The mid-terms are behind us and we’ll be in the midst of another marathon presidential race before you know it. Part of me is thrilled about this. Is there anything more exciting? I’ve always been fascinated by American presidents. And breakfast cereals. That’s why I’m in...
Have you noticed the irony? Weight Watchers is now WW and Dunkin’ Donuts will be known as Dunkin’ starting in January. The weight loss company and the weight gain company arrive at the same strategy simultaneously. Both companies are casting off names that are limiting, evoke...
I tend to greet anything that hints of being a listicle with extreme cynicism and disbelief. Listicles always bring to mind the old Steve Martin joke: “You ask how can I make a million dollars and never pay taxes? It’s easy! First, get a million...
Think of football. What comes to mind? Your favorite college or professional team, perhaps? Go deeper. The sport is played everywhere across our country, but if you had to literally put it on the map, where would it go? Having grown up in New York, I was...
I was intrigued by the headline of this Adweek piece a few weeks back, Lessons CPG Brands Can Learn From Startups. Before reading a word, I thought, “is it even possible?” There are lots of smart people at CPG companies but the organizations are hemmed...
Does our storytelling always need to be virtuous? My favorite television shows are populated by despicable characters. Tony Soprano and Walter White robbed and killed. Everyone in Seinfeld, along with the Larry David “character” role in Curb Your Enthusiasm, were highly neurotic and self-absorbed. Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman...
Is storytelling in marketing bullshit? There is a clear answer to this question. Yes. And no. The key is to distinguish between the art of storytelling itself – and the relentless, self-serving hype of what is no more than a marketing fad. Of course, storytelling is important,...
It’s just been a few short weeks since Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain took their own lives in quick succession. With all that’s happened in Trumpland since then, it seems like years ago. Before these tragedies completely fade into our memory I feel compelled to...
Want to hop on a stage coach and travel back in time? Wells Fargo is waving its magic wand, playing make believe to transport us back to a better place while conveniently overlooking the illegal, top-down policies designed to boost earnings and screw their customers....
This past week saw two iconic American brands react to racial injustice in strikingly different ways. One chose transparency, shining a light on the issue, accepting responsibility for its actions and putting its money where its mouth was. The other did its level best to...