Book Review: How To Write An Inspired Creative Brief by Howard Ibach

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Written by Howard Ibach

Written by Howard Ibach

The Creative Brief – the most important document in an agency and marketing department but who taught you how to write one? It’s not like we are taught how to write one in college or university. If you were like me when I first started in the industry, you saw one from your Supervisor or Manager and just tried to copy it. I’ve seen many briefs, written many briefs and wondered if there was a book that taught people how to write a really good one. In my quest, I asked many people and did many Google searches and stumbled upon one that I’d like to share with you. Continue reading →

31 Things I’ve Learned About Business and Life

Posted on by under Leadership & Professional Development

Today I turn 31 years of age. Over the last couple of weeks a lot of significant life altering events have occurred in my life that have caused me to pause and reflect. I have learned so much in my short time on this planet in life and in business and I would love to share it with you so that it can teach, inspire and motivate you. So here goes: Continue reading →

Who are you not to achieve greatness? Overcome self-doubt.

Posted on by under Leadership & Professional Development

Self-doubt – the most paralyzing feeling and crippling roadblock within your career. Self-doubt is something that everyone experiences whether it be when you are just starting out in your career, whether you are 8 years in or even if you have 20 years of experience. It can either hold you back for the rest of your career or be your greatest achievement when you overcome it.  Continue reading →

The Future of Marketing

Posted on by under Marketing

Marketing Summit

A couple of weeks ago I participated in my first panel as part of the University of Toronto’s Rotman Commerce Marketing Association’s 2013 Marketing Summit. It was a great experience and I enjoyed engaging with the students and my fellow panelists.

The topic was ‘The Future of Marketing’. This seems to be a very popular topic. The Canadian Marketing Association is holding their national convention in June of the same title. Why so much intrigue in this subject and why is it so important for us to know? I believe it is because things are changing so fast and the speed of technology is causing so much chaos that it leaves most marketers throwing their hands in the air saying, “What do I do now?” Continue reading →

Book Review: Ctrl Alt Delete by Mitch Joel

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Ctrl Alt Delete

In the revolutionary 1999 movie, The Matrix, a character by the name of Morpheus gives the protagonist Neo a choice of either waking up and seeing the truth of the world around him, or remaining asleep and accepting what is. He tells Neo, “This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember all I am offering is the truth, nothing more.”  When you pick up Ctrl Alt Delete by Mitch Joel, you are taking the ‘red pill’ so be ready to have your eyes opened and allow Mitch to take you deep down the rabbit hole. It truly is a rush. Continue reading →

What do you think is the ‘Future of Marketing’?

Posted on by under Marketing


Marketing Summit

This Saturday, March 16, the University of Toronto Rotman Commerce Marketing Association is holding their annual Marketing Summit that unites all marketers together to connect, share, and discuss the world of marketing.

The theme this year is on “The Future of Marketing” and I will be part of a panel that will be discussing this. The panel will be moderated by Delaine Hampton and will consist of the following people:

Sara N-Marandi, Account Manager (Digital) @ Google

James Connell, VP Ecommerce & Marketing @ Roots Canada

Stephen Henrik, Manger of Digital Products @ The Globe and Mail

This topic is something I’ve definitely been thinking about a lot lately and rather than struggling to answer this question, I am struggling with focusing on just a few key points I’d like to make. I’ve received a lot of feedback from colleagues, former colleagues and friends but would love to hear what you have to say about it.

Please leave me a comment and if you have time on Saturday, check out the Marketing Summit as it is not just for Rotman students, but for all marketers. It is being held at the Toronto Marriott in the Bloor Yorkville area from 8:30am-5:30pm.

NEVER.STOP.LEARNING.

Posted on by under Marketing

Learning is a never ending journey, especially when it comes to a profession like marketing. One of the most significant pieces of advice I give to up-and-coming marketers is, ‘Invest in your professional development every year.’

So many people get wrapped up in their daily work that they forget to read a book, listen to a podcast, attend a workshop, take a course or even scan the internet for great articles. There are times when I look at thought leaders like Seth Godin, Amber Mac and Mitch Joel and ask myself, how did they become thought leaders? How do they know so much? The answer is, their thirst for knowledge, wisdom and the quest to learn something new everyday are the keys to their success.

Don’t have the time you may say. In today’s ever changing world of marketing, I don’t think you can afford not to.

Once you believe you know it all, you lose. The moment you accept that learning is a life long journey that takes hard work, you give yourself the potential and opportunity to achieve greatness.

Book Review: The Art of the Pitch by Peter Coughter

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The Art of the PitchIn his book ‘The Art of the Pitch: Persuasion and Presentation Skills that Win Business’, Peter Coughter states that “Everything is a presentation” and how true those words really are. When you pick up this book, you will not put it down and when you finally do, you will want more. Peter takes a no nonsense approach when he speaks about the art of presenting and as soon as you start on page one, you are in his class and class is certainly in session. Continue reading →