Maya Ono on Authentic Marketing Beyond the Algorithm

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There are many things about PRH that I love, but one of my favorites is a program called CoffeeChats. It’s an automated system that pairs employees across the company for 30-minute introductory calls. Before the bot sets you up with someone, you fill out a short bio with your interests, just enough information for it to match you with someone who might have similar interests. Once a pair is made, you are able to view the other person’s bio as well.

CoffeeChats is especially valuable for anyone who’s remote or outside New York, people who don’t have the luxury of roaming the halls and poking their head into random offices the way I used to. (Truly, I was a friendly menace.)

A couple of months ago, the bot matched me with Maya Ono. I quickly knew I wanted to feature her in The Write Spxt. Talking with her confirmed something I’ve sensed for years in this industry: the people who do the most impactful work are the ones who resist the noise. The ones who remember that marketing is not trickery or trend-chasing, it’s storytelling, human behavior and sincerity.

Our world is obsessed with algorithms at the moment and Maya’s approach feels like ten toes down. She believes curiosity still matters. Community still matters. Showing up with honesty still matters. And she has the career receipts to back it up. When you are done listening, head over to her Substack, The Spiegel Files.

In this chat, we dive into…

* why authentic marketing still outperforms algorithm-chasing

* how to cultivate curiosity as a creative and professional advantage

* the power of community-driven campaigns and what most get wrong

Media mentioned while chatting with Maya

* Audition by Katie Kitamura READ

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Current associate director of marketing at Pantheon and Doubleday Books, imprints at Penguin Random House.