Ep 84: Becoming a Facebook Executive | Eric Toda (Global Head of Social Marketing & Head of Meta Prosper, Meta)

Eric Toda has built the American Dream.


He’s the Global Head of Social Marketing & Head of Meta
Prosper at Meta as well as an advisory board member of the
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Prior to Meta, Eric
was the CMO at Gap Inc, Global Head of Social Marketing and
Editorial Content at Airbnb and Global Digital Brand Marketing
Director at Nike. 


But Eric’s path has hardly been an easy one.


He’s had to deal with racism his entire life, despite being a
fourth generation American and having a World War II veteran as
his grandfather. 


When he landed his first job at Facebook, he was told that the
key to succeeding was to never look a white executive in the
eye. 


And even when he reached the pinnacle of his career - becoming
CMO at Gap Inc - he was eventually fired. 


But Eric Toda has also had tremendous successes and his work was
awarded by Cannes Lions, Webbys, Clios, Effie, Adweek ARC Awards,
Brand Innovators amongst others for combining purpose,
creativity, and business results. You might’ve seen some of them
- Airbnb’s #LiveInTheMovies and the launch of Gap Inc’s Hill City
brand.


So how has racism and failure moulded Eric into becoming a
greater leader?


How do you become best friends with your executives?


And who is… Jonathan Mildenhall?


If you want to learn how to be a great leader and triumph over
adversity and discrimination, then this is the episode for you.


And if you liked this episode, do share this episode and leave a
review!





Highlights:


2:38 How Eric’s grandfather fought for him before he was born

10:05 Why Eric wanted to become a lawyer

12:08 Joining a little startup called… Facebook

15:59 Don’t look a white executive in the eye

20:42 Getting credit for your work

23:21 Being fired from Gap Inc as Chief Marketing Officer

25:09 Why Eric failed to challenge the status quo

28:19 Becoming friends with executives

30:35 Being an approachable leader

32:25 Jonathan Mildenhall

34:48 “Oi, you coming?”

36:28 Airbnb’s successful 2016 campaign during the Oscars

40:24 #WeAccept

44:54 You can’t teach ambition & fire

46:22 Launching the hardest, but right thing in Eric’s career
- Meta Prosper

51:01 My people are dying in silence & I’m here with a
megaphone 

53:31 Why Eric doesn’t want his children to remember him only
as a businessman or marketer

56:01 Not being allowed to go to the Smithsonian

57:38 The challenges of Web 3.0 today 

1:01:48 Why is Eric Toda so easy to contact?! (p/s: his
mobile number is available)






Show notes:
www.sothisismywhy.com/84         


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