Forms of Recreation: Customer Retention

In this episode, we talk about how brands can help adults send a signal to others who share the same hobby. Marketing teams, this episode is for you. And for adults, this is for you too. Every episode is based on what people send in, message boards I read online, or the great conversations I've had with others. I give brands a perspective on problems adults face in the world we all live in, and th...

In this episode, we talk about how brands can help adults who have forgotten the joy of play. Marketing teams, this episode is for you. And for adults, this is for you too. Every episode is based on what people send in, message boards I read online, or the great conversations I've had with others. I give brands a perspective on problems adults face in the world we all live in, and the opportunitie...

In this episode? What life after retirement is like for most adults, and how it can be better with the help of brands. Marketing teams, this episode is for you. And for adults, this is for you too. Every episode is based on what people send in, message boards I read online, or the great conversations I've had with others. I give brands a perspective on problems adults face in the world we all live...

Starting next week, you will hear what we call the Voice of the Customer , hosted by yours truly, André Brathwaite. It will be based on what people send in, message boards I read online, and the great conversations I've had with others. I'll be giving brands a perspective on problems adults face in the world we all live in, and the opportunities to solve them. Listening to this episode is just one...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve likely heard our previous episodes featuring renowned brands from around the globe. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the five best episodes of Spring ‘26 , featuring Nintendo, Van Cleef & Arpels, Concha y Toro, Disney, and Osulloc. Thriving brands that extend beyond selling products; they provide hobby-driven experiences. Listening to this episode...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Camper, the shoe manufacturer founded in Spain in 1975. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of Camper, founded by Lorenzo Fluxà, and how he turned his passion for shoemaking into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including a club called The Walking Society , places such as Ca...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of SCARPA, the mountaineering and climbing shoe manufacturer founded in Italy in 1938. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of SCARPA, founded by Rupert Guinness, and how the Parisotto family turned their passion for shoemaking into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including pla...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Nintendo, the video game and electronics manufacturer founded in Japan in 1889. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Fusajiro Yamauchi turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including places (Super Nintendo World [ Japan , Los Angeles , and Or...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Gymshark, the fitness apparel brand founded in England in 2012. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Ben Francis turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including places ( Gymshark Stores and Gymshark Lifting Club), and activities ( Gymshark Li...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Porsche, the car manufacturer founded in Germany in 1931. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Ferdinand Porsche turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including clubs ( Porsche Clubs Worldwide and Porsche GT Circle ), locations ( Porsche Expe...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Merrell, the outdoor footwear brand founded in the United States in 1981. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Randy Merrell turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: hobby-driven experiences, including activities ( Merrell Hiking Club , Merrell Urban Hiking Guides , and...

Are you part of a marketing team? You’ve probably heard of Concha y Toro, the wine producer founded in Chile in 1883. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including a location (Centro de Vino and Casa Don Melchor in Maipo Valley,...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Osulloc, the Korean tea producer founded in South Korea in 1979. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Suh Sung-whan turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations (Osulloc Tea Houses in multiple cities ) and activities (tours and tea brewing classes at Os...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Eataly, the Italian marketplace founded in Italy in 2007. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how founder Oscar Farinetti turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations (Eataly Stores in multiple cities ) and activities (events, cooking classes, and market tours in...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Cohiba, the cigar manufacturer founded in Cuba in 1966. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of how former president Fidel Castro turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations (Cohiba Atmosphere in multiple cities ) and activities (El Laguito Cigar Factory Tour). Liste...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Johnnie Walker, the spirit distiller brand founded in Scotland in 1820. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, John Walker, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including a location (The Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Scotland), and activities (A Journey Of Fl...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Disney, the film and entertainment brand founded in the United States in 1923. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Walt Disney, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including clubs (D23), locations ( Disney Parks in multiple cities and Disney Cruise Line to m...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Starbucks Reserve, the premium coffee brand founded by Starbucks in the United States in 2010. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its transformative CEO, Howard Schultz, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations ( Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in multiple c...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Swarovski Optik, the binoculars and scopes manufacturer founded in Austria in 1949. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Wilhelm Swarovski, who turned his passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations ( Campex in Europe and Rainforest in Costa Rica ), and activiti...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Lindt, the chocolate manufacturer founded in Switzerland in 1845. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Rodolphe Lindt, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations (Lindt House of Chocolate), and activities (Lindt Chocolateria Workshops). Listeni...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Mariage Frères, the tea purveyor brand founded in France in 1854. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, Henri and Édouard Mariage, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including locations (Tea Rooms), and activities. Listening to this episode is just one of...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of A24, the independent filmmaking studio founded in New York in 2012. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, Daniel Katz, David Fenkel, and John Hodges, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Hobby-driven experiences, including a club (AAA24), locations (Cherry Lane Theatre), and activiti...

Founders. You’ve probably heard of Van Cleef & Arpels, the renowned jewelry brand founded in France in 1906. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founders, Alfred Van Cleef & Charles Arpels, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Offering hobby-driven places and activities through its L’Ecole, School of Jewelry Arts. Lis...

You’ve probably heard of Patagonia, the renowned outdoor apparel brand founded in the United States in 1973. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Yvon Chouinard, who turned their passion into a lasting brand that uses a customer retention strategy: Offering hobby-driven activities through its Patagonia Action Works. Listening to this episode is just one of the many w...

You’ve probably heard of Steinway & Sons, the renowned piano manufacturer founded in the United States in 1853. Listen to host André Brathwaite share the backstory of its founder, Henry Steinway, who turned his passion into a lasting brand—so that you could enjoy piano playing as a hobby. Want more? Explore the many ways hobby-focused brands help you find and reconnect with hobbies at formsofr...