🌍 From Italy to 120 Countries | How an Ice Cream Brand Went Global 🍦

How does a small Italian gelato maker grow from a local favorite to selling in over 100 countries worldwide? The journey isn’t a straight line—it’s a masterclass in global brand expansion.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating story of GI, an Italian ice cream brand that carefully scaled its way from surprise overseas orders to full-scale factories abroad. With insights from marketing manager Gianna Palazzi, you’ll get an inside look at the strategies that turned gelato into a worldwide phenomenon.

🔑 Here’s what we unpack:

• Indirect exports → testing the waters through agents.

• Direct exports → hiring their own export manager and traveling the world.

• Licensing deals → local partners producing under the GI brand.

• Joint ventures → equal partnerships in challenging markets like China.

• Direct investment → building their own factories and teams abroad.

• The secret of glocalization → balancing global identity with local tastes.

From sweeter recipes in Asia to partnerships in Europe and factories in China, GI’s growth shows exactly how brands navigate the tricky balance of being global yet locally relevant.

👉 Final thought: As you enjoy your favorite ice cream, ask yourself—how much of what you’re tasting is the authentic global brand, and how much has been adapted just for you?

#GlobalBusiness #BrandStrategy #InternationalExpansion #Explainer