Branding
The Missing Middle
In 1980, George W.S. Trow said television had destroyed the middle distance. The Creator Economy may now be bridging it. Brands should pay attention.
Friday, April 17, 2026
Tag: Brand-Strategy
Branding
The Grey Line
A fair game and a good outcome are not the same thing. But brands have been betting on the confusion.
Friday, March 13, 2026
Branding
Life, Liberty, and the Promise of the American Brand
Ken Burns and the White House both released landmark narratives this fall; together, they offer an unintentional lesson in how brand mythologies are made and unmade.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Larry Vincent/generated in Midjourney
Branding
Smile Policies and Other Ways to Trash a Brand
Target’s new smile policy tries to fix the brand from the outside in but real change starts with product culture and giving people a reason to smile.
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Larry Vincent/generated in Midjourney
Behavior
Flatter, Faster, Smarter: The New Shape of Work
Despite layoffs and AI anxiety, a smarter, leaner future of work is taking shape.
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Everett Historical/Shutterstock
Research
The Thing To Fear
Fear is on the rise. Conventional wisdom suggests this is bad for brands and for marketers. But new research suggests otherwise.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Strategy
Are You In or Not?
Making consumers feel that they are on the outside looking in is a common marketing tactic, but recent research indicates it might be very risky.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Branding
Skip B-School. Study Life.
The 3 subject areas to master if you want to become a great brand strategist
Sunday, January 29, 2017