What happens when decades of marketing experience collide with the fastest technological shift the industry has ever seen?

In this episode of Stacked with Jennifer LaForge, Jennifer sits down with Randy Weyersberg, CEO of AI Catalyst and a veteran marketing executive whose 40+ year career has included IBM, Unilever, Mars, Nike, Bell and OLG.

Randy shares his perspective on how AI, MarTech and data are fundamentally changing the way brands connect with consumers - and why marketers can no longer afford to build six-month plans in a world that changes by the day. Instead, he argues for faster pilots, a portfolio of ideas and a willingness to move before everything is perfect.

Jennifer and Randy also dig into the growing importance of data and attribution, why Marketing Mix Modeling is becoming even more powerful alongside AI, and how new technology is making it possible to measure channels like affiliate, retail media and influencer marketing in ways traditional models struggled to capture.
They explore what consumers actually want from loyalty programs, why simplicity and frictionless experiences matter, and how brands can use technology to create more value without sacrificing trust. For Randy, the goal is simple: make it easy for customers to get what they want, when they want it and how they want it.

The conversation also tackles one of marketing's biggest challenges in the AI era: trust. From fake reviews and questionable products to increasingly sophisticated technology, Randy explains why brands that protect the customer and build trust over time will have the advantage - and why consumers still need to “trust but verify.”
Whether you're a marketer, business leader, loyalty professional or simply curious about how AI is changing the way we shop and make decisions, this episode offers a practical look at where marketing has been - and where it's going next.

What actually makes a customer stay loyal?

It’s not just points, discounts, or rewards. Often, it comes down to whether a customer feels understood, valued, and taken care of - especially when something goes wrong.

In this episode of Stacked with Jennifer LaForge, Jennifer sits down with Reja Mulloor, Director of Engagement at Rakuten.ca, to explore what customer retention really looks like behind the scenes.

Reja shares why retaining an existing customer can be more valuable than constantly chasing new ones, how brands can turn feedback into better experiences, and why “surprise and delight” still plays such an important role in building long-term loyalty.

They also discuss referral programs, creating shopping habits, the balance between acquisition and retention, and why one poor customer experience can undo years of loyalty if it isn’t handled properly.

The conversation also looks ahead at how AI is changing personalization and customer engagement, including the fine line between creating a useful experience and crossing into what Reja calls the “creep factor.”

Later, Reja shares her personal definition of value, why consumers should be more intentional about the loyalty programs they choose, and how brands can earn a lasting place in a customer’s wallet by investing in the entire relationship — not just the transaction.
Whether you work in marketing, loyalty, retail, customer experience, or simply want to understand why some brands earn your loyalty while others lose it, this episode offers a practical look at what keeps customers coming back.

What if the smartest way to shop was actually to buy less?

In this episode of Stacked, Jennifer LaForge sits down with Esther Garnick, Closet Editor & Wardrobe Consultant at EG Wardrobe Edit, to explore how we can build wardrobes that make us feel better, spend smarter, and stop accumulating clothes we never actually wear.

After two decades in PR and a period of professional burnout, Esther unexpectedly discovered a new calling helping women edit their closets, rethink how they shop, and use clothing as a tool for confidence and self-expression.

Esther shares why cost per wear matters more than the price tag, how emotional triggers and online influencers can lead to panic purchases, and why a sale isn't really a deal if the item spends its life hanging in your closet. They also explore investing in timeless basics, mixing high and low price points, using consignment and wish lists to save money, and recognizing when something truly works for you.

Whether you love shopping or dread opening your closet, this conversation offers a practical and refreshingly honest look at how to spend with more intention, waste less, and build a wardrobe around the life you actually live.