Kris Jenner and Her Marketing Genius

Kris Jenner and Her Unprecedented Success-

The name “Kris Jenner” is one of the most recognised in the marketing scene. Love her or hate her, she can’t be ignored (as much as some try!)

Her ability to scout her own family as promising stars and business owners is unmatched in the game, and the way she built her brand follows the same legacy. In 2007, Kris Jenner approached renowned show-biz producer Ryan Seacrest to pitch her family as stars of a new reality show. She saw the opportunity in her own family drama, with six children in ranging

age groups causing havoc behind the newly formed scenes. Jenner often refers to her success as “calculated” and “intentional”, a move many marketers share in trying to make their work stand out (examples can be seen on our Facebook). Her attitude to her work is proven from her drive and ability to make a seemingly average family eventually become worth $2 billion collectively, as detailed by Nebo’s blog written by Rachel Larson.

Let’s Talk Strategy-

Kris Jenner has many tricks up those designer sleeves, as shown by her many marketing strategies she has used throughout not only her own career but the career she has designed for her family. For example, Khloe Kardashian became pregnant in season 3 of Keeping Up With the Kardashians right when viewer ratings had dropped. Jenner made sure to show as much of the pregnancy as possible in the show, including personal conversations on marriage, divorce, and personal health. However, Jenner took a different approach to Kylie’s first pregnancy with Stormi in 2018, where she and Kylie kept everything under wraps. The shock and speculation around Kylie’s secret pregnancy raised viewings exponentially, and pushed Kylie into the spotlight.

Kris Jenner’s approach to personal matters being used as marketing strategies seems to be to put her family first while still appealing to the public. Kris knows her viewers as producer, star, and manager of their careers, and tailors the information they make public to suit the audience. (More tips on how to cater to your audience can be seen on our LinkedIn).

Does Kris Jenner Perform, Or Is She Just That Captivating?

While Kris Jenner appears to be the most laid-back and fun-loving on the show, she takes her career very seriously. Her children come first, but their brand is a close competitor for top spot on Kris Jenner’s priority list. By publicly presenting herself as just part of the family, she is able to stay behind the scenes when it matters and decide the next moves for their businesses. For example, Kylie’s Cosmetics used to be marketed as Kylie’s Lip Kits, and while on the show Kris did show herself as playing a big part in the company, she definitely had a bigger role in it’s success than most would assume. From advertising, marketing, and branding, Kris Jenner also secured deals through networking and calculated moves.

Her brand has a certain style which can still be altered to each of her children. She understands the importance of consistency in branding, which can also be seen from us on our website. Jenner revealed in her memoir: Kris Jenner...And All Things Kardashian that she started to see their careers “like pieces on a chessboard”, and as martini-loving and easy-going as Jenner may seem, she is actually a Grandmaster of marketing.

Before Their Careers-

Kris Jenner knows the difference between marketable gossip and personal privacy, and the time and place for both. She is a child of divorce, with her mother Mary Jo “M.J” Shannon and her father Robert True “Bob” Houghton going their separate ways in 1962, when Kris was only 7 years old. This seems to have shaped how she handles future issues surrounding divorce, where she manages to keep such matters out of the spotlight with various other dramas. For example, her divorce with Caitlyn Jenner was overshadowed by Caitlyn’s coming-out story and her personal struggles. It is unconfirmed if Kris had a part in Caitlyn’s public image, however she has expressed continued support for Caitlyn through the divorce.

In addition, Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries’ divorce was finalised between seasons of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, meaning their private life was easier to keep out of the public eye, and the event became a surprising way to kick off Season 7.

Let’s Face It, She’s Iconic-

We can all agree that Kris Jenner is an influential and iconic member of pop culture. From memes to gossip to fashion trends, Kris Jenner knows how to work the public in her favour. Trends revolving around her almost always get a public response from the star herself, bringing even more attention to her part in influencing the trend-followers. For example, Kardashian Kloset is a “thrifty” way to dress just like the fashionable family, with Kris running the site to sell their used, unwanted clothes for an incredibly low price (for designer, anyway!). So, if you’ve ever wanted to wear Kris Jenner’s iconic Chanel printed fur coat, you may just get your chance!