Back to Marketing 101: The importance of SWOT analysis
November 22, 2021
Back to Marketing 101: The importance of SWOT analysis
What is SWOT analysis? Before we get into the importance of SWOT analysis, let's break…
What Is Marketing Outsourcing, Really?
March 9, 2020
What Is Marketing Outsourcing, Really?
You’ve heard of marketing outsourcing, maybe even read an article or two about it. But are you still scratching your head? Is it really a good option for your business?…
#C’est la vie, Barbie?
February 21, 2014
#C’est la vie, Barbie?
What comes to mind when you hear the word “Barbie?” Does it make you cringe?…
Is Motorola the new Southwest Airlines?
January 13, 2014
Is Motorola the new Southwest Airlines?
There was a point in time, maybe four to six years ago, when Southwest Airlines…
Male performance drug advertising: Responsible or not?
December 21, 2013
Male performance drug advertising: Responsible or not?
One of the benefits of not having kids is that I’ve never had to face…
Get “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” free* when you learn about our marketing management services.
November 19, 2013
Get “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits” free* when you learn about our marketing management services.
Does your marketing have rhythm? And by "rhythm," we aren't asking if you can bust…
Nonprofits must differentiate or die
April 22, 2013
Nonprofits must differentiate or die
Differentiate or die. It’s not a fear tactic deployed by marketing agencies to scare the…
Dove Real Beauty Sketches: Responsible Marketing, I think.
April 19, 2013
Dove Real Beauty Sketches: Responsible Marketing, I think.
If you haven’t already seen this "Dove Real Beauty Sketches" clip that everyone is posting…
Can “cool” sell the Microsoft Surface?
February 23, 2013
Can “cool” sell the Microsoft Surface?
Does cool sell? Let’s take a closer look. Flashy ad featuring an equally flashy product…
Add positioning to your menu—and hold the carbs
January 30, 2013
Add positioning to your menu—and hold the carbs
I wrote this years ago. While my eating habits have changed, my opinion on the…
Marketing puffery never pays
January 14, 2010
Marketing puffery never pays
Seems we've been up to our eyeballs in positioning and message strategy work at Outsource…
Lose your job? Return your car.
January 7, 2009
Lose your job? Return your car.
As retailer desperation reaches a fever pitch and discount signs pop up everywhere, here's something…
Marketing lessons from Barack Obama
November 5, 2008
Marketing lessons from Barack Obama
Whether you are red or blue, you can't deny Barack Obama's marketing prowess. Here are…
Fail to plan? Plan to fail.
October 7, 2008
Fail to plan? Plan to fail.
Since 1997 we've met with a lot of startups. Some become clients. Some don't. Sometimes,…
Is CUIL the worst launch ever?
July 30, 2008
Is CUIL the worst launch ever?
Even though it just launched yesterday, by now you've probably heard of CUIL: the new…
Re-positioning requires more than words alone
June 9, 2008
Re-positioning requires more than words alone
Few brands ever truly reach the Holy Grail of marketing: Positioning so universal that the…
The Republican Party’s depressing new slogan
May 19, 2008
The Republican Party’s depressing new slogan
It doesn't matter whether you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian or Green Party member---this is…
Brand Tags reveals what people really think about brands
When speaking, I often do free association with brands, asking the audience to shout out…
I’ll take “responsibility” for $14
May 6, 2008
I’ll take “responsibility” for $14
Ask a room full of people to shout out the single word that comes to…
Gary Vaynerchuk on personal branding
March 12, 2008
Gary Vaynerchuk on personal branding
My partner, Eric Anderson, has been urging me to profile WineLibraryTV.com host Gary Vaynerchuk since…
