They say mistakes are the best way to learn. I’m not so sure about that, but mistakes definitely make for memorable lessons. Back in the late nineties, I began my first job in media buying. Essentially, learning how to spend a lot of money –...
Giving? No, in the world of retail, it’s about sales. There is a growing sense that this year, retailers are focusing on providing valued experiences in-store rather than over-investing in expensive advertising to get people through the door. This is hardly surprising in a climate of...
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Digital Highway Stopped off at a few retailers along the way I called on dear old Amazon To see what they say They took me to their workshop And told their plans to me, so You better watch out You better...
John Lewis & Partners in the UK has declared 2018 to be the “year of shopping on the move”, citing in their Annual Report how smartphones now account for 42% of visits (up 17 percentage points year on year). Downloads of the John Lewis app...
There can be no doubt that programmatic media buying has the potential to change the way brands connect with customers. The promise of more relevant, timely and persuasive communication is intoxicating for a marketer. Coupled with a more efficient media buy and greater transparency, programmatic...
In the US, fast food chain McDonalds have been reaping the rewards of a 3 year investment in building owned media channels like digital screens, digital menu boards, a mobile app and leveraging customer data. The organisation has not stopped advertising on paid media but have...
Rapha cycling is a compelling model for the future of retail. They’ve been hailed by some as an example of how bricks n clicks retailers can deliver an emotive and engaging experience. Mary Portas, retail legend and star of the British TV show Queen of...
Chess masters don’t focus on the pieces on the board, they look at the empty space for potential moves. Professional footballers don’t look at the player with the ball, they look at the other players moving into position. Amateurs focus ONLY on the pieces, on...
I ride a bike. I don’t particular like riding it, but I ride it 2-3 times a week for fitness. It is about 10 years old and on its last legs. It has 3 chainrings and 21 gears. Lately it has been getting stuck on...
This image did the rounds a few months ago and one of the reasons I think it spread was the fundamental truth behind the seismic shift in Bezos’s business, (as well as his personal physique). In under 20 years he has taken Amazon from selling...
