Tag: brand strategy
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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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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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Perception is the Price Tag
In today’s cocktail culture, a drink can run anywhere from $12 to $20. Are the ingredients different? Of course. Do they cost more? Definitely. But here’s the reality: most guests don’t know what’s in the glass. They don’t know the rare amaro, the house-made syrup, the split-base spirit, or the five touches it took to…
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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…
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What’s Ahead In 2026
As we close out 2025, the marketing landscape is already whispering what’s next. If you’re thinking about how brands and local businesses can cut through noise in 2026, here are a few trends I see tipping into the mainstream – especially here in Reno–Tahoe. Hyper-Local Storytelling WinsNational campaigns still matter, but the brands that connect…