Category: Marketing
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AI Slop? Maybe We’re Asking the Wrong Question
I’ve been seeing a lot of discussion lately about “AI slop.” You know what I’m talking about. Generic articles. Endless LinkedIn posts. Blogs that all sound the same. Some people insist they can spot AI writing a mile away. Maybe they can. But I wonder if we’re asking the wrong question. The question isn’t whether…
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Why Is Everyone Wearing Pink Cleats?
Why are so many players wearing pink cleats at the World Cup? It’s not a rule or a statement. It’s a fascinating example of how color influences attention, branding, and marketing.
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The Difference Between Marketing and Communications
Companies and organizations often use the terms marketing and communications interchangeably. They shouldn’t. While the two disciplines overlap, they serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help organizations solve the right problems and avoid investing in tactics when what they really need is clarity. When something isn’t working, the conversation often starts with marketing. “We…
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why strategy matters before tactics
Too often, organizations jump straight to tactics: “We need a new website.”“We need social media.”“We need a logo refresh.” Maybe. But those are tools – not strategy. The real questions come first:• Who are you trying to reach?• What do you want them to understand?• Why should they care?• What action should they take? When…
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it took me 30 years to describe my career correctly
I’ve been doing a little soul-searching lately. Ok… well… a lot, actually. For most of my career, people have known me as the “marketing guy.” And that’s fair – I love great design, compelling content, and creative problem solving. But when I look back over the last 30+ years, the work I’ve enjoyed most wasn’t…
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When Every Brand Starts Looking the Same: The AI Graphics Dilemma
AI has changed creative work almost overnight. Need a social graphic, product image, flyer, or ad? AI can generate something polished in seconds, often for a fraction of the cost of traditional design. For small businesses, that’s incredibly appealing. And honestly? Sometimes it’s useful. But as AI-generated graphics flood social media and marketing, something else…
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Reno Doesn’t Have a Branding Problem. It Has an Identity Problem.
Reno keeps trying to solve an identity question with branding. For decades, we’ve leaned on “The Biggest Little City in the World,” a line that speaks to size, not substance. Today, ask what Reno is and you’ll get a dozen answers. Tech hub, outdoor basecamp, college town, casino legacy. Everything, and nothing at once. The…
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AI Is Brilliant. Your Brand Still Needs a Human.
AI is incredible. Truly. It might be the most useful tool we’ve got right now. Until you ask it to make art. Because then? You see it instantly. Same lighting. Same textures. Same “almost right” faces. The same polished, slightly soulless look that shows up everywhere. It’s not bad. It’s just… obvious. And obvious doesn’t…
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Marketing Doesn’t Fix a Bad Experience | Lessons for Northern Nevada Businesses
When a business struggles in Northern Nevada, the explanation usually sounds familiar. Rent is too high. Costs went up. The economy shifted. People aren’t going out as much. And sometimes those things are true. But often, the response inside the business sounds like this: We need better marketing. More advertising. More social media. A rebrand.…
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January in Reno: Why This Is the Hardest Month to Be a Small Business Owner (and the Most Important)
January in Reno always feels a little quieter. The holidays have passed. The streets slow down. The buzz of November and December fades, and suddenly you’re left with reality. Fewer people walking through the door. Fewer emails coming in. More questions than answers. This isn’t because you’re doing anything wrong. It’s because January is structurally…