I often talk about how we are in the most disruptive time in human history and that political marketers are innovating faster than corporate marketers. A political marketer’s pace is based on one key factor and the ultimate scorecard — Election Day. It creates a “win or die” mentality and forces speed, innovation and accountability with each and every marketing campaign. We either…
November 2004. President George W. Bush had just won a second term as president. In fact, the race was decided by the state of Ohio. The margin of victory was razor thin, too. If 60,000 votes had flipped in the other direction, Democratic candidate, John Kerry, would have won the presidency. I saw this first-hand having served as the national…
Six years ago, Phillip Stutts was diagnosed with achalasia, a rare and degenerative autoimmune disease that disables the esophagus, eventually making eating impossible. For years, he took doctors at their word when they said the disease was incurable, that it could be slowed, perhaps, but not stopped. He took prescription medicines as recommended despite knowing that they have been linked to…
10–15 years ago, when you attended a concert or sporting event, two things happened every time you walked up to the concession stand….bad food and high prices. But then, innovation and disruption started to enter into the marketplace. A few years ago, stadiums started to address the “bad arena food” situation by letting upscale restaurants and high-profile chefs bring their…
Let me start this one by asking a question about your marketing: Are you connecting with your customers/clients by making them smile and endearing them to your brand? That question hit me hard when I recently saw Skechers launch a brilliant ad campaign against NIKE. This one is hilarious—check this out… On Wednesday, February 20th, the college basketball “game of…
A year ago today, my book, Fire Them Now: The 7 Lies Digital Marketers Sell…And the Truth about Political Strategies that Help Businesses Win, was released and instantly became a best seller–hitting #1 in three categories and even hitting #8 for all “Business and Investing” books on Amazon. One of the coolest moments promoting the book was spending time with Gary Vaynerchuk. Our abbreviated…
Let me ask you a question: How do you like your chardonnay to taste? Minerally or buttery? If you answered “buttery,” you probably know the wine that John Truchard built from the ashes of the Great Recession. Now, let me ask you a marketing question: How important do you think a great brand is to your business? This leads me back to…
Have you heard of the #1 independent wealth management firm in America (according to Barron’s), Creative Planning, Inc.? Creative Planning is not just a unicorn in the wealth management world, it’s a rocket ship. Going from $100 million in asset management 15 years ago to $36 billion today. That’s not a typo. In fact, they are one of the most…
Monday night was a tough moment for me. My beloved University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team lost the national championship to the Clemson Tigers in a crushing defeat, 44-16. But, I’m not here to talk football! I’m here to tell you about the INGENIOUS marketing efforts that centered around this very game. And the best part…the companies that pulled…
Let me just start off by saying — it’s been one hell of a year. I’d imagine, like me, you’ve had plenty of ups and downs, but I hope you’ve realized that with every down there’s an opportunity for growth. I promise that once you do, you’ll become grateful for it all. I know I have. This year, I have…