Category Archives: The Pop-Up Biz

1. Fern Mallis on Fashion, Designers, and Direct to Consumer Sales



Fashion industry titan Fern Mallis, is the former Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the award-winning creator of NY Fashion Week, and Developer and Host of the premiere conversation series at the 92nd Street Y, and author of the book of the same name, Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis. These interviews and stories feature some of the world’s top designers and fashion industry leaders, including Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tom Ford, Iman, Diane von Fürstenberg, Bill Cunningham, and many more.

On this episode of The Pop-Up Biz Podcast with Fern Mallis:

  • Fern and I discuss fashion marketing and sales as we head into the 2020 Holiday season, and Fern’s predictions for 2021 and beyond.
  • Fern offers a behind the scenes look at the origins of New York Fashion Week and the iconic Fashion Night Out event, including what worked and what didn’t, and how that laid the groundwork for designer pop-ups and the role of influencers in fashion sales events today.
  • She shares her perspective on the impact of charity tie-ins and the opportunity to highlight pressing issues that are meaningful to today’s customers including racial and ethnic diversity, size inclusivity and sustainability.
  • Get ready to discover Fern’s secret to her success, and what she thinks makes a great pop-up experience, including some of her favorite designer activations.
  • Spoiler Alert: Fern Mallis has a great idea for a pop-up and shares it with us on The Pop-Up Biz podcast!

Connect with Fern Mallis on her Website, Instagram, or Facebook.

Learn more about PopUpSummer! on our website and follow us on Instagram. Connect with Susan Sandler on LinkedIn or email susan@popupsummer.com.


Bonus Episode: The Pop-Up Biz Industry Forecast & Report 2020 Q4



Pioneered by The Pop-Up Biz podcast Host, Susan Sandler, The Pop-Up Biz Industry Forecast is a seasonal update on what’s happening in the world of pop-ups and experiential marketing & retail. Susan offers insight on what she predicts designers, brands and retailers will need to do to be successful for direct to consumer sales in Q4 2020, as well as what they need to prepare for in 2021. Entrepreneur, pop-up creator, and PopUpSummer! Founder, Susan Sandler offers listeners an inside look at pop-up industry trends for the season ahead in her signature Pop-Up Industry Forecast.

Topics Covered On Season One, 2020 Q4 Include:

  • The Retail Revolution: How Did We Get Here?
  • Digital Integration: Streaming Media & Shoppable Video
  • Outlook: Brick & Mortar Retail

On this episode Susan reveals key research findings about the real changes in consumer shopping preferences and behavior, and makes an informed prediction about how they will interact with brands and shop both in-real life and on digital and blended platforms.

Susan Sandler has worked with hundreds of companies and brands during her career to reach thousands of customers in innovative ways.  She has an extensive background in marketing and communications, digital media & advertising, in both the agency world and as an entrepreneur, which set her up for success to innovate these alternative and experiential IRL /digital and hybrid business concepts. Through her pop-up company, PopUpSummer!, which launched in 2002, Susan and her team present designers and brands and their collections to new markets and audiences in curated and unique shopping experiences. The success of these individual and Collective pop-ups rely heavily on merchandising, storytelling, programming and marketing.

Learn more about PopUpSummer! on our website and follow us on Instagram. Connect with Susan Sandler on LinkedIn or email susan@popupsummer.com.


Welcome to The Pop-Up Biz!



Welcome to The Pop-Up Biz podcast, I’m your host, Susan Sandler. Together, we’ll discover the latest and greatest in experiential retail, marketing, and pop-ups including fashion, retail, restaurants, art, and entertainment. During each 30-45 minute episode of my seasonal series, I’ll be talking with the movers and shakers in the industry, including leaders from experiential agencies, retailers, tech companies, marketing firms, as well as the brand founders, influencers, and entrepreneurs who are making it happen every day.

You’re going to hear about:

  • ROI, new business models, creative strategy, the latest platforms and new technologies available that make pop-up sales and marketing great for brands.
  • New channels of distribution that are driving revenue, increasing brand awareness, achieving deeper levels of customer engagement and forging meaningful partnerships.
  • The Pop-Up World and its impact and potential on both established and digitally native brands.

The Pop-Up Biz podcast is meant for anyone interested in gaining insight and learning more about pop-up activations. My goal is to connect you on a deeper level to the thought leaders and activators in the space and inspire how you think about what you can do for your brand and how you might get there. On season one of The Pop-Up Biz podcast, we’ll be having conversations with some of the best people in the industry about what’s new, what’s working and what’s next.

About Me

During my career, I have worked with hundreds of companies and brands to reach thousands of customers in innovative ways.  My extensive background in marketing, communications, digital media and advertising, in both the agency world and as an entrepreneur, have set me up to innovate revenue generating alternative and experiential IRL /digital and hybrid business concepts. In 2002, I launched PopUpSummer!, a pop-up company focused on presenting emerging designers and brands and their collections to new markets and audiences, pioneering a new way for them to generate revenue and gain exposure. Through PopUpSummer!, we have developed successful activations and campaigns to bring brands to life and curate unique shopping experiences for consumers through merchandising, storytelling, programming and marketing.

Learn more about PopUpSummer! on our website and follow us on Instagram. Connect with Susan Sandler on LinkedIn or email susan@popupsummer.com.