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    kraabel

    Perfect Films (Part 1)

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    Everyone has a favorite movie. Or at least that’s what they say. “This is my top five,” “That’s my all-time favorite,” “This one changed my life.” But me? I can’t narrow it down like that. There are too many. Some films hit me with perfect cinematography, others with unforgettable characters, and some just have a…

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    8D Audio Experiment

    Crafting Immersive Storytelling for Relaxation

     1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Binaural and 8D audio aren’t new. They’ve been floating around in the ASMR and lo-fi music worlds for years, usually with labels like “brain-tingling” or “mind-melting.” But I’m not here for gimmicks. I’m here to see if immersive audio can take storytelling beyond words—beyond just listening—to something that surrounds you. Why Mess With This? Because…

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    Make Those Five Seconds Count

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    I’ve written brand strategy documents that no one reads. Detailed creative briefs that get skimmed at best, ignored at worst. Spent hours crafting messaging frameworks, only to have someone ask, “So… what’s the takeaway here?” after flipping past 30 pages. It’s not that people don’t want information—they do. They just don’t have the patience to…

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    Controversial Takes on Brand Marketing in 2025

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    Marketing is always evolving, but not every shift is a step forward. Some trends are driven by data, some by fear, and others by industry groupthink. Looking ahead to 2025, here are a few marketing shifts I see happening—whether they’re good for business or not. Many Brands Will Pull Back from DEI Initiatives For the…

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    Marketing Trends Coming in 2025

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    Marketing keeps shifting, and 2025 looks like a year where the gaps between companies that adapt and those that don’t will grow even wider. I’ve been watching a few trends closely—some exciting, some concerning. Here’s where my head’s at right now. Every January, I put together a trend report—not just as a way to track…

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    DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT – From Their Perspectives

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    What happens when you ask two AI platforms to analyze each other? Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to see how ChatGPT and DeepSeek would describe one another. The results were fascinating. The Experiment I asked ChatGPT about DeepSeek and DeepSeek about ChatGPT. The goal was simple: to compare how these tools…

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    What’s Really Going On With TikTok’s Latest Legal Troubles?

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    Let’s talk TikTok. The latest legal battles surrounding the platform have been setting off alarms across industries—privacy concerns, geopolitical drama, and even some whispers of good old-fashioned overreach. If you know me, you know I love a good conspiracy theory as much as the next marketer who’s had too much caffeine and late night blue…

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    Welcome to the Brandverse

     1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Great brands don’t just sell products or services—they build worlds. These worlds are immersive spaces where customers not only feel seen and understood but experience a visceral connection that pulls them in, allowing them to escape the noise of daily life. This concept has been the backbone of my branding philosophy for years: create a…

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    The Birth of Catiki Originals

     1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    It all started with an idea that combined two of my passions: creative experimentation and Tiki art. I’ve always believed that you don’t wait for the right opportunity—you create it. That’s how Catiki Originals was born. I wanted to build a fun, playful creative platform where I could test the latest AI tools and see…

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    Why Political Science Majors Excel at Marketing

     1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    Marketing isn’t just about selling products or services; it’s about building trust and moving people to act. As a political science major turned brand marketer, I see the connection every day. Political science is a training ground for persuasion, storytelling, and strategy — the same core skills that drive great marketing. My years studying campaigns,…

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    Giving Back Through Brand Building

     1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    In 2025, I’m reviving one of my favorite passion projects: helping local companies build strong, memorable brands. Once each quarter, I’m dedicating time to work with a small business or entrepreneur to craft their brand story, refine their marketing strategies, and set them up for long-term success. Think of it as a mini brand incubation…

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    Jaguar Release Day

     1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Today isn’t just another day for Jaguar—it’s potentially the day. The iconic carmaker is poised at a crossroads: one path could redefine their legacy, and the other might cement the idea that they’ve missed their moment. I’ll be live-blogging the action as it unfolds, sharing the wins, the stumbles, and everything in between. Whether you’re…

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