1) Shopping centers are clearly, and not surprisingly, feeling pains in today’s economy. Stories like this Wall Street Journal piece and this USA Today piece describe the trouble developers are facing in trying to lease space, and the lengths to which some malls are … Read on >
1) Recent Social Technologies/Spike TV research shows that "guys are still deciphering what it means to be a man in the post-feminist world," and, as Social Technologies Senior Analyst Chris Carbone further explains: "Life is complex, and even contradictory and—just like women—guys … Read on >
1) Though I report on both the ups and downs of the brand, I am, at the core, a Lululemon lover. That’s why it was interesting to read that the yoga apparel retailer’s new CEO is a woman with a Starbucks background. Margaret Brennan’s CNBC interview with … Read on >
1) As reported by Karl Greenberg in MediaPost, Kimberly-Clark has announced that its Kleenex brand will continue it’s "Let It Out" campaign with its Beijing Olympics sponsorship. The launch piece for that partnership is a documentary-style video, described this way in the article: "The film extends … Read on >
1) A commonly pondered question in the consumer goods world is this: how does a brand continue to serve its most passionate core customers and still expand into new markets? QuikSilver has launched a new 20-something women’s clothing line that is all about lifestyle and not directly linked to the … Read on >
I just came across a blog post that brings up a fairly common ad campaign phenomenon: two gender stereotypes for the price of one. Though the "chocolate man" television ad being discussed was clearly an attempt at humor, it actually comes off as either "off" or just plain … Read on >
With all the year end lists and predictions, I thought this spoof question from the New York Times Q&A with Stuart Elliott was worth sharing (If I could find a URL that links directly to this q&a online, I would). As we head into 2008, let’s be careful not … Read on >
"We don’t target women first." That was one of Lauren Zalaznick’s (President of Bravo Media at NBC Universal) responses in an interview for TV Week magazine… and it caught my eye.
Here’s the specific question posed, with more of her answer (which I only used part of, and which … Read on >
1) Morning television is all about women, as we’ve all long known, but there does come a point of no return in the fluffy factor. In “Morning TV Veers from News to Frills,” (December 4th, reg. required) New York Times writer Alessandra Stanley wonders how/if viewers will … Read on >
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow
by Chip Conley
I'm a big psychology buff, so this application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the business realm fascinated (and resonated) with me. As Conley mentions, psychology in business has long been about "fixing it," but that won't necessarily "offer the opportunity for transformation to a more optimal state of being or productivity." Everyone can learn from this discussion.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the Real Gender Gap
by Susan Pinker
A fascinating examination of how sex differences play out over the life span. One interesting quote: "For most women it's less a question of who's able to win. It's whether competing feels good and is worth the cost."
Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes
by Katya Andresen
Andresen writes that causes can learn from traditional marketers, but after reading this, I'd argue that traditional marketers can learn from the causes profiled. An interview with Andresen is included in my eBook, 9 Minds On Marketing.
You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation
by Deborah Tannen
Men have a more asymmetrical, positioning approach to communication, while women have a more symmetrical, connecting approach. This is a classic worth revisiting frequently.
BOOM: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer -- The Baby-Boomer Woman
by Mary Brown and Carol Orsborn
It's a hot topic - and the case studies and examples presented in BOOM can offer up insights to get you started.
