Familiar Creatures’ Post

Ah, Valentine's Day. 💘 All over the world today, couples will uncork bottles of wine. So I thought, how can I make that a little more chaotic? (JK. Well, maybe a little.) In lieu of real-life chaos, I opted to do a brand voice breakdown. I chose 2 very popular and VERY different winemakers, tried to crack their brand voice code, and then made them sound like each other. Enjoy. 😉 #brandvoice #branding

In the world of whiskey, there has long existed a perception that it’s a robust brew only for men, as if the nectar of barley and oak might turn delicate constitutions to moonshine vapor. Anna Axster and Wendelin von Schroder clearly have other plans in mind and more power to them for it. Picture this: the traditional whiskey club as a Medieval castle, with towering stone walls and an exclusively male garrison. Suddenly, Anna and Wendelin arrive in nothing short of fine armor tailored in modernity's slick lines—women unafraid to walk boldly through the heavy iron gates, reshaping history itself. Like the gust of wind that topples the whole house of cards, these visionary cousins are about to infuse the old whiskey world with a breath of fresh air. They’re saying, “Why suffer from this old-style indigestion when diversity can be the key ingredient?”—ah, the triumph of new age thinking! While some might mock this effort purely as a marketing ploy, a cynical grab for headlines, isn’t it always that the wolves in sheep's clothing reveal the last laugh as pure innovation and heart? Perhaps what Anna and Wendelin are crafting isn’t merely liquid in glass but a catalyst for a more inclusive community. Consider it a journey: each dram of whiskey no longer whispered amongst the shadows of stogie-saturated rooms but swirled in an environment that explores partnerships, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Now, ponder the intrigue of how a shared interest might seed a gardener's delight of camaraderie—who is to say what flowers will bloom? But beware, dear traditionalists, of embracing sullen thoughts. Predictions hold power, and I foresee a kaleidoscope of flavorful combinations pouring forth, pooling together, unifying fans from all genders and backgrounds. So, if anything, when you next hear the clink of whiskey glasses, listen closely. Anna and Wendelin aren’t tearing down your castle; they’re furnishing a majestic hall within it for all to partake. In the heart of progress—for the love of a good story and an even better drink—cheers to expanding the circle. #WhiskeyRevolution #WomenInWhiskey #BreakingBarriers https://lnkd.in/emdgfXDV

Learn about Sazerac Company’s brands ⬇️ 🍹

Kansas City’s first Black Feast Week kicked off this week. In the coming days, I’m going to have some tough decisions to make about lunch or dinner plans. Through Oct. 14, more than a dozen Black-owned restaurants will band together to help support Willa’s Books and Vinyl, the city’s longest standing Black-owned bookstore. Not only is it vital to support locally-owned small businesses — we must ensure this venerable store remains a part of our community. Independent bookstores, especially Black-owned ones, are extremely important to the culture here. Sixteen restaurants will take part. The fare ranges from delicious vegan options to some of the tastiest fried foods in the city. Also on tap: Ethiopian and soul food dishes, as well as several unique loaded baked potato options from TC’s Fully Loaded food truck. Kansas City’s first Black-owned brewery, Vine Street Brewing Co., is offering deals on beer flights. Hungry or thirsty yet? To read my latest column on this wondeful event spearheaded by The Kansas City Defender, click on the link below or visit www.kansascity.com to #subscribe. For a list of participating restaurants, be sure to follow the Defender's page on #IG. LINK: ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gi5W4KXy #black #feast #week #kcmo #kansascity #blackfeast #blackfeastweek

This is a master class in short form video content! First the era of cringe millennial-core minimalism is DEAD!☠️ Creating and designing with minimalism in concept, color theory, typeface, branding, and beyond is over!! So aesthetically and conceptual I’m a fan of this commercial. But let’s analyze the commercial from a creatively executed sales funnel perspective. First the entry point of the funnel: Judge Judy and her iconic title sequence conveys attention-worthy entertainment across multiple generations. This broad-reaching, non-demo-specific, and familiar title sequence casts a wide net for potential viewers. Sticking with the sales funnel analogy these “viewers” would be Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs). Moving to the maturation phase, the second step of the funnel communicates a relatable problem to the audience. Which in this case is having to spend top dollar for good skin care products. Infatically presenting the problem effectively filters out MQLs/viewers whose problems do not align, ensuring that the forthcoming solution resonates as a compelling selling point. Driving a higher sales conversion rate. Finally, step three entails resolving the problem posed to the audience, the e.l.f glowy skin serum. Which should secure the sale or drive the desired action. However, the brilliance of this commercial lies in scenes between steps two and three. Multiple cameos from various niche market influencers strategically appeal to unique hyper-specific market segments, without isolating or alienating another segment. Those crucial scenes enhances the overall effectiveness of the content by re-engaging the audience after the initial attention span clock runs out. And giving a seemingly personally tailored Easter egg to a variety of beauty product consumer demos. In a nutshell effective short-form video content should follow a sinusoidal wave pattern, with each wave cycle lasting roughly 3-8 seconds and each crest serving as an attention-grabbing moment. Bonus points to small and mid-sized businesses by incorporating hyper-niche authority-focused components. 10/10 in my book 👏🏾👏🏾. Hats off to the creative team. I can write a novel on how well and why the influencers in the video were selected but that’s a topic for another post. Thank you for coming to my TEDTALK lol.

What do Clinton Cards and the drinks industry have in common? Here's a brain teaser for you – they both love playing it safe with stereotypes! While chatting with Jon Mills from Canterbury Brewers, we couldn't help but muse over the all-too-familiar sights of gin bottles that could double as your nan’s perfume bottle. It lead me to think deeper about those obvious ale clips adorned with classic racing cars, or the millions of cask cans emblazoned with the obligatory flaming skulls. 🏎️💀 But let's pause for a moment – why stick to the same old script? The assumption that there’s just one type of drinker out there is like casting a very broad, and rather uninspired, net. Isn’t it about time we thought outside the bottle? Why not be bold? Why not really dive deep into understanding different drinkers and create designs that resonate uniquely with them? There’s a world of opportunity in creativity, and honestly, it’s almost frustrating how much potential is out there waiting to be uncorked. 🌍🚀 Have you spotted any drink designs recently that really broke the mould? Drop a picture or tell me about it in the comments, or if your a drinks brand owner who wants to be a little more bold with their design drop me a DM! #DrinksIndustry #DesignInnovation #BreakTheMould #brewerybranding #ShakingUpStereotypes

Exploring the origins, age, and best serving suggestion – this ultimate guide provides everything you need to know about Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Why UGC is more important than people think? User-generated content (UGC) and its potential to transform engagement and amplify brand presence is often underestimated. UGC encompasses original content created by individuals, not brands—think social media updates, reviews, blogs, or unboxing videos—that resonate with authenticity and real experiences (Dylan, 2023). Take the Co-op example—Santa Claus with a Co-op bag at the bus station shared across social media 🎅🛄 . Co-op leveraged this UGC, embracing the festive spirit, garnering attention, and engaging their audience on LinkedIn with the catchy caption, "Santa's got a brand new bag." This simple yet effective use of UGC showcases its influence and brand amplification potential. Why is UGC critical? It drives increased engagement, builds trust through authenticity, and offers diverse perspectives, ultimately broadening a brand's reach (Dylan, 2023). As marketers, leveraging UGC could revolutionize your marketing strategies, improving customer funnels and conversions. Embrace UGC, tap into its authenticity, and witness the exponential growth it can unlock for your brand. Click here to explore the importance of UGC and how it can supercharge your brand's presence and conversions! https://lnkd.in/d36zHAvW #UGC #BrandAmplification #EngagementBoost #forbes #coop #marketingdoneright #marketing

FEATURED ARTICLE: 4 THINGS YOUR CLIENTS WISH YOU KNEW Despite our clients’ wishes, event professionals are not mind readers. We can make educated guesses, but we can’t predict someone’s favorite color or cuisine off the bat. Fortunately, you don’t need the gift of clairvoyance to learn the common “secrets” that clients wish weren’t so secret after all. Read this article by Kevin Dennis, CPCE to learn about four typical expectations, demystified — use them to enhance your sales process and elevate your client experience. https://lnkd.in/g-iw-H67 #reconnect #refine #renew #denver #nacedenver #thisisnace #wereback Our Awesome Sponsors: @studiojkphoto @alegreweddingsandevents @biscuitsbonnie @showtekevents2_0 @alicia.denise.a @maggie_arentwelucky @prez.dez @mangieandenjoy @igniteexperiences @channmccall

One of the companies I've been filming for the past 2 yrs is CREME. It is a free platform for cooking at home and connecting with chefs and restuarants. I was curious how many of the 1800+ recipes published (with more being added everyday), how many of those were ones that I'd shot.  The answer: It is a whopping 230 recipes shot with over 40 chefs across Europe and Scandinavia! This link will take you to my profile to learn more. https://lnkd.in/d-BtnVJc