Communication Theory

One of my pet peeves in the client review process is when someone does an informal survey. Essentially, the client takes the ad and passes it around their office (or sends it to their wife) looking for feedback. Methodology aside, this really only works when the employees have the same point-of-view as your target audience. Otherwise, you’re just taking a poll of opinions over drafting marketing materials with intention. Writing Copy for Marketing Materials If you do want to speak directly into the heart of your audience, you have to understand them. And often, their ideals, worldview, and behaviors [...]

The well-known Kelloggs cereal brand came from the work of not one — but two — brilliant inventors. The Kellogg brothers, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and Will Keith Kellogg worked as partners, then rivals, to create a wellness and food empire that changed the way we eat. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg was a precocious child who grew into an ambitious adult — favored by powerful religious leaders and propped up by his medical achievements. His hardworking younger brother, Will Keith Kellogg, built the cereal business as he worked alongside Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Their rivalry, combined with Will’s vision for [...]

The Gruen Effect (also called the Gruen Transfer) is a psychological phenomenon applied to shopping mall design. It’s named after the Austrian architect, Victor Gruen, who believed good store design started with the customer’s experience. Initially, Gruen deliberately constructed malls for efficiency, creating a sense of safety, and using a familiar flow. He discouraged confusing store layouts. Over time, his designs were intentionally reversed to disorient customers — creating the opposite effect and leading to impulse purchases. The Shopping Spectacle From the moment a customer enters a shopping mall or even a store, they must instinctively navigate the floor layout. Store owners [...]

If you want to get more out of your marketing team, look for ways that you can be a better partner.

#notdying4wallstreet brought the straw man of Social Darwinism back into the modern discussion. This time, the philosophy offers layers of historical criticism to sacrificing the poor on the altar of progress. The history of Social Darwinism has its roots in the 1800s American progressive movement — with the philosophy going through several manifestations. Initially, social scientists felt that natural selection was a necessary mechanism for social progression. During the 1800s, this was used to justify concepts like colonialism and eugenics. Modern anthropologists and psychologists use the concept of Social Darwinism differently. They argue that the human brain may have evolved to adapt to [...]

Out of all my higher education projects, I’ve referenced the studies in this paper most frequently. I suppose the topic of workplace conflict has been the most relevant for me, both as a manager and as a subordinate. “Organizational culture is important to managers and employees because they spend, on average, 2080 hours per year (minus vacation hours and holidays) in their place of work” MYERS AND PATTEN My original study reviewed a variety of methods a manager may use to detect the source of workplace conflict and eradicate damaging alliances in the workplace. This was important to me, as [...]

Whenever I have a chance to interview women about their artistic process, I build my questions around resetting expectations. Often, women in art get the fluffy questions. Who inspired you? As a woman… Who would you like to thank? Instead, I start at the beginning — letting my subject tell her story. This allows her to lead me through her journey as an artist. It breaks away from the assumptions and brings her voice to the forefront. Monique “Mobethatlady” Miller on how she pours passion into poetry and why she just listened to P!nk’s “Perfect” Originally published at Talk That Talk When [...]

Once people start reading this new book, they were disgusted.

Go to Buzzfeed, Instagram’s trending stories, or any popular YouTube channel and you can quickly find ASMR videos of moments that make people comment, “…so satisfying.” You’ll see hands stretching slime or clay pots spinning on wheels. Paint pours onto canvas. Fires timelapse across sculptures made of matches. I really noticed the monetization of this phenomenon in 2017. Our country had (for better or worse), just made it through a grueling election process full of fearful commentary, shrill talking heads, and ugly stories in “trending columns.” There were these moments of reprieve — swirling videos of color and calm — [...]

Misinformation about coronavirus (COVID-19) is spreading just like the disease. False “facts,” conspiracy theories, and bad advice pass from person-to-person with each repost. Let’s quarantine the worst misinformation websites and social media profiles. In This Article Coronavirus (COVID-19) Misinformation RoundupHow to Spot MisinformationUnderstand the IncentiveHow They Manipulate YouVerify from Multiple SourcesWays to Help The following information details the most popular misinformation about coronavirus, followed by tips on how to stop spreading fake “facts.” Coronavirus (COVID-19) Misinformation Roundup People claiming to be medical professionals, possess “insider information,” or post as “Eye-witnesses,” are flooding social media feeds. They don’t hold up to [...]