Ekaterina Walter

Bob Cooney is the Prime Leader in Immersive Experience XR Metaverse Studios follows him at bobcooney.com Join Bob as he addresses Metaverse/Immersive Experience skepticism, illustrating it as an unstoppable force in shaping our future. He explores human resistance to new realities and emphasizes the Metaverse/Immersive Experience as an extension of human experience. #metaverse #vr #xr #virtualreality #gaming #spatialcomputing

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"Purpose is dead. Long live purpose!" Two or so weeks ago, I had a thought-provoking conversation with Ken Beaulieu, head of the Association of National Advertisers' Center for Brand Purpose, about whether marketers are truly moving on from purpose or if it's simply evolving into something more profound. Ken shared research he conducted this past Spring with Internationalist Insights and was curious to learn my take on what it said about the evolving role of purpose in today's complex landscape. Some key topline insights I shared with Ken include: 🔍 Purpose: Evolving, Not Fading Despite sentiment among some marketers that purpose is "one and done," the ANA-Internationalist research reveals that purpose is very much alive and evolving. While 85% of marketers acknowledge that insubstantial purpose can harm a company, a strong brand purpose remains a “North Star” for organizational alignment and impact. 🔗 Beyond Marketing: A Holistic Commitment Purpose is maturing into what it is meant to be: much more than a marketing strategy. It's a company-wide effort transcending PR tactics, one that requires the commitment of the entire organization, from the C-suite to front-line employees to ensure it is embedded into brand DNA and business operations. 💡 Five Guidelines for Embracing Purpose: 1. Align Purpose with Organizational Goals: Purpose is most effective as a driver of decision-making and operations, not a stand-alone initiative or after-thought. 2. Communicate Authentically: Sincere messaging, backed by tangible actions, is crucial for resonating with all material stakeholders. Empower Stakeholders as Advocates: Engaged communities amplify brand reach and grow impact. 3. Cultivate an Ethical Supply Chain Across Sectors: Partnering with nonprofits and maintaining responsible practices enhance the honesty of purpose. 4. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Purpose is an ongoing tool for risk management and innovation. When activated effectively, purpose serves as a strategic compass for modern brands, guiding them to navigate today's shifting social landscape more fluidly. Embedding purpose in a brand’s DNA and business operations cultivates genuine engagement, enhances social impact, and drives profitable growth. For more in-depth insights, read my full article on the ANA's Industry Insights blog. (https://lnkd.in/eX7uGgcR) What do you think about purpose in today's landscape? Is it one and done or is its role evolving? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #Purpose #MarketingStrategy #Growth #Performance #CorporateResponsibility #SustainableBusiness #SocialImpact #BrandCitizenship #DoGood

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The perfect conference - the 11 ingredients that are essential: 1. ***Strong editorial focus***: a clear theme or purpose that resonates with a specific audience, avoiding generic topics. It needs to challenge attendees with fresh ideas and perspectives. 2. ***High-caliber speakers***: this is not about celebrities or overhyped figures with little substance but thoughtful, well-spoken individuals who bring unique expertise.  They need to be able to deliver a compelling narrative or actionable insights. 3. ***Engaged audience***: a perfect conference has a knowledgeable and curious audience, who are as much a part of the conversation as the speakers. It’s about fostering dialogue and exchange rather than one-way communication. 4. ***Impeccable venue***: the location should be comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and functional, offering natural light, good acoustics, and a layout that encourages interaction. The setting reflects the conference’s ambition and quality. 5. ***Exceptional food and hospitality***: offer high-quality, thoughtfully curated meals, snacks, and coffee. The food should reflect local flavours, be fresh, impart a sense of place. It's a chance to extend the experience and build connections informally. 6. ***Efficient time management***: stick to a well-planned schedule that is run as tightly as a well-produced TV or radio show. No one should feel rushed, but equally, sessions shouldn’t overrun or leave attendees with downtime.   7. ***Diverse formats***: keep energy levels high and attention focused. A blend of formats helps maintain engagement and stimulate different forms of learning.   8. ***Networking opportunities***: provide structured and informal opportunities for delegates to meet and exchange ideas. Networking is crucial, so creating spaces and moments for meaningful connections is key. 9. ***Curated attendee list***: an ideal conference doesn’t just sell tickets to anyone. The participants should be carefully chosen to align with the event’s focus, fostering a high level of conversation and interaction. 10. ***Memorable takeaways***: whether it’s a well-designed conference booklet, access to digital resources, or thought-provoking insights, attendees should leave with something valuable—mentally and physically. 11. ***Be a good host***: don’t outsource the essential role of host.  To enjoy high-quality content, impeccable organisation and attention to detail, do give the Monocle Quality of Life conference a go. Extend your summer and join Monocle’s editors in Istanbul 10-12 October 2024. There are still a few tickets left. It’s a conference experience that inspires, educates and connects. #Conference #QualityOfLife #Leadership #Networking

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Good article on the value of original quality content and risks of GenAI’s generics & distortions today when AI volume is everywhere online. The image simulation is cool example!

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Super important read from our insights and analytics team Message Lab:

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The @PageSociety just released its newest report Beyond Communication: CCO Leadership in Navigating New Complexity. The findings underscore the CCO as an ever-more-essential partner with the CEO in defining and activating corporate character. Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02x4nPQ0

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🥳 Today I was named to the Qwoted Top 100 PRs for Q3 2024. The list is based on how quickly you respond to reporters, the number of positive interactions and conversations and hit rate of pitches to replies from media on the platform. I was nowhere near the top of the 100 - and I'm not surprised. My mostly B2B and technology clients are only relevant to a small portion of Qwoted opportunities. It's a small part of my overall approach to media outreach. Frankly, I was shocked to be listed at all. There are 135,000 users on Qwoted. It seems impossible that *I* and my super niche clients are pitching more often than 99% of other users. So tell me: why are 134,900 PR people letting opportunities simply pass them by every day? I'm having multiple conversations a month with tech companies who are paying hefty five-figure monthly retainers to PR agencies and consultants who don't bring them new ideas and opportunities, who aren't proactive and who don't land any media coverage. I would venture to guess that many of these agencies don't even know what Qwoted is, let alone pay the extremely reasonable sum for a subscription. Today's media landscape is tougher than ever, I won't deny that. But why are so many PR people ignoring opportunities that are right in front of them? 🤯

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Great media interviews can mean the difference between a book that flies off the shelves and one that languishes in obscurity. We work closely with authors to develop message points that resonate with readers and that position the book for maximum media exposure. Learn more at www.wesmanpr.com. #bookpromotion #bookmarketing #authors #bookpublishing #messagepoints #mediainterviews

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Fonts Matter. Typographic triumphs and tribulations. Ryan Gosling, I feel your passion + pain. In a world where every letter dances to its own beat, fonts emerge as an unsung hero of communication. Enter the realm of font choices, where serifs and sans-serifs engage in an eternal battle for supremacy. In a typographic circus, every choice matters. So, the next time you're tempted to overlook the importance of typography, remember: fonts matter, and your words deserve to be dressed to impress. Choose wisely, friends. Your brand will thank you. Favorite font? Share ‘em 👇 #fonts #typography #design #branding #graphicdesign #brandchoices #creative #creativedirection #saturdaynightlive #brand

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If given just 5 seconds to decide where I’d most like to be professionally for the balance of my (paid) career, it would be leading “brand design and rebranding.” This article from Zachary Petit at Fast Company expands the scope of how we might apply design to rebranding in culture-changing ways, starting with a redesign of society (easy peasy). What would YOU add to this list of redesigns that could change the world? #possibilities #design #brandinnovation

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AI hasn't changed *the purpose* of storytelling. Just the rules and tools. Now that creating copy is wicked easy, #water industry companies have to choose their words more wisely than ever to stand out. I told Suzan Marie Chin-Taylor this back in 2023 and I'm still saying it. You can treat ChatGPT and other LLMs as an easy button. But your competitors who incorporate AI into all things marketing and sales will outperform you. Great convo with Creative Raven on the Doo Doo Diva pod. If you haven't tuned in yet, Suzan is prolific! She's spoken to people from all facets of the industry on every topic imaginable. Check it out wherever you pod. #AI #marketing #copywriting

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CALIFORNIA

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I love this break down of steps for social media success. The important part is making sure that each of these Cs is included in your planning and day-to-day execution. Many times brands just want to focus on one or two of these and end up missing growth opportunities. Thanks for sharing, Sal Pizzo!

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WA VOTERS- YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Vote NO on Initiative 2117: Protecting Our Climate Commitment Initiative 2117 threatens to roll back crucial protections for our air, water, forests, and farmlands. This initiative would undermine the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a vital piece of legislation that holds the biggest polluters accountable by requiring them to pay for the environmental impact of their activities. The CCA currently generates $3.8 billion every two years for climate initiatives in Washington state, $10 million of which is directed towards climate-smart agriculture. PCC will advocate for growing CCA funding directed toward agriculture in the upcoming legislative session. At PCC, we believe in the power of organic and regenerative farming to mitigate climate change and promote environmental health. Rolling back the CCA would shift the financial burden of pollution onto communities, workers, and families, rather than holding polluters accountable. By voting NO on Initiative 2117, we can stand up for stronger climate action and advocate for increased investment in sustainable agriculture.   Vote NO on Initiative 2066: Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy Initiative 2066 would roll back Washington’s efforts to transition to clean energy in new buildings and threaten programs that help Washingtonians living on lower incomes access money saving clean energy appliances. This ballot initiative undermines the state’s transition away from natural gas. Defeating this initiative is critical for a long-term strategy to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a sustainable future. By voting NO on Initiative 2066, you’re supporting the shift towards clean energy, lower energy costs, improved air quality and helping to ensure that new buildings in Washington are constructed with the future in mind—one that’s free from the harmful impacts of natural gas. #teampcc #cooperative

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Your career isn’t a straight line. Got something that piques your curiosity? Follow it. That’s where real growth happens—in places you never thought you’d go. I discussed this and more with the former VP Global Marketing at Micron Technology and Intel Corporation Allyson Klein on a recent Narrow Lanes episode. #CareerGrowth #CuriosityDriven #NarrowLanesPodcast #CareerPath

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State of play: A recent Memo report found that 56% of CCOs are reporting to the CEO — an increase of 34 percentage points since last year. I loved seeing insights like that in Eleanor Hawkins's Axios Communicators Newsletter this week. It's a topic that is becoming increasingly important as the look of C-Suites continues to change each year. A separate report by the Observatory of Corporate Reputation found that CCO+ roles have increased by roughly 88% within the Fortune 1000 since 2019, outnumbering traditional CCO roles for the first time. I have been a long-time advocate of the CCO reporting to the CEO, indicating the importance of the role as well as its differentiating the position from the CMO which is complimentary but has a different lens to the brand. This hasn't historically been the case but I love to see this shift and its continued trend upwards! https://lnkd.in/gwEeuKxu

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Happy Earth Day! 🌎 While today is a day to celebrate the majesty and gifts of our planet, it's also a day to help preserve it. This year's theme from EARTHDAY.ORG is Planet vs. Plastics. Organizers are calling for a 60% reduction in plastic production globally by the end of 2040 and a plastic-free future for generations to come. Consider this: Plastics account for 85 percent of marine litter. The best way to handle plastics isn't to recycle it. It's to avoid making it in the first place. What can you do? -Pause before you accept... the plastic bag/cup/container. Demand=more production -Sign the Global Plastics Treaty (link below) - Numbers do matter -Learn and grow - Examine your daily behaviors and see where you can improve. Every action matters. Around 1 billion people take part in Earth Day activities around the world every year. How can you help? #EarthDay #EarthDay2024

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Ok, I ran a correlational meta analysis that looks at the coorelation between time spent in meetings and productivity. I’ll first stay that in my personal opinion… it really comes HOW not how long meetings run. Be creative.Sometimes that means taking a walk, other times it may mean brining the team together to focues on solving a specific problem. The point is, not all meeting have feel the same. Now to the research: “Research shows that while meetings can foster accountability, too many lead to stress and lower productivity. Studies highlight that frequent, poorly managed meetings disrupt focus and deep work. CIPD's 2023 review notes that a moderate amount of structured meetings can improve outcomes, but excessive time spent in them tends to reduce output. The balance is key: clear goals and strategic use of meetings help teams stay efficient.” #Leadership, #Productivity, #Business, #Success, #Entrepreneurship, #Innovation, #Motivation, #Growth, #WorkplaceEfficiency, #DeepWork, #MeetingCulture, #FocusAndFlow, #StrategicMeetings, #TeamProductivity, #LeadershipMindset, #WorkplaceStrategy.

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