Paul Mellor’s Post

Great insights on what defines a 'brave brand' and a 'brave marketer'! I completely agree that courage and following your instincts are key traits. In a data-driven world, it's refreshing to see brands like Irn-Bru, Heinz, and Step One daring to be different and making bold moves. Optimism and a willingness to take risks truly set these brands apart, creating unique and memorable connections with their audiences, whether through advertisements, social media, or on-pack presentations. Kudos ⚡️ Brave Spark Creative Studio for championing this mindset and celebrating those who trust their instincts to drive innovation and creativity in marketing! #BraveMarketing #BrandInnovation #MarketingStrategy https://lnkd.in/gpBYgMJQ

To founders who want to quit being brand-washed. One of the things I preach over and over again is: Shortcuts and secret hacks don't build brands. And yet... I see a lot of chit-chat floating around about: • Brand equals just being yourself • Likes and engagement. • Large audience means better. • Content and going viral. I have no idea who teaches this stuff. But if you believe any of the above. Take it as a sign that: YOU'VE BEEN BRAND-WASHED. And it's time to see a brand doctor. Now don't get me wrong. These tricks & tips probably work. But the way I see it: It's short term thinking. Another thing is: Brand is perception. So, If you're nail down your branding. You need to understand that: It takes planning and strategy. Not some wishy-washy secret formula. Samson Damilare --- #founder #branding #marketing

Day 17 of the social media challenge - “lean into the fear and do it anyway” Yes, I’m in the car!!! 🙈 Today, I want to talk to you about the idea of “Brand from the inside out.” This whole journey has been about me unpacking my thoughts around this, and I’ve realised this whole thing is woo-woo. But Brand strategy is the woo-woo part of Brand - perhaps that’s why I love it. Sitting down with my clients who want to build something memorable. Fleshing out thoughts and wisdom, hearing them talk so passionately, and helping them build an empire … yes Empire!!! When you start with Brand strategy you are treating every customer as a repeat customer … someone to nurture, love, and look after. I told you it was woo-woo. 😉 But in that process, you find your tribe, you elevate your business from bland to “Oh my God, I need that in my life!” I’d love to know what you thought and about your business. What inspires you? What lifts you up? Marissa Brown (brand) your friendly Kiwi brand marketeer 🧡 Keep going. #GWinfluencer #getgutsybrand #brandinsideout

Why do brands get stuck making faulty assumptions that often sound quite logical? Brands lie to themselves for the same reason we all lie to ourselves. Safety. Brands lean into their strengths and then project those strengths onto their audience. (When I say "project" I mean a psychological "projection" in the psychoanalytic sense). Meaning, that when a brand says "Our audience needs X" it's often not because the audience actually wants X but because the brand is strong in offering X. Instead of understanding the ecosystem & the market, they project that what the market needs is "them" & their strengths. So it only becomes an exercise in getting people to see that reality. Of course, when stated this way, you can see how futile that would be. This is because it's quite frightening to admit that what the market needs is something you're not. The challenge for a brand is to be able to come to terms with harsh realities so that they can capitalize on them. Often the market doesn't have a true solution for what it demands because all the brands in the vertical are operating with faulty or outdated assumptions and are afraid to leap into something unknown or to pivot into something new. If you can... that's a true and fundamental competitive advantage. #marketing

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 When it's not about the marketing, but your vibe turns into the ad! 🌟 From trips on the roads to the tasty food, these "bros" have done more for brands than any planned campaign ever could. They've styled, they've tasted, they've traveled, and inadvertently turned into the best brand ambassadors! 😎 Who needs a billboard when you've got style, flavor, and a story that resonates with everyone? Which everyday icon do you think could be the next brand phenomenon without even trying? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 #Engagement #Discussion #BrandPower

The key difference between a good brand and a great one? Emotion. Great brands evoke emotions. Let me share a recent experience with a brand I am loyal to, Drink LMNT, which inspired this post. They made me feel: 💚 Special 💚 Included 💚 Proud 💚 Valued How? By sending me (and other loyal insiders) their newest product to sample before its public release yesterday. I received 8 cans of their new sparkling beverage in the mail last week (I noticed a package was arriving and was so confused because my subscription wasn’t due yet). I was surprised and delighted when I got the box. In fact, I was so excited I posted about it on Instagram. A lot of people replied they got the same box and they were also just as thrilled. Kudos to their marketing team! Mission accomplished: LMNT successfully placed their new product in the hands of already loyal customers, who were highly likely to spread the word, garnering millions of free impressions. (Smart move, right?) ➡️✨ But what they may not have anticipated was the sense of belonging it instilled in us—making us feel like genuine insiders, special and valued. ✨⬅️ Brands, take note: Before launching any campaign, product, or service, ask yourselves: How will this make our intended audience feel? Because overlooking the emotional impact means missing the mark. 💥 I'd love to hear from you: Do you consider emotional impact when crafting creative briefs or preparing to launch something? Or have you had an experience that sparked an emotion worth sharing? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let's Grow! 🌱

What happens when you don’t innovate and you don’t have good marketing? It looks like Sara Lee may be the next legacy brand to go down. Due to financial issues, Sara Lee will be going into administration. I love Sara Lee’s pound cakes and I’ve been eating then since I was a kid. I’d even bought one a month ago. I used to run ecstatically to the freezer, grab a Sara Lee pound cake, struggle to slice off a piece, fight for the end piece(s), scrap off anything stuck to the foil or the cardboard cover, and eat anything off the knife. Some days we’d even pair the slice with a scoop of Wall’s Neapolitan ice cream. It is baffling to imagine how such an iconic brand with such legendary products have failed so miserably. The taste hasn’t been compromised and the distribution seems unchanged, but I don’t recall ever seeing any marketing or any attempt at innovation. Where was the top of mind awareness? When you already have brand loyalty from several generations, you need to remind them ever so often or at the very least once in a while, to get them to buy your products. What about growing the audience pool? Without any marketing campaigns, you will not be able to get new followers. It seems like Sara Lee was simply trying to ride on their brand name and just focus on sales, because “marketing is an unnecessary cost center”. Is isn’t now, is it? #marketing #innovation #branding #topofmind #awareness

In marketing, nurturing your audience over time is key.🔔 You're not just selling a product; you're cultivating a relationship. Think of it as a story unfolding. Your brand becomes a character in the narrative of your audience's life. They might not need your product today, but when they do, you want to be the hero they remember. It's about being present in their story consistently, adding value, and creating a connection. This journey is about trust, familiarity, and building a genuine relationship. So, even if they aren't ready to buy today, when the time comes, they instinctively turn to the brand that's been a reliable presence throughout their journey. It's a game of patience and consistency, ensuring that your melody resonates when their moment to make a purchase arrives.

Here are 4 must-know marketing tidbits: 1. The Golden Rule of Marketing: Give value first, ask for money second. 2. Marketing isn't about selling - it's about building relationships. Today's consumers are looking for authenticity, transparency, and a genuine connection with brands. That's why it's more important than ever to focus on creating meaningful interactions with your audience. 3. The power of marketing lies not in what you say about your brand, but in what your customers say about it. Foster advocacy, and let your customers do the talking. 4. Good marketing builds bridges between brands and customers. It fosters relationships based on shared values and mutual benefits, not just transactions. Marketer Tips #ThoughtProcessMatters

𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡. Emotional marketing, in its simplest form, is the strategy of evoking strong emotions to influence purchasing decisions. It’s like a secret handshake between your brand and your customer’s heart. It’s not about the features of your product or the price tag attached to it instead it’s about the story you tell, the emotions you stir, and the connection you forge. It’s about making your audience feel seen, heard, and understood. Emotional marketing is more than just a strategy, it’s about recognizing that your customers are not just wallets with legs, but human beings with hearts. It’s about understanding that emotions are the driving force behind every decision we make and that by tapping into these emotions, you can influence behavior in a way that no rational argument can. It’s about creating a bond with your customers that goes beyond the transactional and enters the realm of emotions. Here are some examples of emotional marketing ⬇️. ...................................................................... #emotionalmarketing #brandgrowth #advertising #LinkedInconsultant #LinkedInforcreators