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    kraabel

    Customer Evolution through Aspirational Identity

    1024 663 Michael Kraabel

    In a time when consumer expectations extend beyond product functionality to encompass personal growth and identity enhancement, brands face the imperative to evolve. This is where the Voyager Brand Value Model (VBVM) comes in, a conceptual framework designed to anchor brand value in the aspirational identity of the consumer. By shifting focus from the transactional…

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    Voyager Brand Value Model Exploration

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    It’s time for us to move beyond the purpose-driven “why” framework and other brand models that focus exclusively on the customer in a static state. A new approach, focusing on “who” the customer becomes through engaging with the brand, emphasizing their aspirational identity and transformational journey, should be explored. This model shifts the focus from…

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    The Adaptive Brand Ecosystem Model

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Adopting and developing a brand model provides structure and direction to branding activities. It ensures strategic focus, guides investment in high-impact initiatives, fosters innovation, guarantees consistency across touchpoints, enables effective measurement and evaluation, and aligns internal stakeholders. Most of all, it serves as a blueprint for your marketing and brand campaigns. However, not all models…

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    Beyond Purpose-Driven Brand Marketing

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Throughout history, brand marketing has continually adapted to new technologies and shifts in consumer preferences. From simple marks of craftsmanship to complex digital campaigns, brand marketing has become a fundamental aspect of business strategy, aiming to build brand equity, loyalty, and a strong emotional connection with consumers. As consumer preferences change, so must our methods…

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    The Third Place

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    In the quiet hum of a bustling coffee shop, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the low murmur of conversations, lies the essence of what sociologists call “The Third Place.” A concept popularized by urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, it refers to those inclusive locations that are neither home (the first place) nor…

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    Creative Collaboration With Generative AI – Part One

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Even though I’ve spent most of my professional career developing some pretty advanced digital marketing campaigns, I admit that I am somewhat of a Luddite.  This goes back quite a while, I’m afraid to admit.  I remember when USB 1.0 came out and threatened to replace the precious serial ports on my computer.  I thought…

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    Artificial Intelligence (AI) vs. Human Intelligence (HI) in Creative

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    My initial stance was to be highly skeptical of using artificial intelligence (AI) in branding and marketing. The very idea of AI weaving its way into a space so profoundly reliant on human insight, emotion, and connection seemed, for lack of a better word, apocalyptic.  After all, the creative industry typically thrives on nuances I…

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    The Future of Fractional Creative Leadership

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Over the past couple of years, I have witnessed the rise of a trend: the emergence of fractional marketing executives as the norm rather than the exception. These seasoned professionals offer their expertise to companies on a part-time or project basis, providing strategic leadership without the full-time commitment. This model has gained traction across various…

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    Inspiring Brand Mission Statements

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Brand missions articulate the purpose and intentions of a company, often focusing on what they aim to achieve for their customers, society, or the world at large. A strong brand mission goes beyond the pursuit of profit to encapsulate the impact the brand strives to make. Here are some examples of compelling brand missions from…

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    The Silent Online Majority

    1024 684 Michael Kraabel

    A significant portion of the online community, which I started to refer to as the “silent online majority,” primarily consumes content without actively engaging in creation or extensive interaction. As I have started to research this group, I started to look for ways to highlight the importance of reaching out to and including this audience…

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    The Unplug Project

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    I’ve spent most of my professional career entangled in the endless loop of emails, social media notifications, and digital clutter. Like many others, my life is dominated by screens, leaving me drained and creatively stifled. In the early days of the internet, advocating for the new “Digital Revolution,” I saw an unhealthy trend happening around…

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    Marketing Conversion Rate Optimization Tips for 2024

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Driving traffic to your website is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in transforming these visitors into engaged customers. This is where Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) becomes crucial. CRO is the strategic process of enhancing your website to boost the percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, whether a purchase, subscription or filling out a…

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