Wael D.’s Post

Music is the most powerful tool in marketing. Here’s why. From Ram's connection to Country, or Dodge's with Hip-Hop, we've used music to carve out a unique space for each of our automotive brands. Music creates the most authentic bridge between brand and consumer. I discussed this on Math & Magic with Bob Pittman (5 years ago already!!). We explored 4 elements that make music invaluable in marketing: Sound: The right sound can set the tone and atmosphere for your brand, instantly capturing attention. Think J.Lo for FIAT. Lyrics: Thoughtful lyrics can resonate on an emotional level, making any advert or brand message more memorable. Think Renegade and the X Ambassadors! Artist Following: Collaborating with popular artists boosts brand visibility and generate excitement around our campaigns. Especially when the artist genuinely loves the car... Dodge and Billie Eilish. Audience Alignment: Understanding your audience’s preferences allows you to make choices that speaks directly to them. I invite you to dive into our conversation! What are your thoughts on the role of music in advertising? #FIAT #Stellantis #Branding #MusicinMarketing #BrandStorytelling

Last night, I had the opportunity to speak at an "In Conversation With" session with Charlotte Caleb from ellevate, exploring how brands and artists can collaborate more effectively. For many early-stage artists, brand partnerships can be the key to unlocking creative opportunities - but where do you start, and how do you build those relationships? My main reflections: 1. Cultural awareness is a non-negotiable. With audiences more globally connected and possessing a more sophisticated understanding of brand and marketing tactics than ever before, brands can’t afford to fake it. Artists hold deep insights into their fanbases and can play a role in helping brands understand them and connect with them more meaningfully. 2. Shifting dynamics in brand investment. Gone are the days where multiple brands committed to long-term live music series beyond festival sponsorships and one-off events. These were and still are essential for nurturing emerging talent. With grassroots venues on their knees, brands have an opportunity (and a responsibility) to support these spaces and music communities. 3. The evolving relationship between artists and brands. 10 years ago, many artists were still wary of working with brands. Today, it’s a vital revenue stream that can empower creativity. Brands are looking for artists who bring authenticity, community and passion. For artists looking to align with brands: focus on the brands you genuinely love and let that passion shine through naturally. Take inspiration from the likes of Stormzy, who has built a powerful collaboration with Adidas, simply by being an authentic fan. Thanks Charlotte Caleb for the thought-provoking chat. I’m manifesting that multi-disciplinary music, art and dance collaboration with Solange…

Houston rapper Tobe Nwigwe dropped a new track recently, "I'm Not God" (and it is really good! It features Fantasia and Andra Day, and their voices sound so good, but back to business...). The visuals are exactly what you’d expect if you follow Tobe’s branding—he’s known for his signature mint green color palette, introspective lyrics, and dynamic visuals. When asked about the meaning behind the mint green branding, he simply said, “It wasn’t really deep. I love the color, I feel like it looks beautiful on Black skin.” This highlights an important lesson: sometimes the best elements of your brand don’t require overthinking. Tobe’s core values are so clear—there’s no questioning what he stands for: God, his wife and collaborator/muse, Fat, his kids, and his Nigerian roots. It’s been incredible to watch his brand evolve. By staying true to his values (in an industry that can often seem to contradict his core beliefs), he’s attracted critical acclaim, a dedicated fanbase, and major brand partnerships (Moncler and Reebok being the most recent). Tobe is a powerful example of what clear, authentic branding can do. "I'm Not God" -- https://lnkd.in/eEGbATSF If you want to hear more of my POV on the business of music, the creator economy, culture, and more, subscribe to Glen & Haze's weekly newsletter, The Breakthrough: https://lnkd.in/eJmWHxxE. #musicbusiness #branddevelopment #branding101 #tobenwigwe

Let's dive in and see how brand positioning makes everything sing! The secret sauce that could turn you into the next big thing — helps you cut through the noise and hit your audience right in the feels — is brand positioning. Imagine Taylor Swift's carefully crafted persona. Love or hate her, she's got it down to a science, no doubt about it. (We are #TeamTaylor, FYI.) Or how about Metallica? They knew their magic formula: Play fast, play loud, and give people an outlet for their pent-up energy. When they released their eponymous black album in 1991, they faced backlash from die-hard thrash fans. Instead of retreating, they pushed on — and guess what? It worked. This is a great lesson for any brand — build the position and brand, look to grow and evolve, and stay true to yourself. Brand positioning isn't just corporate mumbo-jumbo. It ensures that all communications, from social media to sales pitches, sing the same theme. In a saturated market, a clear brand position helps your business stand out from the crowd and build a dedicated fanbase. Ready to unleash your brand's full potential? Contact us today, and let's make it happen. https://buff.ly/3AsnMQb #Farinella #CreativeAgency #BigThinker #Asskicker #BrandPositioning #LetYourBrandSing

Kendrick Lamar's recent LA show at the Kia Forum was a testament to his ability to create and sustain cultural buzz. The energy was electric, fueled by anticipation and a masterful understanding of narrative. Analysis & Social Buzz: Both Billboard & Rolling Stones highlighted Kendrick's set as a cultural reset, not just a performance. The energy was palpable, fueled by anticipation and a masterful understanding of narrative. TikTok, Instagram and Snap: Fan-made videos of the concert went viral, focusing on the crowd's ecstatic reaction to Kendrick's hits, off and on pettiness, and the overall sense of excitement. The Marketing Brilliance of Kendrick's Reign: Building Anticipation: The lingering tension between Kendrick and Drake, coupled with the narrative of their alleged "beef," kept fans on edge and eager for Kendrick's performance. Creating Conversation: The online buzz surrounding Kendrick and Drake dominated social media discussions and music forums. This constant chatter amplified the anticipation for the show and cemented Kendrick's place at the forefront of cultural conversations. We understand that marketing with cultural fluency isn't just about the here and now. It's about crafting narratives that evolve, keeping your audience engaged around a relevant narrative. #KendrickLamar #CulturalMarketing #MusicMarketing #The360Agency

Best New Sonic Brands of 2024 Corona International Clients: AB InBev, Wieden + Kennedy Category: Alcohol  Project: Full Sonic Identity System Created By: Made Music Studio Awards: Gold - Transform Branding Awards 2024 Corona wanted us to create a musical expression that would transport you to the heart of the brand, just as fast as their iconic visual branding. An IPSOS study confirmed that their new sound delivers brand uplift across regions and cultures all over the world – a 65% boost in key attributes, and a 37% increase in appeal. We often invite people to close their eyes when we play this case study to see how quickly they can guess the brand – the fastest guess has been under 3 seconds!   #SonicBranding #BestYearEver #Leadership #AudioBranding #Advertising #Marketing #New

Is there no such thing as bad publicity? Recently, we've seen Johannson & Johanson being mentioned all over social media, linked to a prominent figure in the music industry ...Diddy and Criminals Records. While this has certainly increased the company’s visibility, it has also created some confusion and led to a misperception in the minds of customers. There’s a common saying in marketing, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity,” but is that always true? If the publicity isn’t aligned with the company’s values, it could harm customer trust and the overall brand image. In situations like this, it’s crucial for companies to steer the conversation back to their core values and clarify any misconceptions to protect their long-term success. #Marketing #BrandManagement #PublicRelations #Perception

What's in a name? Well, I suppose quite a bit from a marketing/ brand perspective. As an avid fan of Dragon's Den, company names are often a visual and verbal representation of what the business stands for - linked to the core USP of a certain product/ service. While some brands prefer to go the figurative route, there are some who take a more obvious stance and simply tell it like it is. Take, for example, the American rapper whose stage name says is all: Fabolous. If you're a fan, then you'd agree his music is, well, fabulous 🤣. If you're in-the-know, what is the general consensus on the essence of choosing brand names these days? Overstated vs. understated - which works better as far as brand representation goes? #brandperception #brandbuilding #brandnames #creativeundertakings #dragonsden

🎉 It's officially the end of an era! 🎉 After 21 months, 152 shows, and over $2 billion in gross revenue—yes, you read that right, $2 BILLION—Taylor Swift’s monumental Eras Tour has wrapped up, leaving behind an indelible mark on the music industry and the world at large. But this isn’t just about record-breaking numbers; the Eras Tour has become a cultural and economic phenomenon that redefines the power of live entertainment. From personal narratives to community engagement, there are monumental lessons to be learned for any professional passionate about building a brand, driving engagement, or leading a team. ✨ Here are my top 6 takeaways from Taylor Swift's journey through the Eras Tour that can inspire leaders everywhere: 1️⃣ Turn Adversity into Opportunity - Swift showed us how to bounce back from challenges, turning past struggles into powerful narratives. 2️⃣ Craft a Narrative That Resonates - Her storytelling transformed the concert experience, showing how authentic narratives can engage and inspire. 3️⃣ Empower and Engage Your Community - Swift turned her audience (the Swifties) into active participants, a strategy any brand leader can implement. 4️⃣ Balance Tradition with Innovation - Swift fused her roots with new creative expressions, proving that you can innovate while respecting your brand's heritage. 5️⃣ Leverage Data for Strategic Wins - Her ability to use analytics to make informed decisions showcases how data can enhance brand strategies. 6️⃣ Celebrate Success and Build Momentum - The Eras Tour isn’t just a conclusion; it’s a springboard for what’s next. Swift’s ability to create buzz around her achievements keeps her audience engaged for the future. Like Taylor, you can too can define your eras. So I ask you, how will you leverage these lessons in your career or business? Share your thoughts and check out my latest in Forbes. 💬👇 https://lnkd.in/eyxaU2xZ #TaylorSwift #ErasTour #Leadership #BrandStrategy #CommunityEngagement #Marketing #GrowthMindset #Inspiration

Have you ever heard the expression, "Your business grows to the extent that you do?" This quote is very similar to today's post. Think about it this way... What happens when your influence grows wider than your character? I'm sure a few celebrities come to mind and what typically happens? (Their influence implodes). Therefore, if your influence will never grow wider then your character runs deep why do so many try to take shortcuts? Fame without the proper foundation and intention eventually crumbles. Instead, choose to focus on the depth of the service or impact vs. the width of reach. Now, will you share your service online for those searching for your help? #PersonalBrand #BuildingAPersonalBrand #Branding #ContentStrategy #SocialMediaMarketing #MortgageContent #LoanOfficerContent #MissionToServe #DepthOverWidth #ImpactMarketing