This past week I discovered a Westin x New Balance brand collabo that’s truly a win-win. It provides a completely unique sampling opportunity for New Balance footwear and apparel, while enhancing the guest experience for Westin. Let’s get the obvious question off the table. Yes, they expect you to wear the same shoes someone else has worn. This […]
When it comes to online and offline tactics, ‘where’ and ‘when’ matter as much as ‘what’ in the new world of content marketing. At any given moment there are numerous buzz words and phrases making their way around the marketing world. And, while ‘content’ is as hot as ever, ‘context’ is equally important. Continue reading […]
I really dig this new spot from Dell, promoting the ‘beginnings’ of various well-known companies including Whole Foods, Dropbox, Gilt and more. Bonus points for using a song performed by The Felice Brothers. #1band1brand #BrandCollabo
I’m incredibly lucky and grateful to have an amazing family, with relatives around the globe. Lately a few family members have been making an effort to learn more about our ancestors, and it’s been fascinating to uncover stories, artifacts and even people that we didn’t know were related. We’re just scratching the surface, but it’s […]
Not only has TOMS created a revolutionary brand that has spawned numerous copycats (yes, we’re talking to you Skechers BOBS), but they are now innovating further by creating a completely unconventional retail experience. Recently I had a chance to visit Venice Beach, CA for the first time in many years. Just as friends had suggested, I loved the […]
Marketers recognize that tablet sales are steadily increasing, and this presents a huge opportunity for brands. The question becomes, how do you find a unique and relevant way to play on this device? It’s tempting to create an app, but there must be a concept that goes beyond simply repurposing a website or social media […]
We know celebrities can use their fame to sell movie tickets, albums and the brands they endorse, but the savvy among them have taken it a step further by creating entertainment destinations (Dollywood), restaurants (Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville) and even their own products (George Foreman Grill). Now a new breed of celebs are recognizing the opportunity […]
Brands of all sizes can benefit from showcasing specific employees as part of their marketing efforts. In a previous post I talked about ‘keeping it real’ as it relates to marketing copy. This seems to be even more of a challenge when a brand lacks personality. While some brands leverage mascots, hire celebrities (more on what […]
As marketers, we sometimes forget there are individuals behind the audience profiles, segments, demographics and other classifications we use for consumers. This can lead to marketing copy that’s out of touch and impersonal. In this day and age when brands engage with consumers through various channels, rather than hiding behind an 800 number, we need […]
This week a few of us from GY&K head West…..South by South West to be exact. South by Southwest (SXSW) is a conference in Austin, Texas that encompasses technology, music, film, fashion and more. As I said in my post last year, the SXSW event tagline sums it up – Tomorrow Happens Here. The tagline is a […]