Inside Build-A-Bear’s Technology: Interview with CTO Dara Meath

In this exciting episode of OFFBounds, I’m thrilled to dive into the world of experiential retail with a brand that has set the gold standard—Build-A-Bear Workshop! Joining me is Dara Meath, Chief Technology Officer at Build-A-Bear, who leads the brand's seamless integration of cutting-edge technology and customer experience across its global stores. We’ll explore how Build-A-Bear’s digital transformation, powered by Dara’s leadership and her innovative T90 philosophy, is revolutionizing the way families create lasting memories. From mobile POS systems to AI-driven personalization, discover the advanced tech behind the brand’s playful and engaging customer experience. We’ll also chat about Build-A-Bear’s exciting expansion into the virtual world of Roblox and its continuous effort to keep the magic alive for all ages. As a special treat, Dara shares insights on her upcoming keynote at Shoptalk Fall in Chicago (October 16-18)—an event focused on empowering women in retail and tech. Be sure to check the show notes for an exclusive OFFBounds discount on tickets here: stfall24-registration.personatech.com/code?cId=cmJ… 🔔 Subscribe to OFFBounds for more episodes in our Retail Innovation Series, in partnership with Shoptalk Fall. 00:00 - Welcome to OFFBounds with Paula Macaggi 01:12 - Introducing Dara Meath, CTO of Build-A-Bear Workshop 03:30 - Build-A-Bear’s experiential retail and customer journey 07:40 - The role of digital and tech in enhancing the customer experience 16:10 - Build-A-Bear’s presence in Roblox and gamification strategy 22:00 - Empowering women in tech and Dara’s leadership journey 27:20 - Dara’s T90 Leadership model and its impact on retail innovation 38:35 - Closing and what's next at Shoptalk Fall 2024 #BuildABear #RetailInnovation #TechInRetail #ShoptalkFall #ExperientialRetail #Roblox #T90Leadership #WomenInTech #OFFBoundsPodcast --- Studio: Podstream Studios podstreamstudios.com/ Production: Paula Macaggi www.linkedin.com/in/paulamacaggi/ Edition: Bicho de Goiaba www.bichodegoiaba.com.br/ Research: Lia Cabrini www.linkedin.com/in/liacabrini/ Design: Gabriel Fischer www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielfischer/ Partnership: Shoptalk Fall fall.shoptalk.com/

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