“We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
So says Prospero in The Tempest, grappling with a world that refuses to bend to his will. He has a vision, no doubt, but the journey is chaotic, riddled with surprises and shaped by the unpredictability of others. And truthfully, launching a new product in today’s saturated market feels much the same. Everyone’s got ideas, slick branding, and clever slogans. What sets you apart isn't just what you offer, but how you think.

A couple of days ago, I had the chance to travel to Vienna—a city I’ve always been curious about, not just for the cake (though yes, the Sachertorte delivered), but for something deeper. I’d long wanted to see the masterpiece of the Vienna Secession—the city’s own take on Art Nouveau—and probably Gustav Klimt’s most iconic work: The Kiss.
Standing in front of it, surrounded by that glowing gold and those intricate patterns, I was struck by how visually stunning and impossible it was to ignore. It grabbed and held your attention,

There was a time when a single, well-placed TV spot or full-page magazine ad could carry the weight of an entire marketing campaign. Today, that approach doesn’t hold up. Audiences are fragmented, media channels are multiplying, and consumers are more informed and discerning than ever before.

Marketing, at its core, was never meant to be a monologue. It began as something much simpler and far more human: a conversation. If you wanted to sell me something—a product or even an idea—you first had to connect. You had to make me trust you, relate to you, and maybe even like you. Marketing was built on relationships, not reach.

So I was listening to this episode of Akimbo, where Seth Godin and Leneita Fix were talking about donors, status, and finding your smallest viable audience—all through this fascinating lens of coral reef ecosystems (Godin, 2024).
And somewhere between talk of ecosystems and influence, Seth dropped a story about…
The humble potato.

Picture this: It’s the year 2000, and a Danish postman, Lars, wakes up at dawn, grabs his stack of letters, and begins his route. He’s the lifeblood of neighbourhoods, the bearer of news, love letters, and overdue bills. Fast forward to 2026—Lars is no longer needed. The Danish postal service has just announced its final letter delivery, shutting down a 400-year-old tradition. The culprit? Digitalisation. (The Guardian, 2025).

I've had more reinventions than Madonna and Lady Gaga combined—though, thankfully, none involving meat dresses or cone bras. 😉

Imagine you’re launching a new line of luxury chocolates. You can’t just make a great product and expect customers to flock to it. You need a strategy that puts customers at the heart of every decision. That’s where a customer value–driven marketing strategy comes into play.

4,000 Jobs Lost — Are You Next?
This morning’s news suddenly made my coffee taste bitter. It’s not as if I didn’t expect it — I’ve listened to the debates, watched the TED Talks, and read the predictions. But today, it’s no longer just a futuristic warning — it’s reality.

It started innocently enough. We were running errands, making a quick stop at the supermarket before heading home. As we navigated the aisles, my son, barely old enough to tie his shoelaces, turned to me with excitement:

“Mum! Can we get Buldak Ramen? The really spicy one?”

You’ve done your homework—the fundamentals are solid. Segmentation, targeting, and positioning? Nailed it. A brilliant hotel concept, world-class service, or a prime location means nothing if the right people aren’t paying attention. Clever marketing ensures your hotel isn’t just another option; it’s the option.

et’s explore the marketing genius behind Rolex.

Rolex isn’t just a watch; it’s a symbol of success. Alfred Davis and Hans Wilsdorf have built Rolex on a simple yet powerful idea: Luxury watches should be more than timekeepers; they should represent achievement and exclusivity.

I still remember the early days of social media—Facebook in 2006, then Twitter and Instagram lighting up our screens in 2010. Like everyone else, I jumped on board, sharing my thoughts, moments, and snapshots of life. Back then, it felt fun, innocent even. A way to connect, to be seen. 

Who doesn’t love a great story? The kind that pulls you in, makes you feel something, and keeps you hooked until the end.
Most classic tales follow a familiar pattern: A kingdom, a mighty king, a terrifying beast. A hero rises, faces

Life is basically one big chain of choices. Every day, we make decisions—big, small, life-
changing, and some we barely even notice.

It was a regular September afternoon, and I was doing my usual grocery run, grabbing way more than I needed. As I reached the checkout, the cashier looked at me and asked, “Would you like to collect stickers?”
Stickers? Really? What am I, five?

Once upon a time, marketing was all about the masses. TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines ruled the world, pushing mass-produced products to mass audiences. This one-size-fits-all approach worked for a while.

When I think about my favourite brands, the first thing that comes to mind isn’t their logo. It’s a feeling—a certain trust, expectation, or experience tied to that brand.
A logo is just a design. Sure, it can symbolise a company’s identity over time, but without meaning, it’s just a fancy shape.

After 14 years abroad, she was back. Armed with bold ideas, a fire in her belly, and a knack
for marketing, she was ready to carve her next chapter. The job hunt wasn’t just about finding
a role but about making an impact.