Chapter six:
Deep Thoughts
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You Can’t Have It All: Embracing the Conflict in Food
I heard a sharp intake of breath, quickly stifled. It’s the kind of thing that being a parent has taught me not to ignore…but also
Tony Rogers and Kurt Kane on Courage and Storytelling
Two of my favorite marketers recently did an episode of the CMO Moves podcast together. Among other things, they do a great job of describing
Walking Away from Facebook
I have been watching the “Walking in Memphis” commercial from Facebook’s More Together campaign, and I think it’s an interesting case study in storytelling for
Chicken Nuggets of Truth
On Saturday, my seventeen-year-old daughter surprised me by suggesting that she’d like Wendy’s chicken nuggets for lunch. You may need a little more information to
The Data Dilemma
Building a competitive advantage that is sustainable over time depends on the interplay between data and story. Data alone is just table stakes these days.
Escape from Beacon Rock
While you’re waiting for the next essay on data and story, I have a more personal piece to offer. It might particularly appeal to you
End of Story
A friend of mine is head of marketing at a large retailer. He understands my fascination with story, and he knows how much leverage he
What is Story For?
“The storytelling monkeys”—that’s an expression my partner Jim has used for years to describe what distinguishes humans from other animals. I always thought it was
The Illusion of Simplicity
Can you capture the essence of a brand in a single word? A couple of days ago, a friend in Dallas raised this question, citing
Serious Tips for Silly Humor
My partner, Jim, has just published his first novel, Fish Wielder, an “epically silly epic fantasy of epic proportions.” Of course, I urge you to buy
Archetypes and the Mentor Mistake
by David Altschul & Jim Hardison Archetype analysis is a popular, and sometimes useful, tool for anchoring a brand in the metaphor of story, but
A Christmas Monkey Miracle
The holidays can be hard. Joyful, but hard. My ten-year-old gave me her Christmas list this morning. She handed it to me over breakfast and