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Customers First

From Streaming to Belonging

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 just content. It’s context, culture, and community.

Personalization with Purpose

Every December, Spotify Wrapped gives users a look back at their year in music. It’s playful, often funny, and always personal. But more importantly, it tells a story—the listener’s story.

That’s what makes it effective. Spotify isn’t talking about itself. It’s holding up a mirror to its customers and making them the main character. This approach helps customers feel like they belong to something meaningful.

Messaging That Moves With Culture

Spotify’s marketing teams are tuned into culture. Whether it’s a cheeky subway ad or a data-driven social campaign, their messaging is timely, human, and often self-aware.

That relevance drives what we refer to as Cultural Resonance. Spotify doesn’t just follow trends; it reflects the way people actually use the product, and it does it with creativity that feels honest and earned—not forced.

Turning Listeners into Loyalists

Spotify builds community around taste. Fans don’t just follow artists—they follow each other. Through collaborative playlists, artist-curated content, and social sharing, users feel like part of something bigger.

This is Tribal Connection—one of the most powerful ways to turn customers into advocates. When people see their values and interests reflected in your brand, they’re more likely to stay engaged and spread the word.

What Business Leaders Should Take Away

Spotify shows that creativity—done well—isn’t fluff. It’s function. Personalization, cultural fluency, and emotional storytelling help the brand stand out in a crowded market and stay top of mind.

The neuroscience backs this up: storytelling activates brain chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine that drive trust, attention, and memory. That’s not just marketing—it’s smart strategy.

At Cult Branding, we’ve built the Cult Creative framework to help companies unlock this kind of resonance. It’s designed to help you define your core narrative, tap into cultural movements, and foster loyal brand communities.

If you’re looking to elevate your brand’s creative strategy, we’d love to share our latest thinking.

👉 Request access to the Cult Creative white paper

June 15, 2025 by

Customer Experience Isn’t Just a Department—It’s Your Whole Company

“Customer service shouldn’t just be a department, it should be the entire company.” — Tony Hsieh, Founder of Zappos

Too often, companies isolate customer experience (CX) within a single department, treating it as a support function rather than a fundamental business philosophy. But exceptional customer experience doesn’t start or end at the customer service desk—it permeates every corner of your organization.

Why CX Must Be Company-Wide

Customer experience is the sum total of all interactions a customer has with your brand. From marketing and sales to operations and finance, every team contributes to that collective impression.

When CX is viewed as the responsibility of a single department, gaps and inconsistencies inevitably emerge. A truly customer-centric brand understands that customer experience is everyone’s job.

Company-Wide CX in Action

Zappos: Known for legendary customer service, Zappos doesn’t delegate CX to just one team. Every employee, regardless of their role, undergoes extensive customer service training, emphasizing empathy, responsiveness, and empowerment. This holistic approach ensures consistency, authenticity, and exceptional interactions. Employees are encouraged to create memorable moments for customers, fostering genuine relationships that drive loyalty and advocacy.

Disney: Disney views every employee as a critical customer interaction point. From cast members greeting guests at the park entrances to maintenance teams ensuring immaculate environments, everyone is trained meticulously to uphold the brand’s commitment to magical experiences. Disney’s strong culture of storytelling and attention to detail means each employee understands their role in creating seamless, memorable experiences. This deep, company-wide commitment turns routine interactions into extraordinary moments, reinforcing the Disney brand as synonymous with exceptional customer experiences.

Integrating CX Across Your Organization

To embed customer experience company-wide, consider these practical strategies:

  1. Create a Unified Vision: Clearly communicate your customer experience goals across all teams. Everyone should understand how their role directly impacts customer satisfaction.
  2. Encourage Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Break down silos. Foster collaboration through regular cross-team meetings and shared CX objectives.
  3. Train Beyond Customer Service: Invest in comprehensive CX training for all employees, emphasizing empathy, responsiveness, and problem-solving skills.
  4. Measure and Reward CX Contributions: Implement metrics that assess CX across departments, and reward teams for meeting or exceeding customer satisfaction targets.

The Impact of a Unified Customer Experience

When customer experience becomes everyone’s priority, the results are profound:

  • Increased Customer Loyalty: Consistent, positive interactions build long-term customer relationships.
  • Higher Revenue: Customers who enjoy excellent CX spend more and become brand advocates.
  • Operational Efficiency: Cross-functional collaboration and clear CX goals streamline processes and reduce friction.

Make CX Your Competitive Advantage

Exceptional customer experience doesn’t happen by accident—it’s strategically nurtured through every level of your organization.

Stop thinking of CX as merely a department. Make it your company-wide philosophy, and watch your customers reward you with loyalty, growth, and advocacy.

June 13, 2025 by

Why a Brand Strategy On A Page Works

Strategy can feel intimidating — especially when you’re new or facing a messy project. That’s where a Strategy On A Page becomes invaluable.

It distills the key elements of your strategy into one clear, structured format, making the process less overwhelming and easier to navigate.

If you’re just starting out, practicing with this tool helps you break down the big picture and focus on what matters most.

If you’re stuck during research, use it as a prompt to sharpen your questions: 

What problem are we solving? 

What’s the key insight? 

What’s our strategic approach?

If you’re struggling to tell the story, this format provides a simple narrative arc that connects the dots.

At its core, a Strategy On A Page isn’t just a summary — it’s a demonstration of clear thinking, smart focus, and persuasive storytelling.

It makes the unfamiliar, familiar — and that’s what drives great strategy forward.

May 20, 2025 by

Great Marketers Drive the Business and Build the Brand

There’s a big debate happening in marketing right now.

Some people argue that a marketer’s main job is to drive the business — bring in sales, hit the numbers, boost short-term performance.

Others say it’s to build the brand — create emotional connections, increase loyalty, and make the company culturally relevant.

But honestly? I think we’re all asking the wrong question.

Because today, successful marketers have to do both. It’s not “either-or” — it’s “and.”

Let me explain why.

The Pressures We’re All Facing

Let’s be real: the pressure on businesses right now is intense.
We’re dealing with economic uncertainty, a culture that’s constantly shifting, fast-changing technologies, and consumers who want more for less. And on top of that, there’s relentless internal pressure to deliver results — quickly.

Thanks to the rise of digital tools and analytics, marketers today have endless data at their fingertips. It’s no surprise that a lot of effort goes into short-term tactics: driving conversions, hitting targets, and showing immediate ROI.

These “push” strategies definitely work — they can move product and hit goals. But they’re also expensive to maintain and, over time, don’t necessarily deepen a consumer’s relationship with the brand. That leaves brands vulnerable: if someone else comes along offering a lower price or a flashier promotion, those customers might walk.

Brand Building Is About More Than Looking Good

On the flip side, there’s often this idea that brand building is a fluffy, “nice-to-have” part of marketing — the pretty campaigns, the big emotional ads, the creative work that’s hard to tie directly to numbers.

But here’s where we bring in the cult branding perspective.

When you build a strong, distinctive brand, you’re not just making cool ads — you’re creating pricing power. You’re setting yourself apart in a way that makes people want to pay more for you, trust you, and buy from you again and again.

Think about a brand you personally love. Chances are, you pay more for it than you would for a generic version — and you probably buy it more often. That’s not just habit; that’s an emotional connection. That’s loyalty.

Cult brands understand this deeply. They know how to create symbols, rituals, and stories that pull people in, turn them into fans, and make them feel part of something bigger. And that pays off, not just in awareness, but in real dollars and long-term growth.

Balancing Today’s Sales with Tomorrow’s Loyalty

Here’s the secret: marketing isn’t about picking sides between sales and brand. It’s about balancing them.

The best brands don’t just chase the next transaction or the next viral moment. They find smart, creative ways to connect short-term wins with long-term health.

They hit their sales goals and make work that people talk about.
They bring in new customers and win awards for creativity.
They execute flawlessly and shape culture.

This is where a smart marketing strategy comes in. Cult brands don’t treat performance marketing and brand marketing like two separate departments. They integrate them. They let brand purpose guide their creative work, and they let data sharpen their storytelling. Every touchpoint — from a social ad to a product launch — reinforces what they stand for and why they matter.

Embracing the “AND”

So, next time you hear someone ask, “Is marketing’s job to drive the business or build the brand?” push back.

The brands that win today do both.
They move hearts and wallets.
They deliver short-term numbers and build long-term meaning.

When you embrace the AND — instead of choosing between performance and purpose — you unlock a much more rewarding journey for yourself, your team, and your brand.
P.S. Want to see what bold creativity looks like in action (without sitting through another dull pitch deck)? Cult. Creative. is our latest live deck—packed with killer ideas, unforgettable ads. View it in Google Slides—no downloads, just instant inspiration. [Request access here.]

May 13, 2025 by

Costco’s Cautious Customers

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 its finest.

So, what’s the secret behind Costco’s devoted customer base? 

And how can we apply these lessons to our own businesses? 

Here’s what I’ve learned.

Membership Model: The Power of Buy-In

Costco’s annual membership fee isn’t just about revenue—it’s about commitment. When customers pay to be part of an exclusive club, they feel invested. This creates a sense of belonging and a psychological pull to keep shopping there. For me, the takeaway is simple: Give customers a reason to feel like insiders.

Private Label Products: Trust Through Quality

Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand has become a cult favorite, offering premium quality at lower prices. By consistently delivering value, they strengthen trust—and trust builds loyalty. I believe brands that create their own high-quality offerings can achieve a similar effect.

Loss Leaders: The Hidden Hook

Ever notice how Costco’s gas stations have some of the lowest prices around? That’s no accident. Loss leaders like cheap fuel lure customers into the store, where they end up spending more. I see this as a smart strategy—offering an irresistible deal that brings customers in, then keeping them engaged with great products and experiences.

Limited Selection: Less is More

Unlike traditional retailers, Costco offers a curated selection of products, simplifying decision-making for customers. This not only streamlines operations but also reinforces a sense of exclusivity—only the best make it onto Costco’s shelves. I think any business can benefit from refining its offerings to focus on what truly matters to its customers.

Employee Satisfaction: Happy Team, Happy Customers

One factor in customer loyalty that often gets overlooked? Employee happiness. Costco is known for paying higher wages and offering great benefits, leading to better customer service. Happy employees create positive shopping experiences, which keeps customers coming back. In my experience, investing in your team isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business.

A Winning Formula for Any Business

Costco’s approach isn’t just for warehouse clubs—it’s a masterclass in customer loyalty that any business can learn from. 

Whether you’re in retail, hospitality, or services, focusing on membership-like engagement, trust, strategic pricing, curated offerings, and employee satisfaction can set you apart.

Costco’s stock has skyrocketed over the past few years, and I believe its commitment to customer relationships is a major reason why. 

Loyalty isn’t just about points and perks—it’s about making customers feel like they’re part of something bigger.

And that’s a lesson I think every business can use.

April 6, 2025 by

Beyond Transactions: How Purpose-Driven Brands Win Devotion

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, and fosters loyalty—not because of what it sells, but because of what it stands for.

The Shift from Selling to Belonging

Traditionally, businesses focused on products and prices, believing that quality and value were enough to win customers. But today’s most iconic brands understand that people don’t just buy what you sell; they buy why you sell it.

Take Patagonia, for example. The company isn’t just in the business of outdoor apparel—it’s on a mission to protect the planet. This ethos isn’t an afterthought; it’s woven into every decision, from supply chain ethics to its famous “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign, urging customers to buy less and make sustainable choices. The result? A fiercely loyal community that sees Patagonia as more than a brand—it’s a movement.

Purpose Activates Word of Mouth

People naturally talk about things that make them feel something. When a brand stands for a larger purpose, it gives customers a reason to share its story. This is the fuel behind cult brands—their followers don’t just purchase; they advocate.

Consider Liquid Death, a brand that took the simple act of drinking water and turned it into an irreverent, punk-rock rebellion against plastic waste. The brand’s voice, values, and radical environmental stance create an army of fans who proudly spread the message.

Building a Purpose-Driven Brand

If you want to move beyond transactions and build true devotion, consider these principles:

  1. Define Your Purpose Clearly
     Ask: Why do we exist beyond making money? Your purpose should be authentic, clear, and compelling.
  2. Align Actions with Values
     It’s not enough to have a mission statement—your brand must live it. Authenticity builds trust; inconsistency erodes it.
  3. Create Experiences, Not Just Products
     Brands like Apple and Nike don’t just sell items; they design immersive experiences that reinforce their deeper purpose—whether it’s innovation or human potential.
  4. Empower Your Community
     When customers see themselves as part of something bigger, they become your most vocal advocates. Give them ways to participate, contribute, and share in your mission.

The Future Belongs to Brands with Meaning

In a world of infinite choices, the brands that inspire loyalty aren’t just the ones that offer the best products—they’re the ones that make people feel part of something bigger. 

Purpose-driven brands don’t just win customers; they earn devotion.

Are you building a movement?

March 30, 2025 by

How AI and Personalization Are Reshaping Customer Engagement

Customer loyalty isn’t what it used to be. 

The old days of punch cards and generic rewards are fading, replaced by something far more powerful: 

AI-driven personalization. 

Brands like Spotify, Starbucks, and Sephora have mastered the art of knowing their customers—sometimes better than customers know themselves.

When a brand consistently anticipates what you want, tailors experiences to your preferences, and makes your life easier, you keep coming back. 

That’s the new loyalty: not just transactional, but deeply personal. 

Here’s how these brands are leading the way—and what we can learn from them.

Spotify: Using AI to Curate Your Life’s Soundtrack

Spotify has done something remarkable: it makes over 140 million users feel like the platform truly understands them.

How? AI-powered personalization.

Every time you skip, repeat, or like a song, Spotify’s algorithm learns your taste. This fuels features like:

  • Discover Weekly – A custom playlist of songs you’ve never heard but might love, delivered every Monday.
  • Spotify Wrapped – A personalized year-in-review that’s so fun and shareable, it goes viral every December (nearly 160 million people engaged with it in 2022!).

These AI-driven experiences don’t just keep users engaged—they make Spotify indispensable. When an algorithm picks music that perfectly matches your mood, why switch to another service?

What I take from this: Personalization isn’t just a feature—it’s a loyalty engine. The more tailored your brand’s experience, the harder it is for customers to leave.

Starbucks: Turning an App into a Personal Barista

Starbucks may sell coffee, but a big part of its success comes from its digital ecosystem—particularly the Starbucks Rewards app.

This app isn’t just about collecting points. Thanks to AI (via Starbucks’ internal system, Deep Brew), it remembers what you like and customizes promotions accordingly.

  • If you usually get a caramel macchiato, the app might suggest a new seasonal twist on it.
  • If you haven’t ordered a breakfast sandwich in a while, it might send you a discount to entice you back.

And it works:

  • 34.3 million active Starbucks Rewards members in the U.S. (up 13% year-over-year).
  • Loyalty members account for over half of Starbucks’ in-store purchases.

By making ordering ultra-convenient (saved customizations, order-ahead features) and deeply personal, Starbucks has made itself part of its customers’ daily routines.

What I take from this: The best loyalty programs don’t just reward purchases—they make customers feel known and valued.

Sephora: AI-Powered Beauty Advice at Scale

Sephora has mastered personalized beauty shopping—whether in-store or online.

Through its Beauty Insider program (with 25+ million members), Sephora tracks customer preferences, including:

  • Skin tone and concerns (from quizzes and past purchases).
  • Favorite product categories (lipstick, skincare, etc.).
  • Browsing and shopping habits.

Then, it uses AI to make tailored recommendations, such as:

  • Suggesting a foundation shade that matches your skin tone.
  • Sending tutorials on how to use the products you just bought.
  • Reminding you about that perfume sample you tried in-store.

Sephora also launched Virtual Artist, an AI-driven tool that lets users try on makeup via augmented reality. This takes personalization beyond product recommendations—it helps customers feel confident in their choices.

And the payoff? Personalized recommendations drive higher spending and retention.

What I take from this: Customers don’t just want to buy—they want guidance. If your brand can offer personalized advice, it becomes more than just a store—it becomes a trusted partner.

Why AI-Powered Personalization Creates Unbreakable Loyalty

When AI and personalization work together, they create a powerful feedback loop:

More engagement = more data.
More data = better personalization.
Better personalization = deeper loyalty.

Think about it:

  • Spotify users stick with the service because their playlists feel uniquely “theirs.”
  • Starbucks Rewards members bypass other coffee shops because the app makes ordering effortless.
  • Sephora shoppers return because the brand “gets” their beauty needs.

This kind of loyalty goes beyond discounts. 

Customers stay because the experience is seamless, relevant, and irreplaceable.

How Any Brand Can Use AI to Build Loyalty

Use data responsibly – Customers are happy to trade data for better service, but transparency is key. Let them know how you’re using it.

Make personalization part of the product, not just marketing – Netflix, Spotify, and Sephora bake personalization into the user experience, not just email promotions.

React in real-time – If a customer suddenly stops engaging, AI should trigger a win-back offer or personalized nudge.

Combine rewards with personalization – Loyalty programs work best when they’re both transactional and emotional. Personalized perks (like Starbucks’ custom discounts) make points even more enticing.

Keep learning and improving – AI gets better over time. Track what’s working (click-through rates, engagement, retention) and continuously refine the experience.

In a world where customers have endless choices, the brands that stand out are the ones that cut through the noise with relevance.

Spotify, Starbucks, and Sephora prove that when a brand consistently delivers the right experience at the right time, customers don’t just return—they become loyal for life.

March 25, 2025 by

The Secret to Unforgettable Customer Experiences

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 brand isn’t just in what it offers—it’s in how it makes people feel.

“Shake Shack started off as a summer hot dog cart in Madison Square Park. It was not meant to be a company—it was completely accidental. It started as an expression of community building.” — Danny Meyer

What began as a humble hot dog cart turned into a global brand, not because of its menu alone, but because of the sense of belonging it created. Meyer’s philosophy of enlightened hospitality transformed the dining experience by shifting the focus from transactions to relationships.

Beyond Service: Creating Emotional Connections

Many businesses believe great service is enough. But hospitality is something deeper—it’s about fostering meaningful emotional connections. Customers return not just because they enjoyed a product, but because they felt valued, understood, and part of something bigger.

This applies to every industry, not just restaurants. Whether you’re in retail, technology, healthcare, or finance, the brands that humanize interactions create the most loyal followings.

The Power of Putting People First

At the heart of enlightened hospitality is a fundamental principle: Take care of your employees first, and they will take care of your customers. When internal culture thrives, it extends outward and shapes the customer experience.

Businesses that prioritize people over profit build deeper trust, stronger relationships, and lasting loyalty. Customers don’t just buy from them—they advocate for them.

How to Create Exceptional Brand Experiences

If you want to build a cult-like following for your brand, consider these key principles:

  • Prioritize people over profit – Great brands don’t chase transactions; they build communities.
  • Anticipate needs – Customers may not always articulate what they want, but brands that understand their deeper desires stand out.
  • Make it personal – Customizing interactions and making customers feel special is the key to long-term loyalty.
  • Foster a sense of belonging – People crave connection. Brands that create shared experiences build deeper relationships.

At its core, hospitality is about human connection—a principle that applies to all businesses. The brands that embrace this create loyal fans, not just customers.

What’s a brand that made you feel valued?

March 11, 2025 by

Data-Driven Brand Loyalty

For CEOs, data is only as powerful as the insights it unlocks. The strongest brands use emotion-based analytics to drive loyalty—not just traditional KPIs.

Emotional Engagement Metrics: The Next Frontier in Brand Data

Adobe reports that loyal customers spend 67% more than new ones, but most companies fail to measure the emotional drivers behind loyalty.

Case Study: Starbucks – The Science of Habit-Driven Loyalty

Starbucks uses data to track emotional engagement through rituals like mobile ordering and rewards programs. Customers don’t just buy coffee—they build habits.

Case Study: Apple – The Power of an Exclusive Ecosystem

Apple’s NPS score exceeds 72, largely due to intelligent data analysis that continuously refines its loyalty ecosystem, ensuring that customers always feel like insiders.

How CEOs Can Leverage Data for Brand Devotion

  • Measure emotional loyalty, not just transactions: Use NPS, sentiment analysis, and advocacy metrics.
  • Design data-driven rituals: Use AI and behavioral insights to create engagement habits.
  • Turn customers into co-creators: Cult brands crowdsource product ideas and design personalized experiences based on real-time feedback.

Are you measuring the emotional impact of your brand—or just the financials?

February 25, 2025 by

AI & Human Connection: The Future of Customer Loyalty

The conversation around AI in business often centers on automation and efficiency. But for cult brands, AI isn’t about replacing human connection—it’s about enhancing it.

AI’s Role in Customer Engagement & Brand Trust

A McKinsey study found that AI-powered personalization leads to a 200% increase in conversion rates. But more importantly, AI allows brands to deepen emotional connections at scale.

Case Study: Nike – AI-Powered Personalization for a Cult Following

Nike’s SNKRS app uses AI-driven personalization to tailor content to each user, creating an exclusive VIP experience that makes customers feel valued. This strategy contributed to a 40% surge in digital engagement.

Case Study: Salesforce – The AI-Enabled Customer Advocate

Salesforce’s AI-driven customer engagement tools don’t just automate responses; they predict and anticipate customer needs, ensuring that interactions feel personal, seamless, and deeply connected.

How CEOs Can Use AI to Strengthen Customer Loyalty

  • Prioritize AI-driven personalization: Go beyond segmentation and craft hyper-personalized brand experiences.
  • Use AI to deepen—not replace—human interactions: The best brands use AI to enhance empathy, not eliminate it.
  • Measure AI’s impact on emotional engagement: Track sentiment analysis, emotional loyalty scores, and advocacy rates.

How is your brand using AI to make customers feel more valued—not just more efficient?

February 18, 2025 by