Influencer trips are dead and they’re killing your organic brand advocacy.

This episode is your permission slip to stop burning budget on one-off influencer posts and replace them with an advocacy engine that compounds over time and generates serious EMV.

In this advocacy masterclass, we break down a clear 3-step system to build organic brand advocates: the customers, creators, and community members who talk about you relentlessly without a pay cheque in sight. If you’re deep in your influencer strategy and unsure how to switch that to building real brand advocacy, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the traditional influencer marketing model is broken in 2026

• The 3 steps to building a customer-powered advocacy engine

• How to turn brand customers into high-impact brand ambassadors

• The difference between one-off “influencer trips” and scalable advocacy systems

• How to calculate EMV so you can prove ROI to your CMO, CFO, or board

If you want to build a brand that customers proudly talk about, this 3-step strategy is your new advocacy playbook.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why influencer marketing is broken

04:29 The problem with influencer trips & brand dinners

06:10 Building an organic advocacy engine: map your brand network

07:41 Activating advocates: channels, CRM, and ROI of marketing to fans

11:14 The 3-part framework: Who → Activities → Rewards (airline loyalty lessons)

14:13 Advocacy is a feeling: experiences, founder hustle, and early community building

16:43 From influencer pyramid to advocate segments (pro vs amateur vs semi-pro)

19:23 Measuring real brand advocacy: real EMV, revenue, and content value

24:05 The most untapped opportunity: employees & retail teams as advocates

26:36 90-second tactical recap + wrap-up

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CONNECT WITH PAUL & VERITY

Paul: www.linkedin.com/in/paulkarcher/

Verity: www.linkedin.com/in/verityhurd/

FOLLOW US

Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@buildingbrandadvocacy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/building_brand_advocacy

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@building.brand.advocacy

Most brands think they have a community, but they’re actively building an audience, not community engagement. In this week's episode, we dive into community building strategy with Sophie Miller, Founder of Pretty Little Marketer. Sophie reveals why relying on followers alone is a dangerous game for modern brands.

“If you don't build your community, someone else will define it for you”. We break down exactly how to transition from "broadcasting" to "building" and why community-led growth is the most defensible asset your brand can own in this era of digital marketing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The exact 3-step system to build a loyal brand community.

• Audience vs. Community: The critical difference that most marketing teams miss.

• Why silence is a liability and how to take ownership of your brand narrative.

• How to turn passive followers into active brand advocates.

Whether you are a Social Media Manager or a Brand Director, this episode covers the marketing strategy you need to future-proof your brand.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Sophie Miller

02:25 The Birth of Pretty Little Marketer

04:50 From Despare to Community Building

06:35 Strategic Growth and Community Engagement

13:22 Community Monetisation and Membership Launch

20:28 The Power of Community in Business

21:04 Navigating LinkedIn and Social Media

22:51 Building a Community-First Strategy

24:01 3 Pillars of PLM's Community

28:30 Measuring Community Success

33:30 Common Mistakes in Community Building

37:26 Final Thoughts and Community Advice for Brands

🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss an episode.

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiealicemiller/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiemillerrrr/

Pretty Little Marketer: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prettylittlemarketer/

FOLLOW US

Verity: www.linkedin.com/in/verityhurd/

Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@buildingbrandadvocacy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/building_brand_advocacy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@building.brand.advocacy

In this episode of Building Brand Advocacy, we sit down with Emily Heath, Global Brand Director of Rexona | Sure, to unpack how one of the world’s biggest, everyday deodorant brands is building true brand awareness and community through sports partnerships.

Emily shares her extensive experience working with Unilever over 17 years and provides insights into managing a global brand. Discover how sport partnerships, particularly in football, have played a crucial role in enhancing brand engagement and creating emotional connections with fans. Emily also touches on the tactical side of sports marketing, leveraging AI in brand marketing, and maintaining brand advocacy outside of major campaigns. Tune in for an in-depth conversation filled with valuable strategies and tips for marketers at any level.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Rexona | Sure uses sport to drive authentic brand awareness

• What “good” looks like in global sporting partnerships, and how to maximise them

• The rise of female sports and how to advocate for it as a global brand

• The role of ambassadors and athletes for a global brand

• How to engage and activate community at global scale, while still feeling local and human

• Where AI fits into the future of brand building and how Rexona | Sure are already tapping into it

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:39 The Evolution of Sports Marketing at Rexona

04:22 Expanding into Female Sports Partnerships

07:47 Maximizing the Value of Global Sports Partnerships

10:48 How To Gain Value from Brand Ambassadors

17:45 Sports Marketing Strategies for Smaller Brands

20:51 Exploring Brand Advocacy Beyond Major Campaigns

22:07 Leveraging Cultural Moments for Brand Relevance

25:01 The Impact of AI on Brand Marketing

28:56 Quick Fire Round: Personal Insights and Fun Facts

🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss an episode.

CONNECT WITH EMILY

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-heath-84a20b14/

FOLLOW US

Verity: www.linkedin.com/in/verityhurd/

Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@buildingbrandadvocacy

Instagram: www.instagram.com/building_brand_advocacy

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@building.brand.advocacy