"Data is an expense – knowledge is a bargain. Collect only data that can become information, which, in turn, can become knowledge. Only knowledge can build on success and minimize failure. A company is no better than what it knows." —Lester Wunderman, from his book Being Direct Lester Wunderman was born in Bronx, New York in 1920. His father, a fur manufacturer, died on the cusp of the Great Depression. A gifted …
Does Your Agency Have An Effective Prospecting Brand?
"You don't have time to tell a story at the top of the funnel." -Lee McKnight, Jr. Lee McNight, Jr. is VP of Sales at RSW/US. RSW works with small and mid-sized agencies to help them drive new business. McKnight thinks that agency principals are bad at new business. "What I’ve always found fascinating is how good ad agencies are at the client work they do, and how terrible they typically are at doing it for …
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Republic of Gilead? Or Republic of Texas? That Is the Question
Elected officials in Texas today are reckless, careless, anti-freedom offenders. They're also largely unchecked by the opposition party. Thankfully, corporations are able to use their power and money to provide a counterbalance of sorts. For instance, starting this week people with no training whatsoever can stroll around the Lone Star State armed, loaded, and ready to fire. But not when they're buying groceries at …
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SXSW 2022 Now In Danger of Being ‘Canceled’
The lizard brains who occupy power in the Texas legislature are denying basic rights and freedoms to American citizens. It's another key victory in their Culture War, which they've been fighting for how long now? Definitely since the 1960s. With the state legislature's latest move to restrict access to abortions after six weeks, people who care about human rights are understandably angry. Women are justifiably …
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Now on Spotify: Magically Delicious Sugar-Coated Grooves
General Mills-owned cereal brand Lucky Charms is in the entertainment business. I'm happy to see the packaged goods brand recognize it and act on it. According to The Drum, Lucky the Leprechaun has dropped his debut album, "Magically Delicious," which is now available across all major streaming platforms but promoted exclusively on Spotify. The album includes eight songs. Each song is about a unique Lucky Charm …
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On BuiltIn.com Now: RFPs Are a Waste of Precious Time
To reach new and more readers, I started to send out articles for publication—articles that would have otherwise appeared in these pages. Technology-focused Built In has been kind enough to run two of my pieces, so far. Here's the latest: RFPs Are a Waste of Precious Time. Here’s a Better Way to Hire an Agency. There’s a wealth of highly specialized marketing talent available to brands today, but few brand …
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How To Stop Boring People and Make Your Presentations Sing
When you have an important presentation deck to make—and present—do you want to say all there is to know and impress the viewers with the depth of your research and knowledge on the subject? In your desire to make a good showing, did you weigh your deck down with text and graphs and lopsided thinking made to look legit? There is a much better way and there always has been. It's not about the deck, it's about …
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Media and Marketing Workers Enlist the Help of Labor Unions
Do unions and does unionization stand a chance of being adopted in the world of advertising, marketing, and media companies? "Unlikely," is my instant gut-level response. But before the idea is rejected outright by me or by you, let's spend a few minutes imagining a future where employees have much stronger footing and greater standing in their thought-worker-led workplaces. Restless Bodies, Active Minds Ernie …
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