3 Brands Taking a Stand (and Why You Should Care) Posted on February 15, 2017 | April 5, 2019 by jolean From racism to immigration, more brands are taking a strong stance on social issues. For those who haven’t put a name to it yet, social advocacy is when a brand decides to address a social issue and use its voice to raise awareness and advocate for change. This blog will showcase three brands running in the minefield, and share the … Read more
Top 3 Trends to Boost Your Video Content in 2017 Posted on January 12, 2017 | October 11, 2022 by jolean I create video for a living. And man-oh-man, is it hard to keep up with trends. Technology is moving like lighting, and I’m more a slow-drizzle, look-at-my-reflection-in-the-puddles kinda gal. If you’re like me and need to pick up the pace from a mosey to a mad dash, this blog will give a brief canvass of what’s hot on the horizon.… Read more
Everything Old is New Again: Nostalgia Marketing Posted on November 17, 2016 | July 31, 2021 by jolean Mom jeans are back! Just when you think everything has been done, it comes full circle. The world is capitalizing on nostalgia marketing to draw in a new (and old) audience. From constant sequels in Hollywood, to the McRib, to television remakes like Full House, people flock to entertainment, products, and advertising that remind them of the past. This … Read more
5 Paths to Authentic Storytelling Posted on September 26, 2016 | October 17, 2021 by jolean Be authentic. It’s easy to say but hard to do. Problem: Brands today face a major “authenticity deficit” where only 1 in 5 consumers say that brands and companies are open and honest, according to a report by Cohn & Wolfe. Solution: Here are five ways that you can use authentic storytelling to not only reach audiences, but … Read more
5 Olympic Campaigns that Prove All is Right with the World Posted on August 4, 2016 | July 31, 2021 by jolean Aspirational marketing is a breath of fresh air. In this time of global unrest and social and political strife (<– understatement of the 21st century), we all need a little escape. Ok… a big escape. To a tropical location. Complete with bikinis and umbrella drinks…. Like, perhaps Rio? Capturing Aspirational Content Today’s blog will showcase the aspirational work to … Read more
How (and Why) to Harness Empathy in Storytelling Posted on July 18, 2016 | October 10, 2022 by jolean A Case Study As advertisers, marketers and communicators, our job is to make content that engages and inspires our audience to take action. For that to happen, it’s not enough to reason with them with facts and figures. You have to move them in some way. For instance, with a story of the Army Sgt. who was awarded this Purple … Read more
3 Ways Brands Can Learn Storytelling from Cartoons Posted on July 1, 2016 | April 5, 2019 by jolean It was our first appointment viewing. Our first open-mouthed, awe-inspired, aspirational experiences with storytelling: cartoons. You might think what Wile E. Coyote and SpongeBob can teach us is well, elementary, but you would be wrong. Whether it’s a factual story, a fictional one, or a promotional story like advertising or marketing, we can all learn from storytelling tools to be … Read more
How Brands Get Content in Crisis Communications Wrong Posted on June 18, 2016 | April 5, 2019 by jolean At no other time are the stakes higher for your brand than during a crisis, and at no other time do brands miss an enormous opportunity. How do they get content wrong? Hint: they don’t have any. The brand might have a crisis communications plan, even a robust, practiced one, but I guarantee they won’t have related content to … Read more
Don’t Eat Paint: How to Use Humor in Brand Storytelling Posted on June 3, 2016 | October 25, 2022 by jolean This article was originally posted June 2016 and updated January 2022. Humor. It’s one of the most effective and yet, underutilized tools in the storytelling toolbox. Too many brands shy away from humor because if you take the joke too far, or marginalize a group, or lack self-awareness, it can be worse than falling flat. It can damage your … Read more
It’s Your Show: How to Use Branded Entertainment Posted on May 22, 2016 | October 25, 2022 by jolean This article was originally posted in May 2016 and updated in January 2022. Branded entertainment is the way forward for brands struggling to reach consumers. So many brands are experiencing marketing malaise; this feeling that no matter what you try, you’re just not getting the awareness, conversions, or sales that you once did. Branded entertainment is branded content produced by … Read more