Recorded live at the Marketecture Live Conference in New York City, this episode brings together Cosette Chaput, CEO & Co-Founder, Always Alpha; Allyson Felix, Co-Founder, Always Alpha; Wes Felix, Co-Founder, Always Alpha; and Zoe Ruderman, Chief Content Officer, ADWEEK, to unpack how female athletes are reshaping brand strategy, storytelling, and ROI.
From breaking outdated sports marketing models to building authentic athlete-driven campaigns, this conversation dives into why brands need to rethink their approach now, before the window closes ahead of LA28.
Takeaways
Women’s sports is a high-growth business, not a trend, delivering strong and compounding ROI.
Traditional sports marketing models were built for men and do not translate effectively to female audiences.
Brands miss the mark by targeting male audiences instead of engaging female consumers authentically.
Female athletes outperform influencers in engagement and trust despite having smaller followings.
The biggest opportunity lies in storytelling. Female athletes bring relatable, real-life narratives that drive deeper connection.
Waiting until major events like the Olympics is too late. Effective campaigns require long-term buildup.
Investment in women’s sports is currently top-heavy, creating sustainability risks if the broader ecosystem is not developed.
Brands that win collaborate with athletes as partners, not just endorsers.
Categories like beauty are leading the way, while sectors like finance and automotive still lag behind.
The window of opportunity is open but closing fast as competition and valuations rise.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the session and why women’s sports matter now
00:56 The origin story of Always Alpha
02:43 The problem with one-size-fits-all athlete representation
03:18 Why women’s sports is still misunderstood as a trend
04:40 Why traditional sports marketing does not work for women
05:32 Looking ahead to LA28 and the future of brand investment
06:19 The risk of a women’s sports bubble
08:15 What brands should be doing differently by LA28
09:08 The power of 360 storytelling in women’s sports
10:15 Authenticity and relatability as marketing advantages
11:23 What brands are getting wrong today
12:39 Why storytelling beats templated campaigns
14:05 Female athletes vs influencers, engagement and impact
15:19 ROI in women’s sports and brand trust
16:07 The education gap with brands entering sports
16:59 Why brands need to act now
17:26 Categories leading the way (beauty, retail)
18:17 Opportunities in underrepresented industries
19:00 How Always Alpha defines success today
20:17 What is driving optimism for the future
23:05 Closing remarks
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