Episode 25: Preeya Goenke - Own Your Audience, Why Brands Can't Rent Their Customers Anymore

Own Your Audience: Why Brands Can't Rent Their Customers Anymore | Featuring Preeya Goenka, Chief Customer Officer at beehiv In a world where algorithms change overnight, AI is reshaping discovery, and social platforms control who sees your content, one question has never been more important: Who actually owns your customer relationship? Recorded live from Cannes, Cristina Marinucci and Jacqui Dynowski sit down with Preeya Goenka , Chief Customer Officer at beehiv , to unpack why the future of commerce belongs to brands that own—not rent—their audience. Preeya shares why newsletters have become one of the fastest-growing strategic assets for brands, creators, and publishers alike, explaining how email remains one of the few channels where businesses truly control the customer journey—from content creation and distribution to engagement and long-term loyalty. Together, they explore why many brands are still overly focused on customer acquisition while neglecting retention, why repeat purchase may be the most valuable growth metric, and how meaningful customer relationships are built through relevance, consistency, and trust—not simply discounts or promotions. The conversation also dives deep into AI's rapidly evolving role in marketing. Rather than replacing people, Preeya argues that the greatest opportunity lies in using AI to amplify human creativity, strengthen personalization, and help brands create memorable customer experiences without losing authenticity. Listeners will also hear candid perspectives on: Why platform dependency has become one of the biggest risks facing modern brands The resurgence of newsletters as powerful storytelling and commerce channels The future of creator businesses and why quality audiences outperform vanity metrics What true personalization looks like—and where brands continue to miss the mark How data can become a competitive advantage when paired with thoughtful customer experiences Why every company is becoming a media company Leadership lessons from scaling one of the fastest-growing creator platforms The importance of mentorship, confidence, and speaking up as women advance into leadership roles The episode closes with an honest discussion about confidence, imposter syndrome, and why women shouldn't wait until they feel "100% ready" before pursuing the next opportunity. Preeya shares practical advice on advocating for yourself, building influence, and finding your voice—even when you're not the loudest person in the room. Whether you're leading a consumer brand, building a creator business, growing a newsletter, or navigating leadership in today's AI-driven landscape, this conversation offers practical insights for creating stronger customer relationships that last beyond the next algorithm update. Because in today's commerce landscape, the brands that own their audience will ultimately own their future. Bold Brands. Fierce Women. One Sisterhood. SHeCOMMERCE:  Website : https://shecommercepodcast.com/ LinkedIN:   https://www.linkedin.com/company/shecommercepodcast/  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@SHeCOMMERCEPodcast DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from SHeCOMMERCE Podcast or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SHeCOMMERCE Podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SHeCOMMERCE Podcast expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual’s use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the informat