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Renee Caceres is head of retail media at digital advertising platform StackAdapt.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? Did you notice an ad for the cereal you’re almost out of while checking the score of last night’s game? Or when you were watching Hulu? Or when you were scrolling through your phone? Did you click on it? Did you buy it from your favorite retailer? You’re welcome.
One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? You might have guessed it, but let me confirm—this is one of the smartest, most collaborative groups of changemakers I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. What you wouldn’t guess from LinkedIn is the depth of innovation, heart, and pure grit that goes into our day to day. It’s a place where no two days look alike, that keeps me on my toes and constantly learning. Behind the scenes, we push each other to rethink challenges, pivot when we need to, and build where we can instill change. Our ethos is service, speed, and innovation and there’s a collective drive to see each other succeed both personally and professionally.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Hands down it was Fashion Week + Starbucks Frappuccino with PepsiCo. I was working at OMD, still early in my career and very new to NYC. We sponsored one of the fashion shows complete with specialty cocktails at the bar, swag bag inclusion, and green room placements. It was so much fun to be behind the scenes at an event as big as NYFW with a client as much fun as PepsiCo.
Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? I’m obviously biased in my answer, but I’d have to say retail and commerce media. There is such an exciting opportunity forming at the epicenter of retailer, brand, and customer, and if we do it right, everyone wins, especially the customer. I’ve been so inspired by the knowledge cross share of new RMNs, brand feedback, and agency lean-in to make the vision a reality. Democratization of retail and commerce media is both possible, and beneficial.
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What’s your go-to coffee order? I’m very seasonal, so in the summer it’s cold brew all day, and in the winter it’s an Americano. Black, no room for cream or sugar, just the good stuff! And speaking of good stuff, I’m partial to local or regional coffee shops because my dad had a coffee shop of his own when I was younger. Supporting small/local businesses whenever possible is incredibly important to me.
Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Treat yourself.” While indulging here and there is super important, I would also recommend putting some guardrails around that. Which it turns out, I’m not really great at, and my credit card would agree. Honestly, I feel like I should be treated every day. “It’s Tuesday,” “I’ve earned it,” “But it’s on sale!” There can always be a reason if you really think about it. And unfortunately for my husband, I think about it a lot!
What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? I have to be careful here or I’m really going to date myself, but I’d say a disposable camera. Not only do I miss the nostalgia of trying to get through an entire roll, but forgetting what was on there when you went to go get the photos developed. You could wait days, or weeks, for them to come back, only to find a solid one-third of them were blurry, darkened out, or of your index finger. Angles and posing weren’t top of mind; your only goal was to capture every moment, and make a giant scrapbook with the good ones. Today, I am loving my Grace & Stella under eye masks. With me traveling so much recently, I really couldn’t imagine not having them as my little travel companion.