👋 Hey Cult Branding fam—it’s BJ Bueno again. Today, I want to talk about something we all know is powerful… but rarely understand deeply: word-of-mouth. Why do some brands get talked about constantly—while others get ignored? That’s the question I set out to answer in my second book: Why...
👋 Hey friends, it’s BJ Bueno here. First off—welcome to all the new readers joining our Cult Branding community! I’m really glad you’re here. Every once in a while, I like to take it back to where this whole journey started for me: my first book,...
Hi there—it’s me, BJ Bueno 👋 If you’re new here—welcome! We’ve had a lot of new subscribers recently, and I just wanted to take a moment to say hello and introduce myself. I’m the founder of The Cult Branding Company and the author of a few books...
This past June, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan stood onstage at Cannes Lions and reminded us that a revolution in storytelling has already happened—we’re living in it. And if you're a marketing leader, the implications are massive. “Today, YouTube is the epicenter of culture. Not forgettable fads,...
Most brands see media strategy as logistics: channels, CPMs, impressions.But the media isn’t just a delivery system—it’s a declaration. Your media choices tell your customers who you are and what you value. Every placement, every partnership, every format sends a message—whether you intend it or not. And when...
In a world flooded with agencies promising everything under the sun, our approach is refreshingly different. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. We don’t chase awards. And we’re not here to wow you with pitch decks filled with jargon. Instead, we do something radical: we listen. Deeply....
Here’s a hard truth: Most successful brands sell dreams—not reality. That’s not a cynical take. It’s just how humans are wired. Airbnb doesn’t show you the cramped basement apartment with a clunky lock and an awkward host. They show you the treetop retreat in the jungle or the...
In marketing, targeting is often hailed as the holy grail. With today’s digital tools, we can zero in on precise audience segments—down to job title, purchase intent, or even what someone had for lunch. It’s no wonder that many marketers, especially those focused on performance,...
Spotify does something many brands struggle with: it makes billions of users feel like it’s made just for them. From personalized playlists to culture-savvy campaigns, Spotify turns creativity into a competitive advantage—and it keeps customers coming back. The key? Strategic storytelling that builds an emotional connection....
"It's not fashionable these days to say that you want to put more effort towards brand and consumer sentiment because they're harder to measure...