We’ve always said cult brands are built on emotional connection, not just conversions. Now, the data backs it up. A major new report, "Profit Ability 2: The New Business Case for Advertising," was recently released, analyzing £1.8 billion in advertising spend across 141 brands and 14...
Over the past two decades, humor in advertising has quietly disappeared. And that’s a big problem—because humor works. According to WARC’s 2024 report, “What’s Working in Humorous Advertising,” the world’s most effective ad campaigns have one thing in common: they’re funnier. Here’s why that matters to you: 91% of...
There’s creativity—and then there’s Cult Creative. The kind of creative that doesn’t just market a product but moves people. The kind that becomes part of the cultural conversation. The kind that inspires loyalty not with discounts or gimmicks but with meaning. At the heart of Cult Creative is a...
A long time ago, we started telling stories. Before we had words, we painted our stories on cave walls. Stories helped us make sense of the world before we could explain it. They still do. We’ve been obsessed with stories ever since—not just for entertainment but for survival, meaning,...
I’ve spent years helping brands build communities. And I’ve seen time and again that the brands winning today aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones that become part of culture. One of the most powerful recent examples I came across didn’t involve a real spokesperson or influencer.. It involved an...
Costco (NASDAQ: COST) just released its latest earnings report, and memberships are booming. Costco now has 78.4 million paid memberships, a 6.8% increase from last year, with an impressive 93% renewal rate in the U.S. and Canada—even after a price hike in September. That’s brand loyalty at...
In an age where consumers are inundated with choices, why do some brands earn unwavering devotion while others remain forgettable? The answer lies not in discounts or clever marketing tricks but in something far more profound: Purpose. A purpose-driven brand transcends mere transactions. It builds emotional connections, ignites passion,...
Customer loyalty isn’t accidental—it’s the result of deliberate strategies that build trust, emotional connections, and exceptional experiences. Amazon, Netflix, and Apple, three of the most beloved brands, each take a different approach but share key principles: customer obsession, personalization, and brand identity. Amazon: The Power of...
What makes a truly great customer experience? Is it the quality of the product, the efficiency of service, or something more? Danny Meyer, founder of Shake Shack, Union Square Cafe, and Gramercy Tavern, has built his career around a simple yet profound truth: The real magic of a...
For years, marketers have been hooked on performance marketing—pouring budgets into activation tactics like paid search, lead gen, and retargeting. The promise? Quick wins, instant ROI, and a never-ending stream of leads. But here’s the truth: That gold rush is over. The Problem with Over-Reliance on Activation Performance marketing...