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When It’s Ok To Lie

We were at brunch when the beautiful blonde took a sip of her mimosa and said, “I don’t get what the big deal is. Everyone lies.” The other three women shook their heads in agreement and took a bite of their salads. No one seemed shocked or put off by the comment (except me). I…

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Marketers Manipulate Behavior and This Is Why You Should Too

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There’s a common saying in marketing circles that “You’re only responsible for what you put out, not what people take away.” I’ve even preached it as an inevitability of being in the Arena. People will skim and miss your point. People will love you a LOT or hate you a LOT (both of which have nothing…

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Why Your Facebook Rants Feel So Darn Good (But Still Don’t Work)

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We were at dinner. There were 6 of us. One of the six is Ann. Ann is the token loose cannon. We all are nice to Ann, but think she’s crazy. She’s a grandmother, very friendly, a little nutty. We’re polite and generally try and ignore her conspiracy theories or neuroticism because, you know, manners.…

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The Surprising Upside of Manipulation

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A funny thing happens when you tell people you work in marketing. You become the devil. “So (dramatic pause), you manipulate people for a living?” That’s always a fun conversation starter. (I recommend this debate if you’re bored at your next dinner party. #protip) When I started in marketing, the ethical boundary for me was very…

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Why We Buy Things We Don’t Need

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You know that feeling of standing in your closet filled with clothes, but you have nothing to wear? Most people believe that feeling is the brainchild of evil of branding and marketing experts conspiring to make you addicted to wanting more stuff. Trust me, marketers wish they could dupe you into buying things you don’t want. Heck, I’d…

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