Humble Brands – could this be the new brand imperative?

posted by Hilton Barbour on February 20th, 2013 under Brand Strategy, Bright & Shiny, Cause Marketing, Challenger Brands, Insight, Up-close and personal

Humble leaders are exalted. Why not Humble brands? Here are three that show it can be done impact fully.

The definitive A-Z of Challenger Brands

posted by Hilton Barbour on January 29th, 2013 under Brand Strategy, Campaigns, Challenger Brands, Contact Strategy, Creativity, Insight, Social Media, Up-close and personal

Challenger brands are the future of solid brands. Here’s the definitive A-Z reference for why.

Apple : The sad fall of a Challenger Brand icon

posted by Hilton Barbour on December 31st, 2012 under Brand Strategy, Campaigns, Challenger Brands, General Rants

Apple was one of the original Challenger brands. Sadly, it has lost its Challenger mojo.

Four Marketing Lessons from the US 2012 Election

posted by Hilton Barbour on November 9th, 2012 under Brand Strategy, Campaigns, Content Marketing, global, Up-close and personal

The longest, most expensive Presidential campaign in history has important lessons for marketers globally

Customer Dilemma : Give them what they want or what they need?

posted by Hilton Barbour on September 11th, 2012 under Brand Strategy, Campaigns, Client Relationships, Consumerism, Social Media

Customers have no problem telling us what they want. Should we always give it to them?

Lessons from the NBC, United and Progressive failures

posted by Hilton Barbour on August 22nd, 2012 under Brand Strategy, Client Relationships, Consumerism, General Rants, Social Media, Up-close and personal

Business may be tougher in today’s socially-connected world. Some fundamentals remain unchanged.

Entrepreneurship. Difficult to spell. Harder to live.

posted by Hilton Barbour on July 23rd, 2012 under Bright & Shiny, Contact Strategy, General Rants, Up-close and personal

Being an entrepreneur is a constantly evolving personal journey. Here’s what I’ve learnt so far.

Forget mature brands, start acting like a teenager

posted by Hilton Barbour on June 26th, 2012 under Brand Strategy, Challenger Brands, Scenario Planning, Up-close and personal

We revere mature brands. Maybe we should be paying more attention to those that act like teenagers.

That will never fly…

posted by Hilton Barbour on June 11th, 2012 under Scenario Planning, Start-ups, Up-close and personal

Saying no will always be the easier choice in business. Saying Yes takes real heart.

Pitches : Agency growth strategy or Agent Orange?

posted by Hilton Barbour on May 17th, 2012 under Advertising & Agencies, Client Relationships, General Rants, Start-ups, Up-close and personal

New Business should be the life-blood of any agency. Increasingly it feels desperate and futile.

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