Think pieces

An emergency guide to writing protest signs

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As protestors tap into the power of the slogan, Nick Asbury looks at some of the most effective techniques.

Top moments for black culture and hip hop during lockdown

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If someone had said to me back in December this is what 2020 is going to look like I would not have believed them!

How do we share the burden of change?

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The status quo that our society has been built upon is not fit for purpose. Racism and systemic racial disparities haven’t just come to light this last week

Ramadan, The Savoy and unconscious racism

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My LinkedIn feed this week has been full of posts about the recent brutal racist attacks on the black community in America.

Ben & Jerry's: Is a brand that stands for nothing a thing of the past?

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We know from experience that brands don’t like to rock the boat. Mistakenly thinking that it’s best to stay in the middle lane.

Black Lives Matter: brands who are doing it right

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Many brands are now making Black Lives Matter statements, but a rare few are actually contributing to change.

IN THE WAKE OF GEORGE FLOYD: the industry needs to admit it’s racist

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Dear marketers and advertisers, In the wake of George Floyd’s death we’ve seen some of you provide messages of support and solidarity

Modern marketers can learn a lot from the Scottish Enlightenment

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Great 18th century thinkers such as Mary Somerville, David Hume and Adam Smith didn’t have marketing in mind but their ideas can still offer inspiration, writes Rod Gillies

Black lives matter: why are so many brands silent?

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Twitter is full of coverage of Black Lives Matter protests in the US (and increasingly around the world). Every hour new proof of police brutality...

Human resilience: What your people need during COVID-19

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During a crisis like COVID-19, people look to leaders for compassion, care and confidence in navigating the company into the future. We detail specific physical, mental and relationship needs workers have, based on our data. We share a checklist for immediate actions from the C-suite on the people front.

COVID-19: Five new human truths

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COVID-19 is the biggest global event—and challenge—of our lifetimes. As such, it is changing human attitudes and behaviors today...

Is your programmatic working media actually working?

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Where does the money go, and who gets what? This is the million-dollar question of Programmatic Supply Chain Transparency.

If purpose can’t solve our problems, maybe taxes can

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I’ve always had a hard time swallowing our industry’s self-regarding and dishonest conception of brand purpose.

10 tips to harness the power of brand-led design

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I’m often asked about how to get the best out of creative teams when working on design and visual identity projects.

The return to business

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At the outset of the COVID-19 crisis, most organisations needed to focus on their immediate survival.

Brands go DIY

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With most of the world locked inside the confines of their homes, restaurants and F&B brands are having a trickier time than most.

A new marketing

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I was scared, very scared when this pandemic started. I was scared for my own health – I’m Type 1 diabetic

Diamonds in the dirt

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The COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdown means that 2020 will stick in marketers’ memory for years and not for positive reasons

Protect for Today, Build for Tomorrow

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In times of uncertainty user behaviour constantly changes, because of this brands need to be agile with their onsite experience

The Walrus and the Carpenter reveal the new normal

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Julian Boulding writes about the positive opportunities and benefits which our lockdown, social distancing and travel bans are bringing to us.

Inspired Us: Michael Jordan, Erykah Badu and a Finnish bakery

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Gina Waite, Account Director, and Lavinia Acheampong, Account Director, both at CSM, tell us what's inspired them this month.