legacy that transcends both the sportswear industry and the town they once called home. Understanding the Notion of "Battle" In the context we're exploring, a battle isn't solely a military engagement but extends to conflicts, disputes, and disagreements that manifest on various scales, from personal relationships to communal and even international levels. One poignant example is the longstanding Israel-Palestine conflict. Rooted in history, religion, and cultural identities, this conflict exemplifies the gravity of battles that extend far beyond literal warfare. On one side, you have Israel, largely Jewish, with ties to ancient biblical history and a profound connection to the land. On the other side, there's Palestine, primarily Muslim, with a history intertwined with the Arab world and a claim to the same land. This ongoing struggle isn't merely a territorial dispute; it's a clash of narratives, ideologies, and deeply entrenched cultural histories. The conflict serves as a stark reminder that battles can extend far beyond the literal battlefield, affecting entire populations and generations. Read the complete blog here: 📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://lnkd.in/gGmCjgFu

How does a company in a niche market continue to grow? By creating opportunities that align with their brand while tapping into relevant trends and conversations. If you didn’t grow up around horses like I did, you might be hearing about Ariat International for the first time. Launched in 1993 by Beth Cross, who grew up on a farm and built her career at top shoe companies, Ariat revolutionized the equestrian world with its patented boot technology focused on rider support. So, how does a company specializing in English and Western equestrian footwear break into the mainstream? Through creativity, strategy, and a steadfast commitment to its core values. Two of my favorite Ariat collaborations are their 10-year partnership with The Compton Cowboys and their recent limited-edition collection with Milton Menasco. Brand collaborations might seem like a leap for a niche brand, but for Ariat, it’s a natural extension of their innovative spirit. The Compton Cowboys - From the Richland Farms of Compton, CA, the Compton Cowboys are seven cowboys and one cowgirl using horses to positively influence inner-city youth, challenge negative stereotypes, and honor African-American contributions to equine heritage. As one of the few Black English riders at my barn growing up, seeing Ariat support this organization deepened my admiration for the brand. Strategically, it’s a smart move—expanding the equestrian world, supporting new riders, and increasing brand exposure. Milton Menasco - This luxury lifestyle brand epitomizes equestrian chic meets Western cowgirl. Originally launched as an Instagram account, it has grown a steady following, merging aesthetics as they become more mainstream. Ariat’s expertise in both English and Western channels made this partnership a natural fit, reinforcing their core value of innovation and expanding their reach. Another win for the brand? More people, from Beyoncé to Bella Hadid, are embracing their "horse girl" era. https://lnkd.in/emMMTztY #branding #marketing #brandmarketing #strategy #horsegirl

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Did you know a product launch also occurred during last night's Oscars? The Turkish brand Karaca recently appeared at the Academy Awards to showcase its "Red Carpet Collection" and make a strategic move in its global expansion strategy. The brand aims to establish itself as a household name in the world of luxury and popular culture, similar to Turkish designer Barlas Baylar of Hudson Furniture Inc.'s influence on American celebrity culture. This product placement at the Oscars is a pivotal moment for the brand, and it seeks to embed itself further into the global market. What do you think about Karaca's Oscars moment and international expansion efforts? #CulturalExpansion #Oscars2024 #MarketingStrategy #BrandPositioning #academyawards

Many years of seeing and working in the #advertising sphere and I’ve often thought what has made the biggest impact on me from a #brand message. There are many contenders. I like #watches amongst other things so here is my answer. It’s been my answer for a decade or more but the thing is after another 10 years it remains so. For a decade or more Patek Philippe and the inherent link to identity, family and legacy contained in the words below has always stood out by far. The evocation of #emotion, exclusivity, quality, #desire, #achievement, children, family, and always #legacy. Making a difference. Being present for longer than our physical self. ‘You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation’ Created by Leagas Delaney in 1996. the ability to be eternally constant and without need for change is inspiring. What inspires you? What creates connection in the way this does for me? #watches #marketing #brand

What? Have you never heard of our Favolite? This is normal ：） Why is the Favolite brand little-known but able to maintain sustained growth in stage moving head light sales? Please listen to me explain in detail to you: Firstly, we, Favolite, have been deeply involved in the LED moving head light race for 10 years. Secondly, because our company's philosophy is pragmatic, Not doing too much brand promotion. Most importantly, we have devoted more time and energy to product development and practicality, It can be said that it has unique craftsmanship. Because we know, If the product quality is not good, No matter how big the brand is, it's useless, The ultimate loser is still the consumers. #Favolite #stagelightfactory #stagelightmanufacturer #stagelightChina #ledmovinghead #stagelights #stagelighting #getshow #ProlightSound

We are passionate and we love our company, our team and our job. We use our heart, our mind and our ‘face’ in everything we do and in every part of the World. #wearecorazza Follow us to know more about who we are! Watch the video 3

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Simeon Siegel, CFA speaks to Bloomberg about the strength of, and competition within, athletic footwear and apparel, the value of a compelling store-selling experience and the possibilities and potential pitfalls of celebrity endorsers. “You find the right person to rep your brand at the right time and there’s nothing better. You find the right person to rep your brand at the wrong time and you’re out of cash. You find the wrong person at the wrong time, throw your hands up in the air, you’re in trouble. "Stores are magical. Sure, so much of the storytelling is commercials or being targeted in your social media feeds. But the best way to tell that story is to show that product in an environment that you can control.” Watch the full segment here: http://spr.ly/6044uxjlp