Truth and clarity about Guerrilla Marketing
It’s 1810. Napolean’s armies have conquered all of Europe and are enjoying the spoils. But…
What marketers can learn from the Olympics — Branding and the Olympic Rings.
I’m a big fan of the Winter Olympics. I got hooked as a boy when…
Cammo brand personality (Duck Dynasty goes high fashion.)
How do you know when the alignment of the planets has gone completely askew? When the…
Paralysis by Analysis (How fear and big data can kill great marketing)
Everyone’s talking about “big data” and how data-driven marketing is the holy grail of marketing….
Marketing lessons from the not-so-surprising failure of Sears
The recent demise of Sears, once the country’s largest retailer, is replete with valuable marketing…
Fake thrills and false advertising — Another automotive marketing misfire.
Automotive advertising, as a category, is notoriously bad. The big brands seldom produce memorable spots,…
Who reads long copy these days? The hungry ones.
I’m really tired of people telling me no one reads anything anymore. “Copywriting doesn’t matter.”…
Non-profit branding (A story of start-up success and failure)
In 2009 I called it “A feel-good brand in a bummed out world.” It was…
Strategic Thinking vs. Tactical Acting – Your marketing needs both.
I’ve been writing the Brand Insight Blog regularly since 2007. The single most popular post…
Craftsmanship in Advertising (God is in the details.)
I seldom write about Super Bowl advertising. (Too many other commentators offering their expert insight…
How to do more effective advertising (Just the facts won’t do it)
Every client I work with wants to know how to do more effective advertising. They…
Naming — Age-old advice on how to name a new business.
So you want to hang up your own shingle. Or you have a great idea…
Marketing Resolutions (3 easy paths to better branding)
2021 promises to be a better year for business owners and marketers. Especially if you’re…
Why most marketing videos fail. (Unscripted advice on the missing ingredient)
Online video is the new TV. These days you can delve deep into any subject under…
How to build a brand… First, own an idea.
I think all entrepreneurs should study advertising. Entrepreneurs are full of ideas, and advertising is…
The new normal for Ecommerce — How to sell more stuff online.
Ecommerce is exploding. The COVID 19 pandemic has created a tidal wave of activity in…
Effective Personal Branding — The corporate head shot is not the ticket.
Recently we had a client who didn’t like the photos we had taken for her…
Keen Footwear is a great branding case study. If the shoe fits.
Apparently, I have peasant feet. At least that’s what the nice sales person at REI…
As long as first impressions matter, website design will matter.
There was a group discussion on LinkedIn recently that started with this statement: “Website design…
Successful branding – 3 logical reasons why brands need more emotional thinking
Small brands, big attitudes. How to create an XXL brand personality
Brand authenticity (Keeping it real, honest, genuine and true)
Airline Industry marketing (One Canadian brand stands out)
Here’s a news flash for all of you who are 35 or under: Flying wasn’t…
Death in a small business — Brands outlive their founders.
If you got hit by a bus, what would happen to your brand? Nothing derails…
Marketing for financial advisors – beyond gift baskets
It was one hell of a gift basket, piled high with a delicious assortment of…
Website Design — How to hone-in on a better homepage
These days there are a lot of nice brands that exist only on the internet….
Rule #1 for advertising a golf destination: Try not to turn people off.
I seldom use the Brand Insight Blog to critique ads. It’s just too easy to…
Retail Marketing Strategy — Super Sales vs. Super Brands.
It’s discount days in the retail world right now. Everywhere you turn there’s a super…
The ultimate franchise retail branding experience – like a kid in a candy store
My annual Christmas shopping excursion always eventually leads me to one place: Powell’s Sweet Shop….
Marketing lessons from GM — Will a $30 billion bailout buy them some focus?
The top guns of the American auto industry parked their private jets, piled into their…