Today comes the news that Sir Martin Sorrell is back in the market and competing again – he has set up “S4 capital” to acquire companies. This comes just weeks after leaving WPP. There is something smelly about this – Sir Martin, it emerges, has non-compete contractual terms that were not extended to employees ofContinue reading “Sir Martin’s contract”
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THE BIG TENSION- the insight behind successful brands today
(This article was first published in Directory – and is reproduced with their kind permission) Son (25) and daughter (23) have returned home after university: the perfect opportunity for this planner for some close-up observation of two millennials with their always- to-hand smartphones and dirty, untidied bedrooms. I pause at this point to give someContinue reading “THE BIG TENSION- the insight behind successful brands today”
How consumer culture is changing
At the privacy of our own keyboards people give up all sorts of interesting insights into what they want – and no data source is better that search. So.. Google trends is always worth a look – as well as Think with Google for a barometer for changing consumer culture- and therefore what people nowContinue reading “How consumer culture is changing”
An insight treasure trove (that all strategists should read)
Top news. The 2017 APG awards book is out. Reading it is one of the best “strategy workouts” that a planner can do. So, that’s what i am going to do – and i am going to use it illuminate what we mean by that much used word – “Insight”- and how it helps unlock greatContinue reading “An insight treasure trove (that all strategists should read)”
What’s not going to change
Here is my counter-blast against the (much promoted) idea that everything in marketing is changing. It is just published in the new issue of Market Leader – the strategic marketing journal for business leader. It is reproduced with their permission. Subscribe at http://www.warc.com/bookstore Saunders final
What’s wrong with Programmatic advertising ? (PA)
Everyone is hot for it – so what could possibly go wrong? A few things: My prediction- by the end of the year the trade press will be talking about a backlash against programmatic? Here’s why:- People intuit that they are just “target audiences” (and let’s not pretend otherwise) PA something that is done toContinue reading “What’s wrong with Programmatic advertising ? (PA)”
APG Strategy V Robots
Another excellent conference and excellent value Here are a few things i took away Steve Hilton may sound modern (took his shoes off in public/wore T-Shirt etc) but his ideas are really a reworking of ideas launched by the levellers in the 16th Century, and developed by Romantics in the 19th century- he wants thingsContinue reading “APG Strategy V Robots”
My tribute to the queen
Taken from the exhibition at the Barbican- Strange yet familiar – which is a great show
New course launched by APG
I have just designed a new course for APG ( see blurb below) – Book here What makes brands grow? How to base your strategic proposals in evidence based thinking – 20th April 9am to noon. This 3 hour workshop is a hands-on look at the critical evidence based thinking that you need to know from marketingContinue reading “New course launched by APG”
Spring gardens and cute kittens
The RA’s new blockbuster show Painting the modern garden is a sure fire hit. You can be guaranteed at least two hours of calm and visual joy contemplating all the paintings of flowers and gardens, and Monet’s Waterlilies in particular. You would not think that they were created at a time of dramatic growth in inhumaneContinue reading “Spring gardens and cute kittens”