I remember driving to Florida for a holiday break with a friend a long time ago. As teenagers with no income of our own, we decided to drive through the night without stopping. What we saved in hotel expenses, we more than made up for in memories. Part of any such right of passage are […]
Three elephants walk into a bar… It sounds like the start of a joke, but there is nothing funny about the impact that a few elephants can have on the retail landscape. While there are many, let’s start with the three named Google, Amazon and Walmart. Here’s the Punch… Google can put Amazon out of business. Amazon […]
Where does Growth Come from? Everyone wants to grow, especially during times like these. Most brands have ambition. Many have growth plans. Business owners and marketers understand the sweat equity and grit it takes. So with all that intention, and despite what people showcase about their efforts, why is real growth so rare? It can’t be that people are […]
Charming Lesson for Marketing Leaders One could argue that most elected officials are brand-builders in their own right, masters at tailoring their message for the market. But the history buffs among us can look to our favorite brand-building President, Theodore Roosevelt, for some fresh inspiration. Widely considered by historians to be one of the best […]
Discover the Surprising Solution for People Problems Sometimes the pace, pressure and myopic focus of Q4 can feel like a bad winter cold. Marketers strive to deliver a strong finish to this year and hustle to set the KPI’s for next, building the case for investment in resources. It wears us down – taking an emotional […]
As a coffee lover, I cringed at the invasion of crumbs from a biscotti floating in my cup. (Who knew one could have buyer’s remorse over a biscotti and ruin a perfectly good cup of joe?) After some (tasty) trial and error, I learn that (a) all biscotti are hard, in fact twice-baked (literal definition) and […]
How Diversity Impacts Advertising Agency Selection The creative development process intrinsic to marketing success has a level of mystery about it akin to that of a dragon’s egg. The process can be fragile. Capturing it can be elusive. The conditions for nurturing its potential present an opportunity to birth something quite powerful. When we recruit […]
Despite being born and raised in Football Hall of Fame city, a super destination for every football fan, I’m no Adam Schefter. But after 30 years of marketing consulting for clients, I understand the design and culture of championship team performance. The NFL’s top two teams will soon battle for greatness on one of the […]
Standing in front of an orchestra, a band, or a chorus and beating time does not make one a conductor. But to bring forth thrilling music from a group of singers or players, to inspire them to excel, to train them to become musicians themselves, personally to feel the power of music so deeply that […]
An accomplished carpenter felt ready to retire. He told his boss of his plans to leave in order to live a more leisurely life with his wife. He would miss the paycheck, but he had saved enough to be able to quit and enjoy a modest lifestyle. The contractor was sorry to see such a […]
Start Now for 2019 Success! How to find the right creative advertising agency remains an elusive challenge for companies today. Agencies line up by the hundreds, offering similar services at similar pricing with little known differentiation. Marketers know a lot rests on the selection of the talent to get the job done, and that outsourcing […]
Ask advertising industry and non-industry folk alike what makes for a great campaign and you’ll likely hear the same response – creativity. It’s something we can recognize and admire, like a sense of taste or style, but are not sure exactly where it comes from, how to replicate it for ourselves, or what about it […]
This is an update of a popular post regarding advertising agency search and multiple agency teaming practices. Plus I recommend a useful new book by a fellow “lover of collaboration”. Enjoy this second helping! The Gathering Whether preparing the table for a big family event or tackling an ambitious marketing goal, mobilizing the right team […]
Marketing leaders focused on digital transformation need to find creative agencies and media partners that can anticipate what opportunities exist, and then partner together to get the job done. Cultural fit is key! The holy grail for CMOs is high performance teams with well-choreographed movements among agencies, brand partners and their own people. Their job […]
Marketing leaders today are showered by the number of advertising agency suppliers promising digital capability and insight. The industry continues to evolve as it responds to advertiser demand. Companies, organizations, and brands seek to engage across multiple media platforms with targeted consumers. It’s a cacophony of options (love that word!) marked by an exciting convergence […]