Skunky Beer is the Worst (Part the Third)
For his chocolate-coffee stout, he used pounds of Wilbur Buds dark chocolate (a local delicacy). Then the brewer made a tragic mistake.
Origin Story: How Your Story Should’ve Successfully Been Told
Most ads don’t work. Why? They’re missing the key ingredient.
The world’s most honest used car salesman
I like making people the hero in the ads. People are more interesting when they stop pretending.
The Paradox of Customer Dissatisfaction
How you can leverage it to create rabidly happy (as opposed to merely satisfied) customers.
Wrigley’s Origin – You buy the baking powder you get the gum
How the power of premiums created an empire.
Influence This! (Part the Second)
When it comes to influencers, or when it comes to chicanery in marketing, color me skeptical.
5 Hard Truths About Advertising Every Business Owner Ought to Know
Your ads are an annoyance to your future customers. Unless you make yourself otherwise.
Personality Prescription, Part 6 – Uniqueness
The pursuit of uniqueness is a huge source of frustration. Of wasted money. Of non-persuasive advertising.
Who you gonna call?
Halloween 1985 would have been forgotten if Chris hadn’t brought the Roman candles. But in business, Remarkability and Memorability are often rejected for the safe.
Nike – It took them seven years to break $1M in revenue
Nike goes from distributor to shoe manufacturer to work directly with the customer.
Doubling Down on Schtick That Sticks
It’s been over 40 years — and I can still sing the lyrics. Here are my quick and dirty takeaways.
What firefighting taught me about business
Once we helped the fire department roll out their hoses, Kenny started acting like Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump.
IMG – International Management Group. Who are these people?
Mark McCormack started with Arnold Palmer and was named 1990's most powerful man in sports.
Shared Stories and Advertising Magic
Why do so few stories end up being about vulnerability, setbacks, or scars? Because it takes an uncommon level of guts and skill.
Personality Prescription, Part 5 – Let’s Sell Something
There’s a saying that “Business goes where it’s invited.” What should we put in our ads to get that invitation from Ms. Homeowner?