WENATCHEE, WA - Stories shared across family gatherings are the bonds that tie us together. Those experiences are exactly what Stemilt has managed to share through its bins, packaging, and marketing strategy. It makes complete sense, therefore, that the maven of these has identified as a storyteller all her life.
Brianna Shales, Stemilt’s Marketing Director, is our first Besties Award recipient for Best Annual Snack Storyteller—for consistently finding the heart of a story, what makes it unique but universal, and making us feel truly connected to the company’s operations through words and imagery.
“To receive this was really special to me because I’ve been telling stories since I was a little kid, so it was really fun to be recognized for storytelling and to go home and share it with our marketing team and my husband and kids,” Brianna told me. “It all comes down to our mission to cultivate people and delight consumers through excellence. We are a family-owned business, and one of our main values is to practice integrity and trust—that relationship side is what has helped us transcend over time. We want everyone to become a part of the family, and that happens through sharing stories and experiences.”
Food, throughout any society or culture, connects people. This, Brianna shares, is the inspiration behind Stemilt’s marketing approach. The awareness that a brand alone is not what people—retailers or shoppers—will connect with. It is story that imprints on memory, driving the legend-like lore of brands like A Half Mile Closer to the Moon® cherries, Rushing Rivers® Pears, and so much more.
With generations of stories spanning the Stemilt family, it’s no wonder the company’s Marketing Director is so great at sharing them. As Stemilt continues to evolve, I have no doubt stories will continue to bring both buyers and consumers closer to its fruit and the people who provide it.
As we continue telling our own stories of our first-ever Besties Awards, keep an eye on your inbox for AndNowUKnow’s continued exclusives.
