Power Players: How Female Athletes Are Redefining Business and Brand Value

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 From breaking outdated sports marketing models to building authentic athlete-driven campaigns, this conversation dives into why brands need to rethink their approach now, before the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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices