Jeanniey Walden: Harnessing the AIR™ Approach to Empower Brands and Inspire Success
Jeanniey Walden has decades of experience building and transforming brands, creating customer connections and driving significant business growth using a proprietary approach she calls “AIR(™).” AIR stands for Authenticity, Inspiration and Relatability. On her TV show she engages celebrities, C- Suite and entrepreneurial guests utilizing this approach and discusses key topics that enable viewers to be inspired and find the mentorship and solutions they need to succeed.
Jeanniey Walden’s Leadership and Industry Contributions
Jeanniey Walden’s leadership and industry contributions can be seen throughout her career. Most recently, she led the brand transformation in the retail pharmacy industry that supported the Rite Aid emergence from bankruptcy. Early on, she pioneered the creation of the first wearable tech jewelry line for teens at Ringblingz, launched the first digital publishing newstands for the Apple, Google, and Samsung platforms at Zinio, established the first industry trade organization for email marketing called the Email Experience Council (EEC) which is now currently run by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), and created the first email marketing division of an ad agency at Grey Direct.
Throughout her career, Walden has received numerous accolades, including being named “Women Leader of the Year” by the Internet Marketing Association and being featured at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2018. Jeanniey was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Brand Marketing in 2024 by Brand Innovators. She was also chosen to receive the Empowered Woman of the Year Award for 2023 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).Jeanniey was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Brand Marketing in 2024 by Brand Innovators. She was also chosen to receive the Empowered Woman of the Year Award for 2023 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP).
Jeanniey Walden: Acclaimed Author and Marketing Expert
Jeanniey Walden is an author who has written several books, with a focus on marketing and business strategies. Among her works is the best-selling book Email Marketing An Hour a Day. This particular book has seen significant international success, being republished in over 15 countries. Jeanniey’s writings provide insights into email marketing techniques, reflecting her expertise in the field.
Jeanniey Walden’s Role in Transforming DailyPay, Rite Aid and Thrifty Ice Cream
Jeanniey Walden has a unique ability to reimagine a brand through the eyes of the customer in a way that enables her to transform the way brands perform. In 2015 Jeanniey spearheaded a business transformation for Nook by Barnes and Noble shifting their business model from hardware to software and realigning them among a competitive environment. In 2019, Jeanniey Walden joined DailyPay as the first female C-suite executive, showcasing her ability to create not only a thriving brand, but also positioning DailyPay as the leading player in the fintech space. She moved into her current roles at Rite Aid and Thrifty Ice Cream, where she is tasked with overseeing enterprise marketing, eCommerce, Product Marketing and leading the company’s award winning Thrifty Ice Cream Business by defining differentiated strategies that enhance customer experiences, and driving transformation driving both companies growth.
Jeanniey Walden’s Influence as a Keynote Speaker and Media Host
Jeanniey Walden is also a sought-after keynote speaker, spokesperson and media contributor frequently addressing topics related to business strategy, marketing innovation, brand development, diversity, and leadership at major industry conferences. She hosts the nationally syndicated TV show and podcast “LiftOff with Jeanniey Walden,” where she inspires and empowers fans.
Jeanniey Walden’s Early Career and Education
Jeanniey Walden began her professional journey as an elementary school teacher in the early 1990s. This foundational experience honed her skills in communication and leadership, which she later applied in the corporate world. She transitioned into business at JCPenney, where she advanced from managing regional call center teams to leading the Corporate Customer Relations team, creating the company’s email marketing processes.
Jeanniey Walden’s professional journey took her out of JCPenney and into the start-up world at Echomail, where she spearheaded the introduction of email marketing into the business community at large. Her innovative accomplishments supported the first interactive billboard/email campaign with CK1 and the first personalized governmental email fundraising campaign for George W Bush in Austin, Texas. This success led her to an executive role at Grey Direct Worldwide, where she established the first-ever email marketing division of an advertising agency, creating skill centers across multiple countries and working with global clients like Procter and Gamble, Oracle and Cendant.
From here she held an executive role at Avalon Digital Marketing and helped introduce video marketing into the B2B community. She then went on to create her first digital marketing and strategy agency. The Lift Network, that served notable clients such as over 20 brands of Cendant, Metlife, and Johnson & Johnson. Simultaneously she foundedGreen Door Entertainment, where she collaborated with Merv Adelson and his team to develop and market “The Jamx Kids,” the first DVD movie created for tweens starring Alison Stoner.
Jeanniey moved back into the advertising agency world in 2005 when she joined OgilvyOne as a Partner and Executive Director, establishing the agency’s first global Digital Dialogue business. While at Ogilvy, Jeanniey founded the Email Experience Council. After selling the EEC to the Direct Marketing Association, Jeanniey joined Zinio as the Chief Marketing and Growth Officer. While at Zinio, she led the marketing of VIVmag, the world’s first fully interactive luxury magazine for women.
Jeanniey then became the Interim President of Indieflix before co-founding the wearable tech company, Ringblingz. She left to lead marketing and transformation efforts for the NOOK by Barnes & Noble. Following that, she served as the Global Chief Marketing Officer for Mercer, owned by Marsh and McLennan, where she transformed the brand to align with a new business strategy for the company. Jeanniey Walden transitioned to conquer a new challenge in building a new industry called “FinTech” in her role as Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer at DailyPay. Jeanniey then created the nationally broadcast TV show Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden and podcast, part of Liftoff Enterprises, focused on inspiring and mentoring others’ success. Today, in addition to her TV show and podcast, Jeanniey is the Chief Marketing and Customer Officer and Rite Aid and the Executive Leader of Thrifty Ice Cream.