Why pizza failed at McDonalds Jun 1, 10, 11:21 a.m.

A look at how focus and differentiation can help brands succeed.. alongside a few success stories and blunders.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s brand, nor his ox, nor his donkey. May 18, 10, 9:15 a.m.

A few Brand Commandments from my book: Speak Human.

What a Brand Is May 7, 10, 3:41 p.m.

Thoughts on brands... and how one might contextualize them for people who confuse them with ads and logos.

You’re the One to Market Your Company Apr 20, 10, 4:52 a.m.

A free chapter from my book: Speak Human.

Does design stop at line spacing? Mar 8, 10, 11:06 a.m.

In a recent interview, Paula Scher made some rather strange remarks surrounding social design. Here's my rebuttal.

Go World? Mar 3, 10, 2:05 p.m.

In all of our excitement, have we perhaps allowed corporations to effectively "co-opt" the human spirit?

Giving it away... Feb 25, 10, 2:35 p.m.

I've never posted in the "Public" area before although I tend to pop in every once in a while to see what's going on. (My reason for saying so, is that if what I'm posting here doesn't seem appropriate, I welcome you to tell me to "go away.")

Last year I wrote a book on marketing for small businesses. I'm part of a small design studio, so it's personally familiar territory, and we've helped a number of folks with these sorts of challenges.

The book has been well received so far, but we really want to get it out to more people. So, we're going to release it online, one chapter at a time, completely free.

The first two chapters are now available, and you can find the full Table of Contents here: http://www.speakhuman.com/look-i…

It's a completely independent effort, and a lot of sweat went into it. I hope you find it helpful--and perhaps even pass it on. :-)

How high school kills innovation Feb 10, 10, 6:32 a.m.

Ever find yourself in the middle of a project with a great client, only to have them drastically change course? It might be PHSSD.

The Best 2010 Super Bowl Ad Feb 5, 10, 4:06 p.m.

A little video I've been working on, looking at some of the ads for this year's Super Bowl... and the one that smoked them all.

Heart attack with that? Feb 2, 10, 8:02 a.m.

The beauty of this marketing strategy is that others spread the story for them. (Pity that few other marketers are so brave.)

You're boring Feb 1, 10, 8:16 a.m.

In spite of the millions spent on advertising, many still haven't found a story worth telling.

My Year of Failure Jan 21, 10, 9:10 a.m.

...pondering whether those perfectionist tendencies might be a hindrance.

Random Observations – Part 9 Jan 15, 10, 7:52 a.m.

The most recent in a long list of observations, musings, and whims. (Some possibly good, some probably not.)

The Licensed Designer Jan 2, 10, 10:18 a.m.

Given the proliferation of design programs making grand promises, do we need greater accountability and more universal standards?

Brand Commandments Dec 17, 09, 8:13 a.m.

Icograda shares a chapter from my new book Speak Human. (It's a brief one, but most seem to like it.)

My Money Where My Mouth Is Dec 14, 09, 11:36 a.m.

I'm marketing my book without the help of a publisher. At the end of the year, I share the results--be they good or bad.

Ask for the date Dec 12, 09, 1:18 p.m.

Allowing my horrible dating past to inform how others might better market their companies... and sell their stuff.

The Big Button Nov 26, 09, 7:45 a.m.

So many novel marketing concepts, but what if you could actually speak with the company you bought stuff from?

I don't care what you look like Nov 23, 09, 9:29 a.m.

A discussion, not so long ago, got us thinking about what we'll look for in upcoming hires.

The Content Delusion Nov 10, 09, 2:14 p.m.

It's great that all of us are now content creators. Pity that creating content is so hard to do...