Musings on Marketing, Branding, Advertising & More

We all have opinions on the topic. Here’s the data.

As consumer behaviors have evolved rapidly in recent years, so has the debate around inbound marketing versus outbound marketing as effective approaches to selling today's products and services. Is it push or pull that will give brands the biggest bang for their buck or is it a combination of both? The answer is yes, yes and yes. Oh, and a little bit of gray.

After two decades in marketing and advertising, I’m always amazed by how technology trends have made it easier than ever to perform numerous tasks on a daily basis without drowning in multiple software programs and apps. Seriously, it’s awesome. One of my favorites is CRM...

So, first off, let’s clear up the usual confusion that exists between the terms augmented reality and virtual reality. Virtual reality replaces the real world with a simulated one. It’s a technology that’s been around for decades. Think simulated environments displayed on a computer screen or using headsets where an entire world can be created with your personal avatar interacting in a 360-degree environment. Pretty cool. Augmented reality, on the other hand, is typically defined as an enhanced version of the real world. Think of it as a merging of the real and digital worlds by superimposing virtual information onto everyday objects or environments.

The mighty fast-food giant McDonald’s has been in financial free fall for more than six straight quarters in the U.S. Enter new CEO Steve Easterbrook, who has big plans to turn the brand back toward relevancy and profitability. However, in this video Jason Scott explores the odd beginning to the new and aggressive reset of the McDonald’s brand. Let’s just say it’s not quite what some of us had expected. “Robble robble.”

Visual Communication and the Mighty Mighty Infographic