Thoughts on Writing

Thoughts on Writing explores the interplay between creativity, marketing, and ethics, challenging the effectiveness of purpose-driven branding while advocating for creativity and cognitive empathy in business practices. It critiques corporate purpose narratives, emphasizing human creativity and diverse perspectives over profitability and societal impact claims.

Branding and Marketing Ethics Corporate Purpose vs. Human Creativity Ethics and Politics in Advertising Impact of Social Purpose on Audience Perception Diversity and Empathy in Advertising Critique of Purpose-Driven Campaigns Creativity in Art and Education Effective Altruism and Ethical Concerns Role of Creativity in Society Ethical Business Practices and Consumer Perception Impact of Social Media on Marketing and Creativity

The hottest Substack posts of Thoughts on Writing

And their main takeaways

Purpose, authenticity and nepo-brands

1398 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Class dynamics
  1. The concept of class, authenticity, purpose, and nepotism in brands can influence perceptions and reactions to marketing efforts.
  2. Understanding the background and context of individuals behind brands can change how their messages are perceived by the audience.
  3. The discussion of privilege, lineage, and authenticity extends beyond marketing to various spheres like politics, entertainment, and public relations.

Notes not from Cannes

179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Creativity Purpose Advertising Awards Diversity
  1. Purpose in marketing needs to be rigorously examined to ensure it genuinely makes a positive impact on society, beyond just emotional storytelling.
  2. Judges should be empowered to focus on creativity in awards, ensuring entries are judged based on creativity rather than personal criteria or biases.
  3. There is a concern that the focus on purpose and diversity in awards may be devaluing creativity and leading to work that is detached from what the public actually likes.

The Road to Hell is out

299 implied HN points • 13 May 24
📚 Literature Authorship Book release
  1. The book 'The Road to Hell' examines the concept of purpose in marketing and business ethics, arguing that it often leads to bad outcomes for society.
  2. Historical events like financial crises, political u-turns, protests, and corporate actions are used to illustrate how the idea of 'purpose' has influenced business and marketing over the years.
  3. The author makes a case for a different approach in marketing and business that values creativity, cognitive empathy, humor, humility, and humanity over the concept of 'purpose'.

Have purpose agencies forgotten how to do charity ads?

379 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
💼 Business Advertising Non-profit Marketing
  1. Ad agencies may need to relearn how to create impactful charity advertising as commercial clients shift away from social causes.
  2. Charity ads must strike a balance between emotive storytelling and responsible representation of the cause to avoid misrepresentation.
  3. Creating purposeful campaigns for charities requires a different approach compared to commercial brands, involving sensitivity and skill.

Come say hell-o

159 implied HN points • 24 May 24
📚 Literature Book launch
  1. The author invites readers to a book launch in London and encourages them to leave their names for entry.
  2. Social proof is used to influence decisions by showcasing other buyers of the book.
  3. Readers are encouraged to leave ratings and reviews on Amazon to boost the book's visibility and encourage independent shops to stock it.
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Why adland snobs should relax and learn to love Status Quo

319 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Advertising Music Social media Brand Strategy Creativity
  1. In the advertising industry, it's important to question assumptions and prejudices to stay grounded and relevant.
  2. Brands like M&S are adapting to changing consumer priorities by emphasizing value without compromising quality.
  3. Social media, influencers, and ordinary people play a significant role in shaping modern advertising strategies.

The road to hell, part 3 of 3

499 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Ethics Society Creativity Advertising Politics
  1. Criticism of purpose has come from across the political spectrum from the centre to the far left, indicating a shift in traditional beliefs about corporate involvement in social issues.
  2. Business can play a vital role in society without the need for a higher purpose narrative, focusing instead on ethical challenges and human concerns.
  3. Creativity is the opposite of purpose, encouraging an open mindset that values exploration and curiosity over predetermined goals, suggesting a need for a greater emphasis on creativity in industries like advertising and design.

The Road to Hell: pre-orders open

119 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
📚 Literature Book release
  1. The author's book 'The Road to Hell' is available for pre-order, releasing on May 13th. Pre-ordering can provide a helpful algorithmic boost, particularly on Amazon.
  2. The book features quote contributions from notable figures in different fields like marketing, writing, and design.
  3. The cover design of the book, created by a renowned designer, uses symbols to represent the themes of doing well and doing good.

The Road to Hell, part 1 of 3

459 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Branding Ethics Marketing Capitalism
  1. Purpose in business, particularly social purpose, can lead to flawed ethical thinking and potentially negative outcomes.
  2. The concept of purpose emerged as a response to the reputational crisis faced by big businesses post-2008 financial crisis, aiming to portray them as 'good guys'.
  3. The purpose movement in business and marketing gained momentum in the 2010s but led to questionable outcomes, showcasing a gap between feel-good stories and harsh realities.

I heart creativity

639 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Creativity Marketing Purpose Social Change Advertising
  1. Purpose-driven initiatives sometimes overshadow creativity in marketing and may not always lead to impactful social change.
  2. The beauty of opt-in participation in branding creates a sense of community without imposing ideologies.
  3. Cognitive empathy and humility are important in creativity, contrasting with the closed mindset often associated with purpose-driven approaches.

Purpose Disruptors needs disrupting

319 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Advertising Climate change Economics Funding
  1. The ad industry and climate movement should aim for better collaborations and campaigns that actually make a positive impact.
  2. It's important to critically evaluate the claims and research behind advertising campaigns related to climate change to ensure credibility and effectiveness.
  3. Narratives around climate action in advertising should be aspirational, inclusive, and focus on tangible positive changes rather than guilt or deprivation.

The Road to Hell, part 2 of 3

379 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Social Impact Advertising Corporate culture
  1. Purpose in marketing often leads to sameness and lack of distinctiveness, as brands all start sounding the same with abstract, grandiose statements.
  2. Building a brand solely on purpose can create a weak foundation, leading to overexaggerated moral or ethical claims that may not resonate with customers.
  3. Prioritizing brand purpose over customer focus in marketing can lead to a disconnect with the audience and diminish the overall impact of marketing efforts.

All art isn't political

439 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Art Education Politics
  1. Art education is being influenced by former politicians pushing specific agendas onto creative realms.
  2. The focus on purpose-driven art can limit creativity and innovation by narrowing the scope of artistic expression.
  3. Creativity thrives when approached with an open mindset, allowing for exploration, unexpected detours, and connection beyond politics.

Good for nothing

599 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Branding Effectiveness Advertising
  1. The concept of purpose in branding can lead to purpose nihilism and moral grandstanding, creating a focus on image rather than genuine altruism.
  2. Critics of purpose-driven campaigns often focus on ethical concerns over commercial effectiveness, highlighting the tension between doing good and making profits.
  3. Effective altruism movements, while aiming for rational philanthropy, can sometimes lead to noble cause corruption, blurring ethical lines for the sake of perceived long-term benefits.

The long and winding road

159 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books Marketing Podcasts Creativity
  1. Author Nick Asbury is releasing a book called 'The Road to Hell' in March/April 2024, critiquing the concept of corporate purpose and advocating for human creativity.
  2. The book argues that the pursuit of corporate purpose led to poor marketing strategies and negative social outcomes.
  3. Asbury's work emphasizes the importance of valuing human creativity and cognitive empathy over corporate interests when it comes to business practices.

Patagonia, Paul Newman and another kind of purpose

519 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
💼 Business Purpose Philanthropy Activism Brand Marketing
  1. Yvon Chouinard challenges the concept of business and brand purpose, emphasizing the importance of human purpose over corporate ideals.
  2. Paul Newman's approach to philanthropy through Newman's Own showcases a unique blend of humor, humility, and a genuine focus on product quality over profit.
  3. Maintaining a separation between business and charitable activities, like Newman's Own, can lead to successful ventures that have a positive impact, while keeping a light-hearted approach.

Bernbach to the future

339 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
💼 Business Branding Advertising Purpose Ethics Marketing
  1. The purpose vibe shift in the industry reflects a changing attitude towards corporate purpose and its impact on growth.
  2. Bill Bernbach's ethical stance on advertising, such as turning away cigaret accounts, highlights the importance of principles over profit.
  3. Purpose in business should be a human imperative, acting as a counterbalance to corporate excesses, rather than a marketing tool for profit.

Try to see it my way

599 implied HN points • 10 May 22
🎭️ Culture Advertising Empathy Diversity Communication Persuasion
  1. Cognitive empathy, the skill of seeing things from others' perspectives, is essential in advertising and broader societal issues like preventing wars and climate change.
  2. Diversity in advertising means more than just race and gender; it should encompass various backgrounds like class and education to reach wider audiences effectively.
  3. A culture of cognitive empathy in advertising shifts focus from internal introspection to understanding and connecting with customers, helping the industry regain cultural relevance.

Fast writers and generous readers

339 implied HN points • 17 Aug 22
📚 Literature Poetry Writing Reading Criticism Communication
  1. Writing at speed in modern life is common, but it's crucial to balance it with thoughtful reading to avoid rushing to judgment.
  2. Language can be complex and sometimes betray us, so it's important to consider the context and medium in which statements are made before reacting.
  3. Being a generous reader, avoiding snap judgments, and nurturing media literacy skills are essential in today's world of diverse content and opinions.

Creativity is purpose enough

339 implied HN points • 29 Jun 22
🎭️ Culture Creativity Advertising Awards Ethics Industry
  1. Creative awards tend to align with projects that have a clear social purpose.
  2. Advertising award schemes prefer a purpose narrative over solely focusing on creativity.
  3. There is an ongoing debate about the balance between judging creative work based on its merits versus its social or moral impact in the advertising industry.

Dispatches from the pre-post-purpose age

79 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Politics Marketing Art Youth Creativity
  1. The ad industry is navigating the shift towards the pre-post-purpose age, where concepts like traditional values and future uncertainties intersect.
  2. Gen Z is a diverse and complex demographic that challenges the assumption of uniformity in purpose-driven marketing narratives.
  3. There is a growing discussion in the adland about redefining the concept of government and democracy, highlighting the evolving landscape of societal conversations beyond just corporate purpose.

Hmmm, Danone

419 implied HN points • 25 Oct 21
💼 Business Purpose Research Marketing Corporate Advertising
  1. The research study found that purpose-driven campaigns were less effective than non-purpose campaigns, but after filtering out 'weaker' cases, the best purpose campaigns showed more positive results.
  2. The response to the research was split, with purpose advocates emphasizing the positive findings, while purpose skeptics pointed out flaws in the methodology.
  3. The involvement of Danone in funding the purpose research highlights the importance of understanding the context and motivations behind research findings in the corporate world.

The opposite of school

419 implied HN points • 07 Oct 21
🚌 Education Alternative Education Neurodiversity Unschooling
  1. The family chose 'unschooling' as a way for their child to follow his interests and instincts, rather than sticking to traditional schooling.
  2. The decision to unschool was influenced by their child's diagnosis of autism, which made the school system challenging for him.
  3. Reading a book on self-directed education played a significant role in convincing the family that unschooling was a hopeful alternative to traditional schooling.

Purpose wins. Who loses?

359 implied HN points • 19 Jul 21
💼 Business Advertising Corporate culture Industry Trends Business Ethics
  1. The advertising industry has heavily emphasized purpose-driven work in creative awards schemes over the past two decades, potentially losing touch with reality.
  2. Brand purpose, while important, can sometimes become a shield that is hard to challenge, leading to debates on whether it truly benefits causes or if it is a commercial strategy.
  3. The importance of creativity, craft, and ideas in advertising and branding is highlighted, suggesting a refocus on these elements over a strong emphasis on social purpose.

Start with why, end with wire fraud

219 implied HN points • 24 Jan 22
💼 Business Ethics Entrepreneurship Advertising
  1. Dismantling the meme of Purpose is important for a happier society, but many see it as the solution rather than the problem.
  2. The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos illustrates the dangers of noble cause corruption and deception under the guise of a grand purpose.
  3. Questioning the 'Why' in business narratives is crucial to prevent being swept along by sentiment and to promote accountability in actions.

War and Purpose

159 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
💼 Business Ethics Marketing Corporate Social Responsibility Consumer behavior Globalization
  1. Businesses are complex entities made up of people from diverse backgrounds, and their responses to global crises like war reflect a mix of urgent crisis management and ethical considerations.
  2. Consumer sentiment towards brands and their involvement in social issues, such as the war in Ukraine, can vary based on age demographics, with younger generations showing less support for brands publicly addressing such issues.
  3. The role of purpose in guiding businesses during crises like the war in Ukraine is complicated, with examples like Unilever, Danone, and HSBC showcasing the challenges of aligning purpose with real-world actions and ethical considerations.

The reality distortion field

239 implied HN points • 19 Aug 21
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Capitalism Advertising Corporations
  1. Reactions to discussions about brand purpose can vary, with some finding it hard to openly express skepticism in certain professional settings.
  2. The concept of purpose in business is complex and often seen as a grey area, leading to varied opinions about the role of advertising and selling.
  3. Criticism of the emphasis on brand purpose and potential distortion of ethics in business highlights the need for a deeper reflection on the motivations behind corporate actions.

Pre-post post

39 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Poetry Podcast Songwriting Conversation
  1. The author is planning to post a three-part 'case against purpose' next week, merging various arguments against purpose into one place. It's based on a recent talk given in Ghent.
  2. The author has engaged in a podcast conversation triggered by their recent post 'All art isn't political', delving into the politics of poetry and creativity, among other topics.
  3. The author has ongoing creative conversations in 'Songwritings' with Kate van der Borgh, interweaving discussions on writing, dream states, and the popularity of the supernatural in the early 20th century.

A decade of disappointments

179 implied HN points • 24 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Creativity Critique Mindset Self-Publishing Influence
  1. The inspiration behind the Disappointments Diary stemmed from a reaction to the overwhelming positive messages on social media, highlighting the importance of addressing toxic positivity and embracing emotional realism.
  2. The Negative Path to Happiness, as advocated by authors like Oliver Burkeman, suggests that embracing uncertainty and insecurity can lead to a more lasting form of contentment than relying solely on positive thinking.
  3. Navigating the ups and downs of a creative project involves quixotic optimism, distribution challenges, and the contextual nature of optimism, especially in the realms of social media and politics.

The story of why

2 HN points • 09 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Leadership Purpose Innovation
  1. Simon Sinek's 'Start With Why' focuses on the core purpose of brands, suggesting that understanding the 'why' behind actions can drive success.
  2. Sinek's Golden Circle model applies the concept of 'why, how, what' to brand messaging, emphasizing the importance of emotional appeal.
  3. Critiques challenge the scientific basis of Sinek's theories, highlighting the impact of rhetoric, marketing strategies, and storytelling in business success.

Five critical patch updates for the English language

99 implied HN points • 16 Sep 21
🎭️ Culture Language Communication Societal Issues Analogies
  1. A constructed language called Lojban aims to reduce ambiguity, demonstrating how language design can impact communication.
  2. Words like 'compare' and 'explain' can lead to misunderstandings due to multiple meanings, affecting how statements are interpreted.
  3. Language vulnerabilities can hinder effective communication and understanding, showcasing the importance of clarity and precision in expression.

An arising of thoughts on copywriting, poetry, advertising, design, language and culture.

0 implied HN points • 16 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Writing Advertising Design Language Business
  1. The post explores various topics like copywriting, poetry, advertising, design, language, and culture
  2. The author invites readers to subscribe to access evolving thoughts related to business, ethics, consciousness, and reality
  3. Links are provided for readers to engage with the author on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn