Time to Shake Things Up in the CBD Industry

Diving into the Weed(s)

I moved to California for many reasons, one being a desire to live in a legal cannabis state. No, not because of any recreational hobbies, although my college roommates might say otherwise. Truthfully, I wanted to be close to the action when cannabis marketing really took off. CBD's potential to change the way we look at herbal medicine fascinates me.

My dream when I arrived in California was to become a pioneer in the cannabis marketing industry. Upon my arrival in San Francisco, I dove headfirst into the weeds learning as much as I could about the cannabis and CBD world. I attended trade shows like the New West Summit. Through my writing, I gained press access to cannabis conventions like the Emerald Cup. I struck up conversations with budtenders at dispensaries about what products they really enjoyed. After 9 months working at ad agency Pereira O’Dell, I pivoted into a pharmaceutical marketing role at Havas San Francisco. I gained experience in marketing regulated products so that when the time came, I’d be ready for the cannabis world.

Today, I took a step towards making that closer to reality. I'm excited to announce that I've been named the Head of Marketing for Champions and Legends, a sports-performance CBD company.

I'm excited to announce that I've been named the Head of Marketing for Champions and Legends, a sports-performance CBD company.

Champions and Legends

Pioneering a New Era in Sports-Performance

I will certainly need to flex my pharmaceutical marketing experience in my position at Champions and Legends. While Champions and Legends derives its products from hemp rather than cannabis (meaning the CBD is extracted from hemp plants and has no psychoactive component), restrictions around the marketing of CBD are still very tight. I couldn’t be more excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Premiere athletes choose premiere products, and we’ve already partnered with numerous athletes at the pinnacle of their sport.  I'm thrilled to be working with elite athletes such as  Thor Bjornsson, James Harrison, Adam Ondra, Tommy Caldwell, Sara Sigmunds, and Patrick Vellner. Our athletes believe in our products and align beautifully with the Champions and Legends brand and ethos.  Prepare, perform, recover, repeat. It’s a simple formula.

Thor Bjornsson, widely known for his role as The Mountain on HBO hit series, Game of Thrones, has also been recognized as the World’s Strongest Man. Photo by Andrew Testa

my Catalyst for Joining Champions and Legends

“I won’t reach the career goals I’ve set for myself by climbing the corporate ladder.”

After conversations with my father, a man who has spent his entire career in construction law, I came to a realization. I’m never going to reach the goals I set for myself by playing it safe. That’s not who I am.

The people I look up to most don’t follow usual career trajectories. I’ve followed Taylor Offer, the founder and CEO of Feat, for awhile now. I’ve always admired his story. He involved himself in several internships and ambassador programs at UMASS-Amherst, spent a year or two in the corporate saddle at LinkedIn, and went on to become a millionaire (I think?) after starting his own company. He aims to paint a real picture of entrepreneurship, and now it’s time for me to paint my own canvas.

I want to be the CEO, CMO, or similar at a company that makes the world better. I wrote that goal down on a note that now sticks to my laptop. Today, I’m one step closer to it than I was yesterday.  I’m over-the-moon about the opportunity to join Champions and Legends, but it unfortunately means I must say goodbye to Havas San Francisco.

Havas San FranciscO

the gold standard

To those reading in the pharmaceutical marketing industry - you should look at Havas San Francisco’s leadership, talent, and culture as the gold standard.

Monette, I know for certain this post will somehow find its way onto your computer screen. I want you to know that no leader, boss, coach, or teacher stacks up against you. No one can match the passion, commitment, transparency, and focus you showcased during my time at Havas San Francisco. I can say the exact same things about Ernie, Denise, and Caine. 

Not too many people say their co-workers inspire them, but for the past year and a half mine did. My colleagues at Havas San Francisco were brilliant. Even fewer people say their co-workers became their closest friends outside of work. I do, thanks to people like Sarah Rasmussen, Ashley Bostwick, Mia Musso, and Allan Cameron.

The work I did and the people I worked with at Havas will always be special to me. We helped people and changed lives for the better.

All Systems Go for Champions and Legends

My role begins on August 24th. In the meantime, follow Champions and Legends on Instagram and stay tuned for much more to come!