Diamonds, Drains, and the Danger of Over-Education
Business owners know too much. And "educating the customer" is one of their worst mistakes.
Birkenstock’s 250-Year Journey to a $7 Billion IPO
People found them profoundly ugly. Now they're in the Barbie movie and on runways.
Man vs. Machine: Should AI Write Your Ads?
It is by definition derivative. What are other people saying? It'll say that too.
Why 1950s Advertising is STILL Relevant Today
Ogilvy almost left Rolls-Royce defeated, but 1 comment changed everything.
Walmart – Big Dreams for Small Towns
After JCPenney, Sam saw that rural America had to travel too far.
AI is OK
AI is right for your business, if you don't think your business is terribly special.
The Hidden Value of Studying Business Failures
Buffet found the number one reason that businesses go bad is complacency.
How Adidas Fumbled the Message With “You Got This”
It starts brilliantly. But by the end it's a participation ribbon.
Wonka’s Tale of Risk, Failure, and Nerds
The movie was originally a flop, but they kept taking chances.
Google Is a Tactic, Not a Strategy
Google can deliver results but it requires a broader vision and destination in mind.
The REAL Reason Jaguar’s Rebrand Doesn’t Work
In 2022 they sold 61,661 cars. 2 years later it's 33,320. Just shy of a 50% decline. How? Why?
Sell the Summit: How Rolex Markets a Premium Brand
Their endorsements helped, but it goes far beyond that.
Aspiring to Go Viral Is Lazy
I wish every business owner could go viral once, so they could realize how little it actually moves the needle.
Are You a Real Man?
At first, I thought it was a hoax. But there's a method to this brand's positioning worth serious scrutiny.
Be Wild
Don’t fall into the trap of using safe, tame, lame ads. It feels tried and true, but it's a road to nowhere.