Stories | September 17, 2020
Introducing Julia Nam – Hyosung Marketing Manager, Intimates and Swim
We are happy to introduce Julia Nam, our marketing manager for intimates and swim – not to mention an integral member of our Global Brand Marketing Team. For those fortunate to have met and worked with Julia over the course of her eight years with Hyosung, you are lucky to have experienced her sharp intellect and infectious enthusiasm, which not only bubble over her work, but also over every corner of her life. For those who do not know Julia, we hope you enjoy this brief snapshot and find the opportunity to meet her soon.
Q: When did you start working with Hyosung?
A: After having several years in retail, I started working with Hyosung in 2012.
Q: Yes, I understand you have a background in retail, can you tell us a bit about this?
A: I began working as a sales and marketing manager at Hyundai Department Store, one of the leading department stores in Korea. I was handling about 80 brands of home-related merchandise such as electronic goods, bedding, tableware, and furniture.
Q: How do you feel your retail experience has helped you with your role at Hyosung?
A: My role included everything to include increasing sales performance, analyzing weekly/monthly results, planning marketing events, creating promotional tools, changing the store interior every 6 months, managing the people who work for brands, and responding to consumers’ inquiries (mostly complaints! ). It was a total art!
Supervising retail marketing events and store renovation is very similar to the 10-12 trade shows I help prepare annually for Hyosung, which include ISPO, Interfilière, Performance Days, ITS, and more. My retail experience which ranged from surveying market trends and discovering new products & brands to developing key messages and promotional tools has been so beneficial in my role here at Hyosung.
Q: I understand your role recently changed from European Marketing Manager to Marketing Manager for Intimates and Swim. What are your responsibilities?
A: I work with European and USA brands as well as their fabric mills and vendors, to identify business opportunities and develop innovative textile solutions to help these brands prosper. But yes, I love Europe since I’ve worked as the EU marketing manager for more than 6-7 years. To me, most countries in Europe are very fascinating, filled with the largest collection of artifacts, nice food, old architecture, beautiful streets, etc. Paris is the first city I visited in Europe. Germany is very special since I traveled most of its cities when handling our Lidl retail project. The UK is the best city for shopping!
Q: What do you like best about your role?
A: Definitely the global experience. I enjoy learning more about various cultures via all of my business and personal relationships with our Global Brand Marketing Team (GBMT) and customers.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience?
A: Oh yes, our Lidl project for sure! We heard Lidl was developing a product line of stretch garments under its own brand name – a huge program that would require the support of their vendor network. We wanted in! Traditionally, retailers and brands work with mills to source materials rather than fiber developers. We pioneered a program where we reached out to Lidl directly and proved we were not only a great fiber producer, but also a total solutions provider. We won this business after 6 months of hard work (special thanks to our HK team and our Markus von Sternheim in Germany). It was our first adopted brand partner program for Hyosung, which has flourished over time. Through this project, I learned the POWER of TEAMWORK through collaboration with global sales, marketing, our factories, and the technical services team!
Q: How do you think Hyosung marketing has changed over the last 2-3 years?
A: We have dedicated a tremendous amount of resources in people and investment, allowing us to build strong relationships with key players in the textile value chain. We are proud of having a huge pipeline of innovations with creora® spandex, our Mipan® nylon and polyester product lines. We are fortunate to have the right experts and that we’ve developed our own capabilities to be the supplier and marketing support our brands and retailers need. Lastly, we have the network around the world to make things happen…and quickly.
Q: Do you have a favorite Hyosung Performance Textiles fiber or fabric made with one?
A; My 1st preference is creora® highclo as I focused on the swim market for the first of my 3 to 4 years at Hyosung, and it has more significant value to other spandex fibers due to its chlorine resistance. As of late, I love our new creora® Color+ for natural fiber blends, as it can deliver deeper, richer color among all other spandex makers. Who doesn’t want to look good in what they are wearing?
Q: What do you like to do outside of work?
A: I enjoy taking pictures, cooking, and discovering new brands, stores, and galleries.
Stay tuned for more for more info on our Hyosung team!
