Brands Need Face-To-Face Connection

MediaPost Publications, November 5, 2009 — We live in the most hyper-connected time in the country's history; and yet we exist in a constant state of disconnection. While Apple, BlackBerry, Twitter, Facebook, LimeWire, Match.com, Fresh Direct, and Amazon are well-designed, convenient, and address specific needs — and for the most part work well — they are also responsible for the undeniable erosion in the kind of personal interactions we used to take for granted during the course of a regular day

How to Cope with Aging Brands

The story of brands getting old is a story of relevance.

Prophet, October 1, 2008 — Individual brands, or even whole categories, that were once important for a particular consumer segment, become irrelevant as society evolves and tastes change.

CMOs, Start Thinking Like Investment Managers†

Talk Like Them, Too: Marketers Must Explain How Their Strategy Decisions Drive Shareholder Value

Advertising Age, October 19, 2007 — They say the first stage of starting a revolution is to begin with the language. OK, here's an attempt: What if marketers started to change the marketing lexicon? For example, instead of referring to the marketing budget, what if they were to call it a loan? One that needs to be paid back, with interest? And that ROI should be recast as a profit or loss? And advertising and marketing channels should be viewed as alternative investment funds designed to maximize marketing profits?