Beyond the Viral Moment: Kate Ridley on Building Stanley's Next Chapter

What happens after your brand becomes a cultural phenomenon? How do you sustain extraordinary growth while staying true to the identity that made you successful in the first place? This week on The CMO Podcast, Jim continues his special series from Advertising Week New York with Kate Ridley, Chief Brand Officer of Stanley 1913, part of PMI WW Brands, LLC. With more than 110 years of history, Stanley has transformed from a heritage outdoor brand into a global cultural sensation, fueled by its iconic Quencher tumbler, creative collaborations, and a passionate community of fans. Kate brings more than 25 years of brand-building experience, including leadership roles at adidas and Allbirds. She initially joined Stanley as a consultant, but quickly recognized an extraordinary opportunity to help shape the brand's next chapter. In this conversation, Jim and Kate explore what it takes to build a brand for lasting growth, from staying true to your brand's DNA to embracing new audiences and markets. Kate shares the thinking behind Stanley's partnerships with Lionel Messi and Post Malone, its commitment to elevating women's sports, and why authentic connections with consumers are more powerful than transactional collaborations. They also discuss the importance of bringing product and marketing together, creating space for creativity, and why ruthless prioritization, thoughtful risk-taking, and strong leadership are essential to sustainable growth. At the heart of Kate's philosophy is a simple but powerful lesson: Know thyself. This conversation was recorded live at Advertising Week New York in the Salesforce Podcast Studio. — Meet The CMO Podcast On the Road The CMO Podcast will be on the road in 2027, capturing conversations with the leaders shaping the future of marketing, leadership, and business. If you'll be attending one of these events, we'd love to connect. Let us know! CES | January 5-7 SXSW | March 18-20 POSSIBLE Miami | April 5-7 CANNES Lions | June 20-27 — Interested in partnering with The CMO Podcast?! Looking ahead to the rest of 2026 and into 2027, we're partnering with brands to create executive content platforms that extend far beyond a single event. From pop-up podcast studios and live recordings to executive roundtables, keynote conversations, and bespoke thought leadership programs, we work with partners to build meaningful experiences that connect with senior marketing leaders. Whether you'd like to partner with us at one of the industry's biggest marketing events or create a custom experience designed specifically for your brand, we'd love to explore what's possible. Reach out to learn how we can build something together. Email us at podcasts@vyve.co — Produced by vYve The CMO Podcast is proudly produced by vYve Production, a full-service production and content studio specializing in podcasts, executive storytelling, branded content, and live experiences. vYve is a community of ambitious leaders dedicated to unlocking what's next in business and in life. Through executive coaching, transformative experiences, strategic content, and communities like The CMO Podcast , vYve helps entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and teams grow their businesses, strengthen their leadership, and build meaningful connections that last. Learn more about vYve and The CMO Podcast community at www.vyve.co . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .