Futures Coaching

Will Cities be Forever?

Half the world's population lives in cities and urbanisation continues apace. Is this a good thing? And what trends can we expect to see over the next 10 years?

This 5 minute thought piece asks the question: Are Cities forever and what happens when a City dies? On the flip side, what will be the characteristics of successful urban areas going forward?

Kick start your thinking here 

 

 

Sponsorship of outdoor events

Sponsors of London's Olympics have spent £700million to be present at the world's greatest show. But just why do brands sponsor outdoor events?

My latest Slideshow presentation reveals some of the advantages of showing up. For example, brands who place their banners in front of a euphoric crowd can expect a subliminal connection. Next time the consumer sees the brand they will be transported back to that orgasmic emotional state. Talk about getting rooted in positive emotional memory structures!

Take 5 minutes to find out more.

Social Media Success Factors

I spent the earlier part of this week running focus groups on Social Media. From a consumer viewpoint, Social Media is about staying relevant in the here and now. The big fear is of 'missing out'.

But consumers are not dupes and they are able to filter and able to spot dodgy brand activity a mile off. It's about "what's in it for them".

How do Brands get it right in Social Media? My latest 'Growth Story' blog covers 10 success insights. Read it and pass it on if you like it click.

PS I'm well on my way to 500 hits for last weeks Asian Growth Stategies' post - so thanks for reading and sharing!

 

Asian Growth Strategies: How are corporates going East?

What do VW, Yum Brands, Deutsche Bank, University College London and McCann Worldwide have in common? All have aggressive growth strategies for Asia.

Find out what Volkswagen are going to do with €14billion and why we'll see 600 new KFCs and Pizza Huts in China by year end. And discover a major Western brand who has withdrawn from China.

It's all in this 5 minute presentation here.

 

Extreme Buying: one of the Growth Stories of our age

Consumers describe the feeling in many different ways: "a rush of blood to the head"; "a moment of madness"; "letting off steam". Whatever the phrase, the impulse is always the same - to forget about austerity and do something which feels sooooo good. 

In boom times, purchasing became a habit; today it's more a surprise! "I just popped in for stockings and came out with a new outfit and matching handbag". 

What Extreme Buying describes is a trend where a liberated social context meets human weakness. And brands can learn how to profit from these moment of madness.

The trend and its drivers are described here.

 

 

Fame Asia: 10 Stars and their marketing appeal

London auction house chairman Simon de Pury wrote: "In the art world, like in the business world, decades of 'westernisation' are rapidly being replaced by an 'easternisation'". 

But what happens when Asian art meets the business world? My latest analysis of Asian culture has revealed just how marketing savvy are today's hot generation of musicians, designers, sports stars and actors.

So if you want to know what Li-Ning, Bi Rain, Sachin Tendulkar and Shah Rukh Khan have in common, think brand before anything else! See how slick they are here. It will take just 5 minutes to take in.