Mark Zagorski’s Post

You got to read this.

Have you experienced a parade of obnoxiously fast, hyper shaky ads from brands while watching Olympics Paris 2024 on JioCinema? And it's always a cheap trick of finding catch phrases like 'hadh kar de', 'rukna nahi hai' and bombarding audience with a copy pasting style of rapid cuts, extreme close ups, pans without connection. To bake it all in a background narration that tries to imitate Piyush Mishra. High beats, low storytelling foundation! The athletes are shown as if they're products, just born to make us proud. Boost our self-esteem. And then I watched this ad featuring Simone Biles. Rather than giving away to cheap camera tricks, it finds its strong hold on empathy and humanizing an athlete's mindset. And binds that with innovative camera work that uplifts the story and takes us deeper! Something I guess you can't decide on the set, and demands research, planning and most of all- writing. Engagement will come when we understand compassion as it goes way beyond just pumped-up exhaustion. This is visual storytelling at its best! What are your observations on the sports ads?

⏸ Pause is power indeed. I love this promo, the message, the wordplay, the shots, the style, the story. I can't watch this without being 'moved'. The narrative is striking, relatable human and vulnerable. In branded content, the opposite approach can end up whitewashing a core message, where you then have an infomercial, instead of something with more longevity and connection. 👏 Bravo to the creatives involved, well done on doing Simone Biles' story justice and compellingly raising awareness about mental health. 💡Creatively raising awareness, and telling stories that have the power to change lives. As we (sadly) bid adieu to the Olympics, if you haven't already, go and watch Simone Biles' documentary, Rising, on Netflix.

We are excited to spotlight Hetali Mehta, MPH, CAPM, the Chief Marketing Officer of Wana Create 🎨✨ Hetali's creative journey began in her childhood, finding joy in watercolors as she painted pictures of nature, with her backyard as her first muse. This early love for art planted the seeds of creativity that have flourished throughout her life. As Hetali navigated the challenges of adulthood, she discovered various wellness hobbies to keep her creative spirit alive. From cold plunges and yoga to pilates, bike riding, rock climbing, hiking, and strength training, Hetali finds fulfillment in trying new activities every week. These pursuits keep her fit and offer fresh avenues for creative expression. At Wana Create, Hetali finds immense fulfillment in her role, seamlessly integrating her innovative ideas into the business alongside her co-founder, Dhara. Dhara fosters an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their ideas to the table and learn through experimentation. By unleashing her creativity both inside and outside work, Hetali embodies what it means to inspire creativity in all areas of life. Beyond creativity, Hetali finds great fulfillment in making meaningful connections. “I love bringing people together—whether for business collaborations or connecting brands that would work well together,” she shares. Hosting dinners for creatives and interacting with users are some of her favorite aspects of being part of Wana. Seeing people who might never have met come together and form new, meaningful connections makes all the work worthwhile. Here's to Hetali for not only championing creativity in her personal life but also for inspiring it in others through her impactful work at Wana Create. 🌱💪 #CreativeLeadership #WellnessJourney #Inspiration #MarketingMagic #WanaCreate #TeamSpotlight #creativity

Athlete marketing is an art, not just a checklist. It’s about peeling back the layers beyond stats and scores. It’s about exploring their journeys, understanding their passions, and celebrating their unique backgrounds. When we connect these dots, we illuminate their true essence. Athletes are more than just competitors on the field. They’re role models with rich narratives, diverse talents, and stories waiting to be shared. Are you ready to join us in transforming the landscape of athlete marketing? Let’s break new ground together. #athletemarketing #athletes #branding

Have you seen MS Dhoni singing the iconic 'Bole jo koyal' song in a recent advertisement? It's a brilliant example of Trendjacking in marketing! Trendjacking, or Trend-driven marketing, is when brands seize current social media trends and weave them into their advertisements to captivate audiences. Just as EMotorad recently did, this strategy can significantly boost brand awareness. The effectiveness of such campaigns hinges on a brand's ability to understand its target audience deeply, identify relevant social media trends, and execute with impeccable timing. With the IPL season in full swing, what better time for EMotorad to resonate with millions of MS Dhoni fans and elevate their brand visibility with a trendy and innovative ad? Do you recall any brands that have successfully capitalized on social media trends to amplify their brand awareness? Share your favourites in the comments! #Trendjacking #MarketingStrategy #BrandAwareness #SocialMediaTrends #ipl #msdhoni #cricket

In today's competitive markets, crafting a compelling brand identity and messaging strategy to reach your target audience is critical to success. See how BrandRight℠ helps you create an identity package that sets you apart from the competition. #ascensionstrategy #insighttoimpact #branding #brandpositioning https://soamp.li/lobK

In today's competitive markets, crafting a compelling brand identity and messaging strategy to reach your target audience is critical to success. See how BrandRight℠ helps you create an identity package that sets you apart from the competition. #ascensionstrategy #insighttoimpact #branding #brandpositioning https://soamp.li/m0SI

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Storytelling is a potent instrument in marketing. It bridges the gap between brands and potential customers through emotions, evoking a feeling of unity. Stories foster a connection to the brand and communicate in a way that enhances brand loyalty. Let’s examine a case study of Starbucks UK’s advertisement titled “Every Table Has a Story.” Starbucks’ marketing strategy is centered on crafting immersive experiences that combine premium coffee offerings with an inviting ambiance, encouraging customers to delve into a world of flavors and join a global community of coffee aficionados. This particular advertisement aligns with Starbucks’ mission statement: “To inspire and nurture the human spirit — one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.” The advertisement employs visual storytelling to weave a rich tapestry of moments shared over coffee — conversations, laughter, tears, and decisions — all taking place at a Starbucks table. Creativity is evident in the way the narrative unfolds, transforming an ordinary table into a tapestry of human experiences. The ad accentuates the personal connection customers have with Starbucks, illustrating how the brand has supported its patrons through their highs and lows, much like the table featured in the ad. The table metaphorically represents the brand itself. The story invites people to relate their personal journeys with Starbucks, casting the brand in a positive light as the ad concludes on an uplifting note.By tapping into the creative realms, Starbucks transcends traditional marketing. They don’t just sell coffee; they sell moments, memories, and an invitation to be part of something larger than oneself. It’s this creative storytelling that leaves an indelible mark on the audience, turning a simple visit to a coffee shop into a chapter in their own story. #MarketingStrategy #Storytelling #BrandConnection