Get Your Branding DIALED in With Doug Zarkin

In today’s episode, we have the pleasure to interview Doug Zarkin, author of “Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone.” Doug is a marketing executive, brand strategist, and leadership expert with a career spanning top global brands. He has led transformations at Victoria’s Secret PINK, Avon, and Pearle Vision, helping them scale into multi-million and billion-dollar brands. With a background in advertising, omnichannel retail, and franchise development, Doug specializes in revitalizing brands by building deep emotional connections with customers. His work has earned Effie and Clio awards, and even a Harvard Business School case study on brand revival. In this episode, Doug breaks down how to turn casual customers into lifelong brand advocates, why trust and emotional connection matter more than discounts, and how to avoid the biggest branding mistakes businesses make today. He also shares his “Thinking Human” philosophy—a strategy that applies not just to marketing but to leadership, customer experience, and even personal growth. If you want to future-proof your business, create a brand people truly love, and avoid being stuck in the ‘friend zone’ with your customers, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. We hope you enjoy this incredible conversation with Doug Zarkin!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XVYIgghnWUg?si=n2bEd4wYN6FqXf45