Featured
The Future of Work. Return to Work. Hybrid Work. The Great Resignation. The Great Reckoning. Okay, STOP. We’re all tired of hearing these SEO-inspired, of-the-moment, not-wrong-but-not-right soundbytes talking about a shift we never expected to see.
But what we’re not tired of, and what we’ll always seek, are stories that resonate authentically and deeply. Stories that cut through the clutter, strike a chord, and move people to action. Right now, many of us are looking to write more compelling, purposeful stories with the work we do.
Inspiration. Innovation. Transformation. It seems like everywhere we look these days (including in my newsletters), there’s an anthemic “-on” awaiting our contemplation. Higher-order callings beckon us, and they should; for it is the never-ending pursuit of our potential, and the way we push the boundaries of what’s possible, that truly defines us.
Belonging is everything. In a world where each of our lives is an attempt to discover our own “why,” nothing is more powerful than occupying common ground with – and putting a dent in the universe alongside – a community of people that shares our interests, passions, and convictions. From Pinterest to Peloton, from Honda to Harley, and from Dunkin’ to Disney, the brands that matter most in our lives are the ones whose clear sense of purpose and raison d'etre is abundantly clear, relentlessly relevant, and wildly resonant.
We see it, we feel it, we know it. We’re in the Experience Era. Sure, we need our products, and we value our services. But it’s experiences to which we give our time, our attention, and our dollars. The best Marketing Leaders and Brand Builders know they are actually Chief Experience Officers, charged with the opportunity and obligation of designing and delivering what’s new and what’s next. In this inaugural issue of the newsletter, I offer a detailed reflection on the CMO as CXO, share my recent far-ranging interview with creative icon Scott Belsky, and serve up a few can’t-miss instances of Brand as Experience that recently made an impression on me.