Why Your CPG Brand Isn’t Remarkable and What You Can Do About It

13 August 2013

This post originally appeared in our August ’13 issue of “Live Report from the Future of Marketing,” our monthly Post-Advertising newsletter. Subscribe for free here. Marketing CPG products is hard. Marketing Apple products is easy. Well, not really (on both accounts), but let me …

Why Telemarketers are the Worst Brand Storytellers

24 July 2013

There’s a certain feeling I get, and I’m sure we all get, when I answer the telephone and am greeted by a telemarketer. There are a few feelings, actually. Sort of like the five stages of grief. First, I feel …

Can Digital Save Retail?

17 July 2013

This post originally appeared in our July ’13 issue of “Live Report from the Future of Marketing,” our monthly Post-Advertising newsletter. Subscribe for free here. My wife and I have a baby on the way. Literally any day now he or she (we …

An Open Letter to Nutella: Why Did You Eliminate Your Greatest Marketing Asset?

22 May 2013

My dearest Nutella, For decades your hazelnut spread has turned everyday consumers into product purists. From brownies and cookies to hot chocolate and crepes, Nutella has been the cornerstone of a delicious treat. As you’re aware, since 2007, Sara Rosso—arguably …

Why It’s a Mistake For Brands to Ignore Tumblr

15 May 2013

Pretend I’m someone who understands the basics of the Internet but has never used a social platform. Now let me ask you: What’s Facebook? What’s Twitter? What’s Instagram? Most answers, at least from the readers of this blog, would be …