If you visit my home, chances are you’d realize that pretty much everything has its place and utilitarian purpose. Having moved quite a bit as an adult, I’ve been fairly good at keeping stuff to a minimum and to those things that I really use. This makes even more sense when you learn that I live in an older rural American home, built in 1885. The home didn’t originally have closets, so the only two that exist today were built during recent renovations. Yes, a woman with just two closets. I have, however, a confession that belies this practicality. If you peer into the large freestanding cupboard where I keep my kitchenware, you’ll see it: an old, worn out wooden salad bowl with matching, broken serving utensils. It just sits there lonely, neglected and unused. I paid rather handsomely for it about six years ago in a moment of whimsy, coughing up $52 plus change for an item I inevitably would never use. Why? Because of its back story. Read More
I recently chatted with Raf Stevens about how brand stories are increasingly part of conversations at the board room (and coffee shop) table — no matter what the business or industry. Every brand has a story of relevance and meaning that can help connect with people and impact business. This is why my work is like experiencing “Four Seasons in One Day.” Read More
At first glance, Peter Shankman’s recent post “Why I’d Never, Ever Hire a ‘Social Media Expert’” had
me a little baffled. I usually like his marketing commentary – but likening a social media expert as no different than someone skilled at “taking bread out of a refrigerator?” Whoa, that caught my attention. I think that’s what he intended, since the analogy plays into a knee jerk reaction to warn about a particular type of “guru/expert” character. This doesn’t really accurately reflect the bigger picture he proceeds to paint for the role of social media or the one that actually exists in many cases. Unfortunately, the cautionary “label” potentially risks undermining the great value that someone experienced in the discipline can bring to your business, with plenty of “experts” that actually do fit the bill appropriately.
This week I’m the guest blogger for Synergy Events, creator of signature brand experiences for leading brands and agencies. I call them the “experience experts” because they’ve created some of the most amazing moments to connect
brands with fans. From a NASCAR Victory Lap and Pit Stop Tour to a 53′ M&M candy posing as Lady Liberty, floating down the Hudson to celebrate “there’s an M in everyone,” their work is all about giving life to brand narrative.
The post examines how your brand’s story can combine with carefully designed experiences to ignite a marketing chain reaction and impact performance.
I invite you to learn more at Synergy Events.
Ever see a bunch of five year olds learn to play soccer? Wherever the ball goes, there goes the pack of kids. Following the ball like a little flock, flailing at it and at each other. A good pair of shin guards is a necessity. That’s pretty much how I feel about a lot of social media and marketing activities these days. We’re all competing for what often seems to be not much more than momentary attention. This post is admittedly long, but I think there is another way to play and it’s important to understand to raise our business game. And, frankly, I’m still trying to figure it all out. Read More