I am becoming one of those people who shouts at the TV screen. (I suppose it was inevitable – it comes with age along with hair sprouting unattractively from ears and nose and busy eyebrows. I haven’t developed the full Denis Healey – but i can see the direction of travel). My ire is aimedContinue reading “Why politicians get so angry about Dominic Cummings”
Author Archives: joinedupthink
Power is increasingly hidden (and way out of control)
That’s the bad news. The worse news is that we can’t do much about it as that would require international cooperation. Good luck with that one. The slightly better news is that excellent books have been written by academics/journalists to expose it. Three “must reads” have recently been published on different aspects of hidden powerContinue reading “Power is increasingly hidden (and way out of control)”
The Diploma: top rated learning for youngsters in creative agencies
The MAAG Diploma in integrated marketing is now taking bookings for this years course. Book now to avoid disappointment as it sells out and has a limited number of places. This course is top rated by attendees, has run each year for over 10 years, and is the best all round education you can find forContinue reading “The Diploma: top rated learning for youngsters in creative agencies”
How to screw up a new business pitch
( Running a workshop for an agency on winning new business pitches recently I found epic fails were more instructive) It is said that we learn more from our mistakes than successes….on that basis I should by now be a very wise person. Because, boy , have I made some mistakes. Here are five waysContinue reading “How to screw up a new business pitch”
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism
(Quick review of this must read new book by By Professor Shoshana Zuboff) You are living through a new type of capitalism – Surveillance Capitalism- that changes the rules of the game, needs to be understood in its own terms and controlled before it controls us. Our “Data signals” (from services we choose to use likeContinue reading “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism”
What will Facebook do next ?
Scandal ! ( click/share), Shock ! (click/share), Outrage !!( click/share), Anger !**! (click/Share) This is how Facebook grew its audience very fast and sold lots of ads over the past few years. It became, as the jargon has it, ” a publishing platform” and exercised the minimum possible control on what got posted lest itContinue reading “What will Facebook do next ?”
Why all marketers should get out of the office more
A show all marketers should see is Martin Parr’s photos at the National Portrait Gallery If only to see the original artwork for the excellent “Oneness” idents for BBC 1, a fine example of that classic thing – a great creative idea executed in a fresh way. The idea – like the best ideas –Continue reading “Why all marketers should get out of the office more”
The Marie Kondo phenomenon
My meditations and explanation of her success – Just published in Aurora Page 40
The psychological trick all politicians should know
What do all the following have in common ? Love it or hate it (Marmite) Probably the best lager in the world (Carlsberg) and this famous ad for VW: They are all highly successful examples of the pratfall effect which is this:- Displaying weakness increases empathy and like-ability. Imperfection and making mistakes are the stuffContinue reading “The psychological trick all politicians should know”
The uses of behavioural economics- a primer for those new to it
I have spent about a decade working on the application of BE to behaviour change/running courses on it ( since doing work for UK govt via the late lamented COI). This piece (published first in Aurora) offers a basic briefing on its application to communications. Key thought in a 100 words or less: we deludeContinue reading “The uses of behavioural economics- a primer for those new to it”