Think pieces

Why all consumer decisions are rational

Many years ago I did a research project for Rolex interviewing men in a number of European countries.  In England

A brand creates myths while at the same time telling the truth

 I can’t claim credit for that excellent paradox - I think Tim Ambler gets the credit – but it is

Growing up digitally: change drivers in marketing

'We have been talking about change for at least 10 years now, but my belief is that in the last

Notes from the 2011 Conference: The Day of Global Leaders

Chaired by Nick Higham, BBC news correspondent, this year’s conference covered a wide range of global leadership themes delivered by

Is Murdoch’s political power just a myth?

I’ve always liked the parable of the Wizard of Oz.  Fans of that fabulous film will recall the climactic moment

Is Facebook taking us all for mugs?

facebook

It may look as though I have a fixation about Facebook and I have to admit I probably do.  But

Is Facebook making us miserable?

Several months ago I heard man called Douglas Rushkoff (originator of the terms, digital native and digital immigrant) speaking at

Innovating on a shoestring: the story of the Chicago Pizza Pie Factory

Reading an article recently about those plucky inventors who built computers or printers in their garages and went on to

In praise of boredom

Recently two blogs caught my eye, ‘Why I returned my iPad’ and ‘How to break your email addiction’, both of

How to prevent a financial crisis

Here’s a startling statistic:  according to Bloomberg, women run just 3%  of UK hedge funds but produce  55% better returns than

How to dissatisfy a customer

Several years ago I was looking for a particularly powerful desk lamp for my rather badly lit office. You’d think

How do you contribute to good customer experiences

Last year my handbag was stolen by a very professional thief who instantly  ferreted out my clumsily disguised PIN number

How can marketing represent customers when call centres hog the relationship?

The most widely acknowledged source of stress-in-modern-life index typically puts death of a spouse or close relative/friend first, followed by

Digital natives as employees

One of the requirements for good forecasting is to be fairly old.  In fact the older the better when it

Crisis management skills needed

If PR companies aren’t overwhelmed with business now they are missing a trick.  The BP spill has been well covered

Being good at everything

magazines

Judie Lannon, editor of Market Leader, The Marketing Society’s quarterly journal delves into the history of our magazine and argues

Bad attitude or just trapped in a broken business model?

The  chirpy ‘have a good day’ US approach to service is regularly praised – not just in comparison to a

As companies become more marketing-led, are marketers getting squeezed?

A conversation at a Marketing Society dinner, in which Mike Cass expressed concern that in many companies ‘marketing’ was becoming

Can you empathize with Facebook

I am sure by now you have all seen “that ad” – the Facebook Ad of course, the one done

Marketing is mainly lip service

Years ago in America, Listerine had an antiseptic liquid they needed to find a use for.
So they invented bad

Digital is changing the real world

Faris Yakob is the chief innovation officer, MDC Partner, holding company of ad agencies including Crispin Porter + Bogusky and