In Episode 7 of this season’s Digital and Dirt Podcast, Ian welcomes Leili Riegel, Senior Associate Brand Manager for Innovation and Strategy at Nestle. During the episode, Leili discusses her career in brand management and details how empathy, consumer insights, and holistic health shapes and impacts marketing strategies and product development at Nestle.

Highlights of this week’s episode include:

• Career Journey: Leili discusses her unique career path, starting with studying public policy to entering public relations at Edelman before moving to Wendy’s and Nestle where she led innovative marketing campaigns. She explains how personal experiences have shaped her passions.

• Innovation in Food & Packaging: She emphasizes how packaging and product innovation are increasingly important for both consumer convenience and capturing attention.

• Consumer-Centric Approach: Leili stresses the importance of listening to consumer insights and creating products that address real demand. She explains how Nestlé strives to understand consumer behavior and develop appropriate products.

• Women's Health & Family Support: Nestlé’s commitment to supporting and understanding consumers throughout their lives, from baby food to lifelong wellness, is evident within the company’s focus on women's health, creation of products for infants, as well as wellness products developed for women. 

• Community and Well-being: Leili’s passion for holistic health extends to her personal interests, which include yoga. She connects yoga to her work by focusing on how food and shared experiences build community. 

To learn more about Leili Reigel and Nestle, tune in to the full episode streaming on all popular podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music.