A few years ago, fellow author Ben Hammersley turned me on to the School of Life, a very successful London-based mecca for life-long learners, mostly Millennials, who want to live up to their potential. With classes selling out months in advance, it appeared the SOL founders had struck two primal...
Author Archives: Patricia Martin
Consumer data: Amazon Out, Wegmans In
My sister lives in Rochester, New York and over a decade ago she introduced me to the wonders of Wegmans Food Markets. An ordinary shopping trip became a portal into a vibrant world of fresh food, gourmet cooking demos, and commitment to community. It made me want to pick up...
The Superbowl’s Stage Keeps Football Lite
The entertainment slated for this Sunday’s Superbowl makes the total sponsorship package for brands a one-two-punch—sports AND entertainment. The plain truth is that, football could use a facelift, and acts like Katy Perry stand ready to deliver. It’s been a tough year for football in the popular culture. The New...
Gift Ideas
One of the things I love about the holiday season is that we have all agreed that this is the season to be generous. But I’m also welcoming a shift away from the fierce consumerism of years past, toward a kinder, gentler season of giving. In that spirit, I have...
Shine on Shinola: Three Essential Lessons From a Breakthrough Brand
In search of a deeper understanding of what makes the Shinola brand tick, I sought out a tour of its factory in Detroit, the city where I grew up. This post is about my tour, where I witnessed the life cycle of Shinola watches from start to finish. And in...
Why The Future of Branding is Not About “Digital”
“Indeed, digital now forms such an inherent part of our lives and our business that treating it as a distinct category or phenomenon often feels somewhat perverse and old-fashioned. Try telling your kids that you have a ‘digital’ TV or ‘digital’ camera. The word itself is becoming quaint.” — Sir...
Trending: The Revolution Will be Digitized–Change.org
“You can’t win with numbers in public advocacy. You win with stories.” Ben Rattray, CEO of Change.org We’re watching Change.org rack up “victories every day” just as its slogan proclaims. The platform provides an easy, accessible way for citizens to post petitions that spur social change. The service has exploded,...