You've probably heard that Lowe's pulled its advertising from reality TV show All-American Muslim. The home improvement company says it made a business decision based on its assertion that the show is a "lightning rod" for "strong political and societal views." The...
What's up with the "2 for 1" sales trend these days? My thinking on pricing, rates, and value is pretty clear. And I don't understand why some people think every deal is a bargain: "Buy 1, get 1 free" suggests the item is overpriced. "Buy 1, get the second free (just...
Sometimes you have to know when to let go: The best small business owners are constantly innovating—rethinking a product, redesigning our Web sites, tweaking our marketing approaches, testing productivity tools and technologies. It’s what we do. But we’re...
I've talked before about how brand loyalty isn't eroding (we're just saving our loyalty for where we feel valued). Today I'm doing to share four lessons from an organization that just doesn't get it: The Shakespeare Theatre. Lesson #1: People are more likely to donate...
Is brand loyalty dead? One of the interesting findings in the IBM survey of CMOs ( here is is my take on the overall report) is that companies are unprepared to deal with "decreasing brand loyalty." They're asking the wrong question. Were travelers loyal to Wells...
I met "Shuttle Driver" the last time I stayed at this hotel in Atlanta. His actual name is Ghassan, but you wouldn't know that from the generic business card his employer provided him. Same for the reception desk staff. And Michael, the awesome dude who cajoled me to...
Write a book. Call it a manifesto. Give people a choice between Wonder Bread and funkiness. And then, when you get to the end, tell your readers that you've both wasted your time if you think you've got it figured out. Seth Godin is a brilliant marketer. We Are All...
F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that "the rich are different from you and me." (And Ernest Hemingway, unblinded by bling, is said to have replied, "Yes, they have more money.) Turns out, when it comes to marketing, money doesn't seem to yield a big advantage. According...
"Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead." Patrick Witt played a...
I no longer have Klout. I'm not sure what pushed me over the edge. Maybe it was the endless notifications urging me to urge my friends to sign up. Or the incessant efforts to get me to link to my Facebook account. Or the fact that it was so easy to game--and I don't...