Bringing Digital Brands from Screen to Shelf | Taylor Carlson, Group Nine Media

The Brand Licensing Podcast

June 18, 2021

For digital media firms, licensing has become a secret weapon. Group Nine Media’s VP of Brand Development, Taylor Carlson, is talking with us about how names like The Dodo and POPSUGAR have extended their brands from screen to shelf.

About Our Guest

Taylor Carlson is currently the Vice President of Brand Development at Group Nine Media where she is responsible for diversifying the company’s commercial strategy for its entire portfolio which includes POPSUGAR, The Dodo, NowThis, Thrillist, and Seeker. Prior to the merger, Carlson spearheaded the strategy for POPSUGAR and launched the company’s licensing and consumer products business which contributed to POPSUGAR achieving profitability. Capitalizing on POPSUGAR’s core content verticals and consumer passion points, she inked a strategic partnership with Kohls for POPSUGAR’s first apparel collection available in 500 stores nationwide. Additionally, she was responsible for launching Beauty By POPSUGAR which was available exclusively at Ulta and now has expanded distribution to Macy’s and Kohls.  Carlson has also been instrumental in building brand equity through the introduction of POPSUGAR Play/Ground, the company’s first-ever experiential festival for 10,000 women. By prioritizing differentiated revenue streams and strong brand collaborations, Carlson is guiding POPSUGAR to expand from a media company into a lifestyle brand.

Before joining POPSUGAR, Carlson built and oversaw the experiential and integrated marketing teams at goop, where she shaped the company’s monetization strategy with value-driven partnerships. As their first brand marketing hire, Carlson helped double Goop’s partnership revenue YoY and conceptualize the brand’s experiential tentpoles such as, In Goop Health Summit, GOOP pop-up shop partnership integrations, and more. She was recognized by Biz Bash as an Innovator in 2017. Prior to goop, Taylor was at CARAT and Alison Brod Marketing & Communications working as an agency lead on brands such as GODIVA Chocolate, The Gruppo Campari portfolio, Mercedes-Benz, Howard Hughes, and more.


Tune in below to Taylor’s episode, or check it out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe!

IMC Licensing Logo Mark

Related Articles

  • The 5 Pillars of Successful Licensing | Featuring the IMC Team

    Join us this week for a new episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast! The IMC team will be taking a closer…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    September 14, 2021

  • Licensing Through a Data-Driven Lens | Gary Symons, The Licensing Letter

    Ready to take a look at licensing through a data-driven lens? Today, we’re digging into the data behind the licensing…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    August 4, 2021

  • What’s Next for the Licensing Industry | Maura Regan, Licensing International

    We’re ringing in our new season of The Brand Licensing Podcast with the President of Licensing International, Maura Regan. On…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 12, 2021

  • 14 Industry Insights from Today’s Top Experts | Season 1 Highlight Episode

    Today marks one year of The Brand Licensing Podcast! To celebrate, we’re looking back at our first season and the incredible insights our guests have…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 6, 2021

  • Bringing Digital Brands from Screen to Shelf | Taylor Carlson, Group Nine Media

    For digital media firms, licensing has become a secret weapon. Group Nine Media’s VP of Brand Development, Taylor Carlson, is talking with us about…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    June 18, 2021

  • Managing Licensing Programs in Multiple Markets | Timo Olkkola, Flowhaven

    Today, we’re welcoming Timo Olkkola to the podcast! As CCO and Co-founder of Flowhaven, Timo will be sharing his insights on international licensing and…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    May 28, 2021

  • The Top Retail Trends You Need to Know | Michelle Lamb and Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf

    Today, we’re welcoming our first-ever duo to The Brand Licensing Podcast! Michelle Lamb of The Trend Curve and Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf of Project Partners…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    April 30, 2021

  • Negotiating Licensing Contracts That Last | Julie Brown, IMC Licensing

    We’re welcoming Julie Brown to The Brand Licensing Podcast! As IMC’s VP of Client Services, Julie is bringing her expertise in deal negotiation and…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    April 16, 2021

  • How to Handle RFPs Like a Pro | Luka Erceg, GEP

    On this episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast, we’re getting the inside scoop on RFPs with Luka Erceg of GEP. About…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    March 29, 2021

  • Cultivating a Creative Brand Strategy | Alaina Caldwell, StyleWorks Creative

    Ready for a new episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast? Tune in next week to hear the latest and greatest on…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    March 1, 2021

  • The Rules of Royalty Accounting | Vincent Leoni, Miller Kaplan

    From royalties to GMRs, the financial side of licensing can feel overwhelming. But no need to fear! This week’s episode…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    February 1, 2021

  • Leveraging Digital Marketing for Your Licensing Program | Natalie DiBlasi, LACED Agency

    This week on The Brand Licensing Podcast, we’re sitting down with digital marketing maven, Natalie DiBlasi. Bringing her brains as…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    January 18, 2021

  • The Next Level in Gaming Licensing | Lauren Fields Conlon, Loaded

    From Ninja to Shroud, the gaming industry’s top content creators are reaching new levels through licensing. On The Brand Licensing Podcast, we’re taking a…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    December 16, 2020

  • The Future of Sports Licensing | Terése Whitehead, NFL Players Association

    Get ready for today’s guest on The Brand Licensing Podcast, Terése Whitehead! While Terése is currently keeping score at the…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    November 18, 2020

  • A Fresh Perspective on Licensing | Lauren DeLapa, IMC Licensing

    On the latest installment of The Brand Licensing Podcast, we’re sitting down with Lauren DeLapa from IMC Licensing. As an Associate Account Manager,…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    September 9, 2020

  • Pet Licensing in the Pandemic | Steven Shweky, Fetch for Pets

    On the latest episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast, we’re sitting down with Steven Shweky, President of Fetch for Pets,…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    August 10, 2020

  • Understanding Retail Marketing | Randy Golenberg, Spark Your Brand

    On the latest episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast, President of Spark Your Brand, Randy Golenberg, sat down to discuss the nitty-gritty of retail marketing.  Randy…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

  • The Power of a Style Guide for Your Licensing Program | Tom Froberg, StyleWorks

    On this episode of The Brand Licensing Podcast, we are joined by Partner and Creative Director of StyleWorks, Tom Froberg. Our conversation dives deep into…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

  • Managing Licensing Programs with CRM Software | Nate Cavanaugh, Brainbase

    Joining us on The Brand Licensing Podcast is co-founder and CEO of Brainbase, Nate Cavanaugh. On this episode, we take a closer look…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

  • The Brand Licensing Podcast Official Launch

    It’s launch day! The Brand Licensing Podcast is officially live to listeners, and we couldn’t be more excited. Check out our first three…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

  • The Brand Licensing Podcast – Launch Lineup

    We’re counting down the days until the launch of The Brand Licensing Podcast and can’t wait to share our upcoming…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

  • Introducing The Brand Licensing Podcast

    Our team is excited to announce the launch of The Brand Licensing Podcast. The podcast will be available across streaming platforms on July…

    The Brand Licensing Podcast

    July 23, 2020

Services

Licensing is a relationship not merely between brands, but among people. At IMC, we build and nurture both of those relationships while delivering top-notch customer care that treats — and protects — your brand as if it were our own.

About Us

We’re committed to fostering dynamic brand alliances. Often those alliances are born from one brand’s need and another’s ability to meet that need. The IMC team are experts at recognizing and creating those opportunities, but our real expertise is people. Standing side by side, as consultants, partners, peers, and as friends, we’re driven by a singular purpose: creating a smart idea.