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Good advertising is based on insights … a singular idea or truth that gets to the heart of a product or brand. The trouble with insight, though, is that it comes in two forms. There is insight that can help you to create a great communications message – and there is insight that can help … Read more
In case you hadn’t heard – Ask.com has a new advertising campaign through their new partnership with Crispin, Porter & Bogusky (CP+B) focused on making a hero out of the algorithm. The idea behind the marketing strategy is described on their blog: If you get great search results, you don’t care why or how you … Read more
Blackberry’s recent "Share Your Stories" campaign was inspiring for me, though probably not in the way they intended. I actually love my Blackberry, but their entire "Share your Story" campaign just struck me as lacking in any of the lessons many other marketers have learned about Web 2.0 marketing and what works in social media. … Read more
Apparently, the latest "innovation" in advertising is offering up ad space on the bottom of those security bins used in every airport. Despite fears that it might confuse people during an already confusing moment of separating liquids and laptops into quart-sized bags, it seems that airport authorities are ready to go ahead with the plan … Read more
Let’s start with a warning … this is the "clip show" post where I recycle a lot of old material so if that causes you extreme pain, please close this window now and come back tomorrow. For all the rest of you, it’s the holidays and a quick glance around the marketing blogosphere will show … Read more
I came across an interesting viral campaign for the upcoming movie "Snakes on a Plane" where users can go online and enter names to have a personalized viral message sent to someone spoken by Samuel L. Jackson. I have seen this viral talking idea before, such as with the "7 days left" campaign for The … Read more
Searching for a movie this weekend, I cursed my way through yet another painful online experience dealing with AMC Theaters. The main problem, in their case, is that I know their brand and I have been to their theaters. And because I do, I have higher expectations from AMC. For one, I assume the theater’s … Read more
In light of Chevy Tahoe’s recent experience with consumer backlash towards their promotion run on The Apprentice, viral marketing is a hot topic of discussion in marketing circles these days. Is it too risky to do well? Should companies avoid it? Is Chevy doing the right thing by not stepping in and removing negative consumer … Read more
Rebate Phishing: The practice of luring customers online to make a purchase with the promise of receiving a nonexistent rebate check in return. Recently unleashed from the bonds of my 2-year mobile phone contract, I went online this weekend to search for a new mobile phone. Within seconds, I ended up at Wirefly.com – one … Read more
In times square this weekend, I spotted a long billboard with mathematical equations and schematic drawings along with the cryptic URL – www.beyondthedrawingboard.com. Unfortunately, a visit to the website delivers neither a new online community for tech geeks, nor an innovative new virtual drawing board for users to collaborate on. Instead, the site is nothing … Read more
Non-Obvious Thinking is my latest book about the 4 secrets of becoming a non-obvious thinker - released 10/01/2024.
Rohit Bhargava is a trend curator, founder of the Non-Obvious Company and the 3-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author of ten books.
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In addition to Non-Obvious Thinking, Rohit is the author of 10 books on trends, the future of business, building a more human brand with storytelling and how to create a more diverse and inclusive world.
