Why AI Content Makes Consumers Uncomfortable
Overuse of AI in marketing content, visual and text, can hurt brands significantly. So how for marketers best use AI in 2026? Some things to think about and ways to approach it.
2026 Brand Marketing Trends
Branding trends for 2026 need to think about warmth, comfort, connection and nostalgia. Cold efficiency is out. Warmth is in. Our four areas to focus on in 2026 for brands.
For Brands, The 1950s Are Back. Here's Why.
Tech and AI brands have become cold as brands. Now consumers are seeking warmth. Our research shows this is opportunity for brands to be seen as human.
Why AI Can't Spot What's Next in Culture
AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, are great for market research. Up to a point. They can’t provide Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and in this article I explain why.
AI Optimizes the Present. Culture Predicts the Future.
AI can tell you what happened in culture, but it can’t predict or forecast what’s changing, what’s coming next. That’s where Cultural Intelligence (CQ) comes into play. Let’s explore.
Values Insights from Social Listening
Surveys and focus groups are helpful, as all marketers know, up to a point. So when you want to understand customer values, you need to use social listening. Here’s why.
Cultural Pre-Analysis: The Insurance Your Brand Needs
Want to avoid a marketing campaign cultural landmine like Cracker Barrel, Bumble, Pepsi and others walked right into? Do a campaign pre-scan. It’s not hard.
Trending ≠ Culture (Does Your CMO Know the Difference?)
Brands that try to engage in cultural moments with viral social media trends often fail because they don’t understand how to do it right. This is how.
Using Habitus in Modern Marketing
Habitus is what we all “know” without thinking. For marketers who figure out how to leverage this, it’s pure marketing gold.
Cultural Mapping for Marketing
Cultural mapping provides powerful insights for marketing creative and messaging. It goes beyond where your data can go for powerful insights. Remember data doesn’t provide insights.