Becky Smith (CMktr)’s Post

“…even businesses in the most routine sectors will need to bring imagination and originality to bear if they are to outcompete rivals” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves, Helen Edwards and Marketing Week. And it times perfectly with the launch of The Lodgers 🪑 The Lodgers are the creative tenants that sit inside any and every business, bringing the “defiance and honesty” that brands need. As this article observes, look at the brilliant creativity that’s come from two brands who have an in-house creative offering: Specsavers and Oatly. Whilst smaller business might not quite have their budgets; that’s where a Lodging creative director steps in. Consistent creative direction, on a flexible, subscription basis. www.thelodgers.co.uk

CEO John Quarrey’s bold approach to investing in creative talent means we prioritise creativity, passion, and innovation in everything we do. From groundbreaking campaigns to jaw-dropping brand experiences, it's this investment in creative minds that sets us apart. Check out this article on why John is betting big on creativity and how it’s transforming the way we work. 🧠✨ Read more here 👇

A revolution is underway within in-house agencies. In-house agencies are increasingly taking on greater creative and strategic responsibilities, positioning themselves as pioneers that shape brand storytelling and raise the bar for innovation. The 2024 In-House Barometer reveals a significant shift in focus and aspirations across different regions. In the UK, there is a growing trend of internalizing high-level creative roles to spearhead brand strategies and ensure alignment with global trends. Discover the driving forces behind this change in our article, "From Production Powerhouses to Creative Innovators" - read it here: https://loom.ly/2EtHWOM

It’s become a common belief that businesses can tackle all their marketing and creative needs internally, but let’s take a moment to consider what this really means. While there’s definitely something to be said for keeping things close to home, the idea that one team can effectively juggle every single aspect of branding, design, and strategy is a bit like trying to bake a five-layer cake with just a microwave! Sure, having an in-house team can provide quick turnaround times and foster a deep understanding of the brand. But let’s not forget the value of diverse perspectives and specialized expertise that an external agency can bring to the table. Sometimes, you need that outside eye—someone who can come in and sprinkle a bit of fresh creativity into the mix! 🌟 When you rely solely on your internal team, you might miss out on innovative ideas that come from collaboration with experts who live and breathe marketing. Think of it as bringing in a master chef to guide you through the intricate recipe of branding. After all, creativity thrives on collaboration and the cross-pollination of ideas! At Bomber Brands, we love working alongside in-house teams to complement their efforts, infusing our unique approach and experience into their vision. Whether it's crafting compelling campaigns, developing captivating content, or strategizing for the next big launch, we believe in the magic that happens when different minds come together. So while in-house teams might be the trend, let’s not forget that sometimes, the best results come from a blend of internal passion and external expertise. After all, it’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about doing it with flair! 🎉💼 #InHouseVsAgency#CreativeCollaboration #BomberBrands

Anything is possible with imagination and will. The true definition of creativity is the application of creative thinking to real world problems with demonstrable results. And that problem can be anything.

Or I would argue the Chief Mission Officer….but what’s one of those… Someone who covers brand - purpose - strategy 1. Making sure you define, communicate and live up to your brand 2. Making sure you are building a good business with purpose and mission at the core. 3. Making sure that the strategy, your unique value is crystal clear. #chiefmissionofficer #brand #mission #strategy

I run a lot of the naming projects at bluedog and I can confirm that naming a brand is hard. Harder than a lot of people think! It's like naming a child... but way more complicated! Because you've got to consider trademark law! And all the people you want to think it's cool! And instead of just your partner, you've got a whole group of stakeholders! Anyway, the first step to making it easier is knowing why it's hard in the first place. So if naming is part of your role, check this out. And give us a follow too, because we're going to do more content on this subject and if you find this useful you won't want to miss the rest.

Why do we choose one thing over another? There’s many reasons, but one of the most potent is branding. This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment from ‘Unfrosted’ on our weekend family movie night stayed with me well after the credits rolled. It’s a great reminder of the role of Brand in shaping our preferences and influencing our choices. ** And for those considering whether to watch ‘Unfrosted’, it offers 93 minutes of uncomplicated, light-hearted entertainment. With a simple and silly storyline, it's a low-risk, low-investment choice with some playful references to branding and cameos from Roger Sterling and Don Draper ;)

Them: "Oh, man. Things are so slow right now, we don't have any money." Me: "Maybe we should do my affordable brand narrative workshop to get a brand and content strategy together to help thread the needle and strengthen your brand." Them: "Oh, we have someone already. They worked at [insert three brands], they're doing a good job." Me: "Oh, you told me things were slow and don't have money, so I thought I'd offer. Let me know when you want some fresh ideas!" ------ If you're complaining about slow business and being short on cash, you don't get to brag about how good your brand strategy is.

Here's what I've learned re-branding, and what we've done so far... If you didn't know, I decided rebranding my company Union Productions would be best done in public, step by step. Here's what we've done so far... ⚡️ Step 1; Self-reflection: As the founder, what do I truly want out of a company, enjoy doing, and am also good at? 💡 I enjoy business and crafting ideas businesses. It has a great energy. Companies that are launching or rebranding and are focused on having great aesthetics are my kind of people. I like knowing we are helping them improve their marketing and look good. ⚡️ Step 2; Leadership reflection: Stephen Fiore answered those questions. We then compared notes. Where were we the same, where were we different? 💡 Steve loves telling a story in 30 seconds and in doing so giving brands a voice for the message. ⚡️ Step 3; Team reflection: We used the lens of past projects. Our team each shared their 5 favorite projects and why they liked them. We looked for themes. 💡 Commercials, Testimonials, and Brand Anthem Videos all rose to the top. Especially with the brands we love that choose to push the envelope - also read, Stand out! ⚡️ Step 4; Capabilities reflection: What tasks does each person do well? What tasks are necessary but no one does well? What tasks are the wrong fit for us to even offer as a capability? 💡 Honest realization that we're not that great with music! Music is critical to video and we'll be doubling down on outside resources to improve this area. - - - Now, I'm doing two things with all the information from these sessions. (1) We're updating our sales & operations PROCESS to align (2) We're starting conversations with brand copywriters to help us take all the mess and bring it into a clear message to align our team and communicate to our clients. - - - Anything to add to our process so far? I'm Dustin Schultz, I share best practices for video content and right now I'm sharing the process of rebranding our studio. 🔔 Follow along with me to see where things go!