What a Trump or Biden win means for comms firms
A lot rides on the election for comms and marketing firms vying for federal contracts.
Three reasons why sustainability is here to stay
Brands that lean into sustainability, especially through strong imagery, will connect with a broad consumer audience on one of the most universally important issues of our time
Corporate brands must lead the charge on social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility only succeeds when it comes from the top down.
Why nearly half of marketers are unhappy with their brand’s COVID-19 response
"In this environment, it is more important than ever that brands clearly understand their role in consumers’ lives and know how to take action based on that role."
The 'un-marketing' of the Olympics and how brands can do better next time
The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang were a marketing fail, says Organic's VP of client services.
Leapfrog past the competition with purpose
What audiences say about a brand is more important than what the brand says about itself, says AHA's executive creative director.
Want to increase love for your brand? Bare your soul.
Brands that don't look deep within to find their souls will make hollow progress, says TBWA\Chiat\Day LA's chief strategy officer.
PyeongChang 2018: The quest for Olympic gold...for brands
Just like the athletes, whether or not marketers have what it takes will play out on the global stage, says Momentum Worldwide's president and CMO.
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Where are all the innovative women? At DMEXCO.
On the heels of Forbes' list of 99 innovative men (and one woman), the global digital marketing conference proved there are plenty of groundbreaking female leaders--but we need to adjust our biases (and our algorithms) to find them.
Here's how to nail authenticity in the workplace
The Starcom president recognizes the irony in his advice, having worked in an industry that once put glue in bowls of cereal to make milk look creamier.
#TimesUp isn't going anywhere anytime soon
Here's what we've learned at SXSW so far, says Cogeco Peer 1's VP and GM for the US and Latin America.
3 questions every marketer should ask before engaging with feminism
Those of us who want to make true feminist content must more closely examine our approach to gender politics, says a creative strategist at Vox Creative.
A call to press for (more) progress
There's a long way to go before leadership at the top represents the many dynamic women hidden in the shadows, says Ogilvy's worldwide chief communications officer.
Why women shouldn't be taxed on feminine products
Periods are not a luxury period, says J. Walter Thompson's worldwide CEO.
The Women's Day conundrum
Instead of making sure your company "shows up" as a company that supports women, it's much more productive to spend that time and effort working with women within your organization, says Zambezi's CEO.
This Women's History Month, there's more we can all do
Our industry has begun to take greater stock in how we treat female leaders and staff, and challenge those who act inappropriately, but it's only a start, says Rauxa's founder.
Back to the future: Rebundling and speed are the new reality for agencies
It's time to end the agency refrain "we are the experts." Expertise is a trap, because it's a notion set in the past.
What the women's movement now needs most is...you
There are too many of us who are cheering from the bleachers but are not out in the world helping to make a palpable difference, says Ogilvy USA's chief talent officer.
Strategy lessons from football: anticipate or observe?
You can't just watch where the ball is expected to go or even where the ball is going, says a strategist at mono.
Why repulsion is the secret to modern marketing
We define ourselves not only by what we are, but what we aren't, and we respond well to things that attack, invalidate or oppose the "other" point of view, says Sense New York.
Despite the expense, TV awards show season is marketing gold
They still represent a cultural moment, which is why social conversation around them only continues to grow, says Droga5's Samantha Deevy.
For marketers about to rock, we salute you
The marketing world is flush with people who have creative backgrounds, and their experiences drive their professional success, says Blue River's CCO.
One year in Trump's America: what advertisers and marketers have learned about the rest of the country
Characterizations of the American identity have shifted in profound ways, says Y&R's global eXploring director.
Alone again, naturally. Why solitude is what you've been missing.
All this connectedness and time together isn't making us feel more fulfilled or boosting our creativity. In fact, what we really need is time alone, says RPA's associate human resources director.
Trump them all: Five things the 45th president shows us about using emotive language
While his comments often come across to some as ridiculous or outrageous, it's hard to deny his choice of words is powerful, says Persado's co-founder.
Ahead of the curve: how to plan for the unpredictability of real-time moments
Instead of having to react to moments and force ourselves into conversation, we can develop a strategy ahead of time, says Droga5's data strategy director.
Missed opportunities in purposeful transformation
By helping brands communicate purpose, agencies gain advantage, says Mirum's marketing and brand strategist.
The distraction economy doesn't work on the Unreachables
How do advertisers reach consumers who don't want to be reached? It's not by jingling a shiny object in front of them, says the US general manager of Acast.
Filling the integrity void
As time has shown, poor judgment from the C-Suite throughout the business world has become emblematic of the need to overhaul how our industry is managed, says RAPP's global CEO.
Why advertising shouldn't fear mental illness
As professional communicators, it's about time we figured out how we can initiate those conversations, says a creative director at RTO+P.
How to keep clients in an industry known for turnover
Every client, every project is a jump ball, and the fact that we worked together yesterday and today is no indication that we will work together tomorrow.
Stop marketing to Gen Z and start helping them
Rather than try to convince this generation to put down their phones, marketers would be doing Gen Z a favor if they emphasized the community-based aspects of phone communication.
Halloween is the new Christmas
Halloween is is full of opportunities for a broader variety of retailers, for a broader variety of reasons, says 22squared's strategy director.
The kids are alright and in charge, and what it means for marketers
Today's families are making decisions differently. And that's because there's a new kid in town.
Women in advertising: what the glass ceiling gave us
It's imperative that we're honest about how discrimination is still impacting women in the workplace, says Quantcast's VP of marketing.
Middle America is emerging as a startup powerhouse
Far from emulating the excesses of Silicon Valley, these companies thrive on caution, collaboration and community beliefs, says sparks & honey's CEO.
The B2B consumer: marketing innovation to the millennial generation
Younger generations want to feel as if their interest, and not just their money, is genuinely valued, says Elsevier's senior strategic marketing manager.
Let's not take ourselves too seriously
Key learnings from a 6-year-old at 'bring your kids to work' day
Preventing agency burnout is a team effort
Companies need to build a supportive, purpose-driven workplace culture says GYK Antler's COO.
When A-List celebrities become unpaid spokespeople for the tobacco industry
The fashion and entertainment industries seem stubbornly and dangerously stuck in the past as they fall back on old stereotypes, says Truth Initiative's CEO.
A dozen things I've learned in 15 years at my own agency
Honesty, transparency and fairness are the keys to success for a small agency, says Smith Gifford's CEO.
Why we need sponsored entertainment, not branded content
Instead of making short form films and buying likes, more brands should consider investing in sponsored entertainment that people will pay to watch, writes the producer of Werner Herzog's "Lo and Behold."
Why working from home kills culture
Remote work policies serve the needs of the employee, not the company. There is no shared value, writes the president of Boston-based advertising agency Connelly Partners.
Close the gap: The state of the 'total market' industry
If we do not get the total market topic right, businesses could lose the next 50 years of market share, writes author and founder of Reframe: The Brand.
It's not just creatives who need to ditch the stereotypes
It's great that we're battling the stereotypes in ads, but we won't win the war until brands apply the same logic to targeting, says Rob Bassett, the head of UK and EU multinational advertising at eBay
ANA report: A cure for what ails you?
Crossmedia's managing partner and co-founder reviews the ANA's prescription for media transparency
More than buying razors: Why Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club
Unilever's billion dollar swoop for Dollar Shave Club isn't just about bringing a successful brand into its stable -- it's a recognition that the CPG market may have changed for good.
With creativity first, business will follow
Creative directors shouldn't just run departments. They should lead the whole damn thing, says Mark Figliulo
The silent damage of a bad Chinese brand name
Resonance China's Jerry Clode explains how a poorly-chosen Chinese brand name can cause "silent damage" to your brand over the long run
Make no mistake: The vote for Brexit is a vote against digital
Digital disruption has created big winners but, for most people, it has made the world a scary place
Marketers should wait 30 days before trying to make a mark
"Fresh" is not always a good thing, writes Passion's partner. Give yourself a chance to grow into the role
Time to leave your agency? 5 questions to ask.
Ask these five important questions before you decide to make a change, writes RPA's vp and creative social media director
Why a total lack of perspective might be a good thing
Our week together losing and gaining perspective at Cannes Lions might be our most important work of the year, writes the chief creative officer and co-head of CAA Marketing
Sometimes it's OK for it not to be about the work
Every now and then a year comes along when the real world eclipses industry conversations, writes the managing director of TBWA\Chiat\Day New York
Madonna Badger: Ads objectifying women should be rejected by Cannes
It's time the festival adheres to its own entry rules and withdraw ads that objectify women, writes the CCO of Badger and Winters and founder of #WomenNotObjects
Why everyone is voting for me, myself and I
The CEO of Havas PR North America examines the paradoxes of patriotism in 2016
A prescription to help end gun violence
It's time for the industry to shape a new conversation around what has officially been declared a public health crisis, writes the global chief creative officer of Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness
The baffling Brexit
Brands will need to expand their strategies to better support, help and service a sizable consumer group, Britain's low-income workers, writes the worldwide director of the Innovation Group at J. Walter Thompson
GroupM's Rob Norman offers new rules of engagement after ANA transparency skirmish
After criticizing the ANA's recent transparency report, GroupM's North American chairman outlines new guidelines for media agencies and their clients.
Isn't creativity already a force for social good?
Droga5's David Kolbusz and Dylan Williams remind Cannes judges that, while awarding work claimed to do good in the world is de rigueur, the very best commercial creativity has its own positive societal effect
Disarming America with humor
Satire should drive the narrative in the gun control debate, not fear, writes the CEO of School
Balancing the power: Why there are so few female creatives
There are so few female creatives because men approve, buy and judge the work, Rosie Arnold writes
Avoid hiring talented jerks ... They'll destroy morale
Monster's marketing chief explains why great teams build great brands
Trust but verify: The future of the client-agency relationship
The ANA report exposed the industry need for a new business environment based on trust and verification, writes the president of Rubicon Project
Tamara Ingram: How to get more women in creative departments
JWT's chief executive, will debate how we can recruit, retain and develop female talent with a panel of creative women at the IPA and 4A's 'World Wise Women' session in Cannes. To set the scene, she shares her top tips on how to get more women in creative departments
Contract killers: What the ANA report means for media agreements
If you treat your agency like a vendor, don't be surprised when they perform like one, writes the CEO of Assembly
Judging the ADC Awards: A suit's perspective
The president of Ming Utility and Entertainment on what it was like to judge her first creative awards competition
Protein World's revival of 'beach body ready' is a lesson for bland brands
Elmwood's "provocation director" is bored with the culture of apology in branding and advertising
There are no bad days in advertising
A visit with two wounded warriors helped the CCO of White64 put things into perspective
Why a Music Lion will mean more than a Grammy
The convergence of music and branding has never been more relevant, writes Grey's director of music and president of Cannes' first Music Lions
Why the Post-it War makes me proud of my agency
And it's not just because we're winning, writes the global CEO of Havas Worldwide
Why your 'innovative' marketing campaign failed
Marketers have a chronic commitment issue with technology, writes Blippar's president of global marketing
The rise of the twentysomething creative class
The founder and creative director of Mistress finds inspiration in the young
The rise of the rebel brand
Frpm Trump to Equinox, brands with polarizing positions are proving popular, writes the Brand Union strategist
Why the marketing industry is failing to attract the best and brightest talent
The marketing industry is nothing without the right talent. The global marketing director of Travelex believes we're not doing enough to face up to the massive challenges ahead
Three takeaways: The FTC's first deceptive marketing case under new native ad rules
What every marketer should know about the Federal Trade Commission's Lord & Taylor case
Future gazing to 2026: VR a decade after Oculus Rift's consumer launch
The creative director of Framestore's VR Studio imagines a time when the technology has completely transformed work and home life
How to shoot, score and electrify like The Golden State Warriors
Advertisers and agencies should borrow from the playbook of the history-making NBA team, writes the president and CEO of BBDO San Francisco
Management tips from a #Girlboss
No longer are we willing to accept that we deserve less of anything because we're women, writes the president of Pitch
Drop the June Cleaver stereotype, please
Despite changing dynamics of modern families, advertising still largely holds mothers to unattainable standards of perfection, writes the managing director of Maxus Chicago
'American Idol' will be right back
Talk of a revival is cresting just as the show says farewell. Maybe all we need is a (short) break from each other?
Where are all the female creative directors?
My agency does not have a single female creative director in Cincinnati, and that needs to change, writes an ECD at Possible
There's a different kind of lightning in Seattle
How to bring the city's culture of creativity and innovation into everything you do
Hey marketers, you left SXSW too soon
The founder of VonShine Industries says most SXSW Interactive attendees missed out on a great opportunity
Three years in, one CEO's lessons
The CEO of The Martin Agency offers some insights from the corner office
Tales from SXSW: I stayed in a twin bed and no one noticed
Resolution Media's SVP of integration gives his keyword-enabled take on SXSW Interactive
Why brands love the everyman appeal of St Patrick's Day
One of the largest global parties of the year, St Patrick's Day continues to prove that it has a special place in the hearts of people and brands alike, writes Mcgarrybowen London's CEO
Sexist bosses: What a difference a decade doesn't make
Faced with a misogynistic boss, Nancy Vonk refused to stay silent. Now, former co-chief creative officer of Ogilvy & Mather Toronto implores others to speak up.
What cause movements can learn from 'Just Say No'
Nancy Reagan's signature campaign was groundbreaking, sincere and flawed.
SXSW Diary: The singles scene
Single women and how to best market to them was a popular topic of conversation at the Austin festival on Saturday, writes the worldwide director of J. Walter Thompson's Innovation Group
How the myth of the 'nurturing' female boss hurts women
Let's stop assuming all women bring mothering skills to their day jobs, writes the joint-CEO North America at Grace Blue
Politicians are giving advertising a bad name
The profession has long had its share of critics, but this political season is making it worse, writes the former agency executive and founder of HonestAds
Mind the (generation) gap
Brand New School's managing partner discusses subverting the bad rap for Millennials in the workplace
#AdvertisingSoWhite: It's an industry thing, you wouldn't understand
There are some not-so-surprising similarities between Hollywood and Madison Avenue
Are agencies missing the real opportunity to do good?
The CEO of Possible asks why so many stick to slacktivism when they could be doing so much more
It's not all about Millennials or Generation Z, people
Age is just a number; needs, passions and goals are what brands should be focusing on, writes the chief strategy officer of Oliver UK
The athleticism of fashion
The president of BAV Worldwide looks at the success of collaborations between sportswear and high fashion
Is advertising creating culture or polluting it?
Most modern advertising feels like brands throwing temper tantrums, writes Blippar's president of global marketing
Cracking the luxury code in America
The leading global market for luxury goods, the US represents a rich opportunity for high-end "Made in the USA" products, writes director of McCann Truth Central
Voter sentiment and your brand
There is much to be gleaned from the primaries in free information, writes Siegel+Gale's research director
Growing up is hard to do
Mindshare North America's head of insights on the rise of the Peter Pan Market
The Super Bowl thanks its biggest sponsor, God
Ogilvy & Mather's chief creative officer, North America considers how football's faithful protect their own
How US brands can win Chinese New Year
The regional planning director of Geometry Global China gives tips on how brands can stand out in a sea of monkeys
An Englishman abroad, trying to enjoy the Super Bowl
Publicis New York CCO Andy Bird recently moved to Gotham from London, and he's bloody well doing his best to appreciate our football
When did Agency of Record become a dirty word?
The CEO of The BAM Connection examines the unintended consequences of project work
Hope and change: Did we win?
As Obama finishes out his last days in the White House, Omnicom's chief diversity officer considers progress made
When storytellers become the story: Sean Penn and Rolling Stone
The CEO of Havas PR considers the mix of ego, sensationalism and business savvy that drove this tale to press
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