Thoughts

Random Things I Think About

  • All
  • Thoughts
  • Branding
  • Photography
  • Critique
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,…

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…

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…

Why I Love Conspiracy Theories (Even If I Don’t Believe Them)
1024 576 Michael Kraabel

Let me start by saying this: I don’t actually believe most conspiracy theories. That’s not what draws me in. What I find fascinating about them…

The Story Behind My Favorite Photo: Mia Gonzalez and the Power of 3D Printing
1024 683 Michael Kraabel

Sometimes, a photo becomes more than just an image—it becomes a story, a moment of triumph, and a symbol of what’s possible when technology and…

Building AVIV Vodka: A Decade of Purpose and Partnership
1024 576 Michael Kraabel

A little over a decade ago, I began working on AVIV 613 Vodka. At the time, it wasn’t clear what the journey would look like,…

Jaguar Rebrand: Still Angry, But At Least I’m Not Alone
1024 576 Michael Kraabel

After spending the night tossing and turning over Jaguar’s new branding campaign, I did what any frustrated car lover would do: I dove into the…

Jaguar: What Was the Brief?!
1024 638 Michael Kraabel

As a creative director—and a long-time Jaguar owner—I can’t help but ask: What was the brief that led to this campaign? Seriously, I’m baffled. Automobile…

The Power of “We” in Presenting Creative Work
1024 576 Michael Kraabel

Presenting creative work is a collaborative team effort. Presenting from the “We” approach not only ensures that clients understand the breadth and depth of contributions…

My Mind-Blowing Experience with ChatGPT’s New Voice Model
1024 576 Michael Kraabel

I’ve always been intrigued by AI, especially the growing capabilities of language models like ChatGPT. They’ve been fun to play around with, helpful at times,…