1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,350 - Bumble is so much more than just a brand to us. 2 00:00:03,350 --> 00:00:04,825 It really is a mission based company 3 00:00:04,825 --> 00:00:07,961 and if we lose sight of our values 4 00:00:07,961 --> 00:00:10,142 or our users at any moment in time, 5 00:00:10,142 --> 00:00:12,740 then it's very easy for us to just 6 00:00:12,740 --> 00:00:13,690 become another brand. 7 00:00:13,690 --> 00:00:15,390 My name is Alex Williamson. 8 00:00:15,390 --> 00:00:18,057 I am Bumble's Chief Brand Officer. 9 00:00:18,057 --> 00:00:20,640 (upbeat music) 10 00:00:21,870 --> 00:00:24,890 When you are starting out and branding a company, 11 00:00:24,890 --> 00:00:27,340 the best advice that I would give you 12 00:00:27,340 --> 00:00:30,937 is to think of the brand as a person 13 00:00:30,937 --> 00:00:33,086 or a character and let that person 14 00:00:33,086 --> 00:00:35,560 or character have an opinion. 15 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:36,873 Let them have a strong voice 16 00:00:36,873 --> 00:00:39,820 and don't compromise that for anything. 17 00:00:39,820 --> 00:00:42,760 The more relatable and authentic you can be, 18 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:44,987 I think people are tired of traditional 19 00:00:44,987 --> 00:00:46,459 branding and advertising 20 00:00:46,459 --> 00:00:49,800 and want to see their selves in their 21 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,680 inner most thoughts in these brands. 22 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:53,670 We were the first app of its kind 23 00:00:53,670 --> 00:00:55,070 where women were in control 24 00:00:55,070 --> 00:00:56,780 and so how do you get women involved? 25 00:00:56,780 --> 00:00:58,210 You create a relatable voice that 26 00:00:58,210 --> 00:00:59,970 women will want to be apart of 27 00:00:59,970 --> 00:01:03,250 and that a lot of that was just pulling together 28 00:01:03,250 --> 00:01:05,410 all of the stories that I've heard 29 00:01:05,410 --> 00:01:08,350 and where my friends were in their dating lives 30 00:01:08,350 --> 00:01:09,290 and where I was in mine 31 00:01:09,290 --> 00:01:12,619 and then making that a collective we 32 00:01:12,619 --> 00:01:15,562 and that's how the voice really came about. 33 00:01:15,562 --> 00:01:17,211 And I think that so many people 34 00:01:17,211 --> 00:01:19,140 need things to be perfect 35 00:01:19,140 --> 00:01:23,350 and perfect can so keep you from getting anywhere. 36 00:01:23,350 --> 00:01:26,010 I could list thousands of times that people, 37 00:01:26,010 --> 00:01:27,930 you know, that something could have been 38 00:01:27,930 --> 00:01:29,100 perceived as a mistake, 39 00:01:29,100 --> 00:01:30,490 but really it's just once you think 40 00:01:30,490 --> 00:01:31,350 of them as learnings 41 00:01:31,350 --> 00:01:34,900 and you pivot and you don't get so stuck on something, 42 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:36,290 options are really limitless, 43 00:01:36,290 --> 00:01:38,990 but you have to be willing to be scrappy 44 00:01:38,990 --> 00:01:41,242 and move fast and change your direction 45 00:01:41,242 --> 00:01:44,160 without ever compromising your mission 46 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:45,840 and what you're trying to accomplish 47 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,530 and I think that that leads everything. 48 00:01:48,530 --> 00:01:49,700 If you know what you're trying 49 00:01:49,700 --> 00:01:51,180 to put into the world, 50 00:01:51,180 --> 00:01:52,990 don't compromise that because some 51 00:01:52,990 --> 00:01:55,000 shiny opportunity comes along. 52 00:01:55,000 --> 00:01:56,850 You have to stay true to what you're doing 53 00:01:56,850 --> 00:01:58,610 and then that's how you build a following. 54 00:01:58,610 --> 00:01:59,700 People have to believe in it 55 00:01:59,700 --> 00:02:02,620 and if you don't believe in what you're building 56 00:02:02,620 --> 00:02:04,810 and you don't stand strong in that purpose 57 00:02:04,810 --> 00:02:05,700 and the truth of it, 58 00:02:05,700 --> 00:02:07,687 then you really are at the risk of 59 00:02:07,687 --> 00:02:10,697 losing your company to whatever 60 00:02:10,697 --> 00:02:12,920 seems popular at the time. 61 00:02:12,920 --> 00:02:14,250 I think in order to create something 62 00:02:14,250 --> 00:02:16,518 with staying power you have to constantly 63 00:02:16,518 --> 00:02:18,455 be checking in with the brand 64 00:02:18,455 --> 00:02:19,630 and with the company 65 00:02:19,630 --> 00:02:21,010 and making sure that it's staying in line 66 00:02:21,010 --> 00:02:22,671 with everything that you set out to do. 67 00:02:22,671 --> 00:02:25,254 (upbeat music)