Debra Berman

GREAT Content Disrupted episode with Skyword EVP, Dan Baptiste and NPR CMO, Michael Smith where they discuss that a brand’s voice isn’t just a stylistic choice—it’s a critical market differentiator. AND, overreliance on GenAI risks diluting this voice, resulting in content that, while plentiful, lacks the emotional impact and authenticity essential for audience engagement and trust. Take a listen and let me know if you agree.

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Midwest Digital Marketing Conference is in about two weeks, get your tickets! If you're coming, make sure to register for my session, Transformative Search: Emerging Search Trends and AI Innovations. #googleai #google #paidsearch #digitalmarketing #ai #artificialintelligence #wavemaker

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"The credibility and legitimacy from being featured in a TV program or respected publication will always be more meaningful than any marketing campaign," says Annie Scranton, founder + CEO of Pace Public Relations and author of the book "The Guide to Earned Media". Annie recently joined Marc Kramer on The Best Business Minds podcast to talk about the book and why #EarnedMedia should be a key part of any brand's #CommsStrategy Check it out!

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In this episode, Ed Farley of Crosby Marketing Communications is here to share the importance of a purpose-led brand strategy in today’s environment.  https://lnkd.in/gaqEVM3e

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Fantastic article from Anita Puri and Kevin Ellenwood on the extraordinary opportunities and critical accountability required for generative AI. Read more for excellent recommendations, especially for leaders across the public sector, as we continue to evolve marketing communications efforts in the era of AI. #generativeAI #AI #marketing #communications #publicservice #government #leadership

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Make it make sense. What is driving voters to support progressive-leaning ballot measures (think protecting abortion rights and raising the minimum wage) while voting for conservative candidates? My colleague Meisha Thigpen brings a behavioral lens to it. And the answer is kind of simple. As Meisha says, "few of us really understand how to “fix” the economy. Or Gaza. Or racism. I’d bet that even fewer people truly understand what their preferred political candidates will do about these issues". Whereas local issues are easier to understand and, importantly, easier to connect how the consequences will impact you and your life.

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To AI or not to AI, that is the question echoing across the marketing realm. 🤔 Dive into the debate with CMI's latest article dissecting the strategies of brands like Dove and Brandtech Group. Should your brand shout its AI and marketing plan to the world? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gNNRfbKj #AIinMarketing #BrandStrategy

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A really interesting case history on #brandstrategy. ““[Liquid Death] sees itself as a media company first and a product second,” observed Young. “The company’s CEO has said in multiple interviews that you can’t ‘own’ an ingredient like canned water, but it could own a unique brand, wrapped in a compelling package, with a bold point-of-view that speaks to a niche audience.” If this can not only be theorized but also successfully executed for a product most people would see as a commodity, how much more true this statement should be for categories with higher intangible value! #brandmanagement #branding #marketingstrategy https://lnkd.in/eaB8mMmw

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near 8 decades of marketing and marketing research experience Steve and I have taught one key lesson ... marketing is all about knowing matters to people not consumers enjoy the series .. more to come

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A Love Letter, to Ad Agencies. Yesterday, I visited an amazing agency in Minneapolis, Rise and Shine and Partners. They have great space, great people, great energy, great work. Bravo, Kevin DiLorenzo and team. And it reminded me, why I love advertising, and commercial creativity, to begin with. Agencies, are fun. If you've ever walked into one, or worked in one, you know what I mean. Music plays. People wander, chat, sit on couches, brainstorm, eat and laugh. The artifacts are curious and amazing, and are culturally significant and gettable to only those who work there. That's the point, after all. The conference rooms have silly names. Antler hooks abound to stash a jacket, or a solo cup. Creativity, is in the air. And it's infectious. People feed off each other's ideas and energy, and the aura of conscious creation is palpable. There is a casualness to agencies, that is 100% unique. Many industries have tried to replicate it - but cool furniture and ping pong tables, are mere trappings. Ad agencies, are cool from the inside out, and the spaces they occupy, are cool containers for their creativity. People there, are curious. They are full of ideas. They are silly, for silly's sake. And I for one, am all about a little more silly these days. Of course, they are serious-minded places, and of course, they care deeply about their clients. But still...agencies, are a vibe. You can't help but be a bit cooler, a bit more creative, a bit more curious, when you spend time within an ad agencies' 4 walls. Yes, amidst all the criticisms of agencies, or how agencies are dying off, or how agencies just aren't as relevant anymore...I'm going to pause all that, and simply say this. They are damn cool places to work, if you can. #culture #advertising #agencylife #adagencies

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This is a great perspective on the "path to purchase." In this latest report, Mars United Commerce presents a new approach to the classic “path to purchase” that starts with shopper mindsets rather than the more traditional focus on behaviors or tactics in this latest report. Download your copy here: https://lnkd.in/gCkj6Ysz #pathtopurchase #ecommerce #commercemarketing #strategy

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Successful CEOs surround themselves with experts to advise. Analytics, impressions, CTRs - what matters? All these new numbers now in marketing don’t make sense. It’s like learning to read a balance sheet. 😩 With our help, CEOs and CMOs can now look at a dashboard, have the correct metrics, and know what #marketing success is. Let’s do this.

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So proud to share the results that my colleagues and I in Research and Strategy have been working on to demonstrate the relationship between building emotional connection and friendship with the impact on business performance. Our research shows that friendship elements of Trust, Relevance, and Affection have a powerful impact on improving KPIs. Take a look at how Making Fierce Friends can drive positive results!

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Patrick Horbas and Eric Hansen provide some context for BBDO MW's new work for Hormel Foods' innovation, Planters Duos. I like the ads, and I love the product. See The Clios Muse article below. #snacking #foodmarketing #innovation #nuts #creative #advertising

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I guarantee I'be had some late night conversations with a pizza,but they really didn't lead to much insight - except that I need to eat less and exercise more. Now market research platform Vurvey have added 4 Chicago icons to their roster of consumer, assistant and brand AI-agents. It works as a fun demonstration of how their AI-agents can be trained on anything, they've launched Ai-agents for Chicago Deep Dish Pizza, Hot Dogs, the Bean or even Comiskey Park. I hope to get started with "Deep Dish" pizza soon. #marketreseeach #aiagents #chicago #generativeai #genAI

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Thank you, Kristina Monllos of Digiday for including AAR Partners' comments in your latest article, "Why holding companies are taking a ‘platform’ approach to pitch more cohesively." ..."Holding companies are looking to appeal to marketers with simplification by providing “a comprehensive solution to the marketer by offering a holding company solution,” explained Lisa Colantuono, president of search consultancy AAR Partners, who added that while this trend has been ongoing, “it’s [now] one level deeper; everybody is certainly pushing for efficiency.” For the full read, click below. 👇 #agency #brand #marketer #newbusiness

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Today is designated Global Focus Group Day, and to celebrate, today’s episode of IN CLEAR FOCUS features an interview with Jeanne Corrigan, a consumer behavior strategist and expert in qualitative research. Jeanne shares her insights with me on the enduring value of focus groups, the impact of digital technology, and the role groups can play in understanding consumer motivations and informing brand strategy. We also consider how AI can identify patterns in data while human researchers excel in interpreting the "why" behind consumer decisions. #InClearFocus #GlobalFocusGroupDay #FaceToFaceMRX

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