Episode 95
Brand Story Podcast

Building Brand Loyalty

featuring Phyllis Rothschild

CMO of Pete & Gerry's Organics

Phyllis Rothschild, CMO of Pete & Gerry's Organics, shares her thoughts on what builds brand loyalty with our president, Steve Gilman.

What does it take to build a brand that consumers not only buy, but believe in? For Pete & Gerry’s Organics, the answer is clarity, consistency, and a mission-driven approach to marketing.

In this episode, we explore how a brand in a commodity category found a way to stand out by focusing on what really matters—its audience. After decades of consulting on brand and loyalty strategy, Phyllis took on the challenge of building a purpose-led CPG brand from the inside. The result is a case study in how to stay authentic, differentiate in a crowded market, and connect with consumers on an emotional level.

We dig into what true loyalty looks like beyond discounts, why consistency is the antidote to “brand whiplash,” and how calculated risks can keep a brand relevant without losing its core. Whether you’re selling eggs or enterprise software, the principles remain the same: know your audience, stay true to your mission, and never underestimate the power of authenticity.

About the Guest

Phyllis Rothschild

CMO of Pete & Gerry's Organics

Phyllis is the Chief Marketing Officer at Pete and Gerry’s Organics, where she helps redefine what it means to grow a modern food brand. With decades of experience in the consulting space, she has a proven track record of creating, nurturing, and scaling businesses and brands that generate sustainable, profitable growth in rapidly changing environments. Before Pete and Gerry’s, she worked for many years at McKinsey, leading their brand and loyalty practice.

Quickfire Q&A

Is there any kind of red thread that speaks to all the brand work that you've done?

Phyllis: It’s really honing in on who your target customer is and thinking about “how am I going to use that consumer as a muse for what my brand stands for.” Because if you try to be all things to all people, then it just gets lost and you end up being sort of plain vanilla and nobody really knows what you stand for or what the brand means.

What is the one thing that you wish marketers understood more clearly about loyalty?

Phyllis: That you build loyalty on things other than discounts. Whether it’s formal programs like loyalty clubs or even just informal, loyalty-driving efforts rely too heavily on a price transaction, as opposed to truly understanding what it is and why consumers make the choices they make, and then building out rewards and recognition and experiences that solidify that loyalty over time.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Phyllis: You have to earn your confidence, and the only way you can is by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone periodically. At the time, it feels awful, but it’s very much worth it.

Related Links

Phyllis on LinkedIn

About The Host

Steve Gilman

As the President of Gravity Group, Steve is passionate about helping brands reach their goals through honest, creative marketing and powerful brand stories.

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