SlideShare une entreprise Scribd logo
1  sur  47
Creating a Compelling Brand Story
   and Why You Must Have One

           Mark Campbell
Persuade Teach Amuse Inspire
Bring us together Help us remember
    Allow us imagine and dream
How we make sense of the world
Everyone
loves a
good story!
Stop shouting at
me!
“Marketers are now competing with th
   collective power of consumers.”
Branding & marketing initiatives must
  authentically create shared value
An effective brand
strategy starts with
a thorough
examination of your
brand’s DNA, the
building block that
determines how
your customers see
you and how well
your brand meshes
with their needs.”
     - Sergio Zyman
You are the only
_____that ____.
WHAT    is your category?
HOW     are you different?
WHO     are your customers?
WHERE   are they located?
WHY     are you important?
WHEN    do they need you?
Harley Davidson

The ONLY motorcycle manufacturer that
 makes big, loud motorcycles for macho
 guys (and macho wannabees) who live
 mostly in the United States who want to
   join a tribe of cowboys in an era of
      decreasing personal freedom
Cascada Expediciones

  The ONLY boutique hospitality provider in Chile
   with unmatched expertise to design and operate
dome-style vacation lodges in remote wilderness for
active travelers who seek to experience Patagonia in
 a unique and environmentally conscious manner in
one of the world’s few remaining truly wild places in
 an era of unprecedented environmental challenges
  and increasingly homogenous ‘me too’ packaged
                  vacation product
23




                      Secondary Themes
                              People            Soul                  Fun
                               Guests      More than a job            To stay
      Authentic              Employees
                                             More than a             To work
    What you see is             The         ‘place to stay’
                             community
      who we are                          (Home away from
  Who you are is valued                       home)                         Celebration
                                                                              Milestones
Whimsy                                                                      Special moments
Delight                                                                        Indulgence


     Style
                                                                                 Legacy
      Colors
                                                                                Bill Kimpton
   Architecture         Food              Diversity/
      ‘Fresh’
                      and Wine           individuality          Socially
 (Kimpton Style)                                              responsible
                    Nourishment for       Everyone is
                                           welcome               Values
                     body and soul
                                          Strength in         Commitment
                          Wine hour       differences
24




                        Core Themes
                 People                                 Soul
                                      Haven
 Authentic
                                                                Fun
                  Transformation
                                        Save my day
                                                               Celebration
Whimsy
                 Free to be me
                                       Give to get
                    Enduring bonds                              Legacy
  Style
                                                        Socially
               Food                                   responsible
             and wine              Diversity/
                                 individuality
25


Meta-Story
                    People                 Soul             Fun

                                           Haven
   Authentic
                                                                        Celebration
                    Transformation
                                            Save my day

  Whimsy
                    Free to be me                                          Legacy
                                           Give to get

     Style                Enduring bonds

                 Food                                       Socially
               and wine               Diversity/          responsible
                                    Individuality
                              I belong here…and I’m
                                    better for it
Message Meaning Myth
Three levels of
communication
                    Message
                                       Easily accessible
                  Reasons to act



                    Meaning
                                     Accessible through story,
                    Emotional        symbol, and imagery
                    motivators



                      Myth
                   Timeless and
                  universal truths




                     26
Dramatic Tensions


• Source of emotional
energy
• Conflict & dilemma
that must be resolved
• Choices protagonist
must make
• Not opposites…but
definers
Dramatic Tension


Tourist                   Traveler


  The experience—good or bad—the
memories and transformational change
 that ensue is what travel is all about

     Experience trumps comfort
New
Old



                                   Stay true to you™



Every hotel tells a story™
Mission       Core        Vision
Statement     Themes     Statement


  Meta                      Brand
 Theme                     Promise


Only-ness                    Brand
Statement                    Story


   Value      Elevator   Personality
Proposition     Pitch    Attributes
Aim higher!

  • A brand can only stand for
    one compelling, radical
    differentiating selling idea
  • Don’t be clever or complex
  • Simple, obvious idea that
    elevates & differentiates your
    brand to a new meaning
    people really care about
• Customers no longer
separate marketing from the
product—it is the product

• Customers don’t separate
marketing from their on-site
or online experience—it is
the experience

• In the engagement era,
marketing is the company
Winning Brands…
Attract
prospects
New customers
Create indelible bonds
Raving fans
Extend & expand your story
Key people talk about you
Trusted authority
Your brand story…
• Gives meaning to who you are and what you do.
• Unites your employees with a common purpose
  and connects them with customers they serve.
• Communicates what you stand for, what you
  promise, and what your customers experience.
• Foundation of fundamental business decisions.
• At the heart of all your marketing.
• Creates powerful emotional bonds that turns
  customers and employees into brand advocates.
The End

Contenu connexe

En vedette

7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling
7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling
7 Basic Themes Of Brand StorytellingAgus Iskandar
 
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand Journey
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand JourneyBrand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand Journey
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand JourneyKim Donlan
 
Building your brand and brand story
Building your brand and brand storyBuilding your brand and brand story
Building your brand and brand storyMarie Still
 
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim Garst
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim GarstHow to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim Garst
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim GarstY'all Connect
 
Visual merchandising.pptpdf
Visual merchandising.pptpdfVisual merchandising.pptpdf
Visual merchandising.pptpdfoliviallagostera
 
Telling your story presentation (with notes)
Telling your story presentation (with notes)Telling your story presentation (with notes)
Telling your story presentation (with notes)jbrown935
 
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed Symposium
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed SymposiumBrand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed Symposium
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed SymposiumJoshua Dodson
 
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction Design
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction DesignDie zehn Gebote des Interaction Design
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction DesignStefan Nitzsche
 
Product Management & Design At Startups
Product Management & Design At StartupsProduct Management & Design At Startups
Product Management & Design At StartupsDan Olsen
 
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...Headstream
 
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social media
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social mediaIntelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social media
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social mediaIoana Barbu
 
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital TransformationMorgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation1508 A/S
 
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]Headstream
 
The power of brand storytelling [research]
The power of brand storytelling [research]The power of brand storytelling [research]
The power of brand storytelling [research]Headstream
 
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your Muse
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your MuseStorytelling for Social Media: Finding Your Muse
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your MuseWahine Media
 
Telling Your Brand's Story
Telling Your Brand's StoryTelling Your Brand's Story
Telling Your Brand's StoryJen Begeal
 
Designing Business and Disruptive Services
Designing Business and Disruptive ServicesDesigning Business and Disruptive Services
Designing Business and Disruptive Services1508 A/S
 
Retail merchandising
Retail merchandisingRetail merchandising
Retail merchandisingPrithvi Ghag
 
Value proposition design
Value proposition designValue proposition design
Value proposition design1508 A/S
 

En vedette (20)

7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling
7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling
7 Basic Themes Of Brand Storytelling
 
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand Journey
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand JourneyBrand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand Journey
Brand Storytelling: A Look at the Hero and Brand Journey
 
Building your brand and brand story
Building your brand and brand storyBuilding your brand and brand story
Building your brand and brand story
 
Brand Storytelling
Brand Storytelling Brand Storytelling
Brand Storytelling
 
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim Garst
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim GarstHow to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim Garst
How to Use Social Media to Tell Your Brand Story, by Kim Garst
 
Visual merchandising.pptpdf
Visual merchandising.pptpdfVisual merchandising.pptpdf
Visual merchandising.pptpdf
 
Telling your story presentation (with notes)
Telling your story presentation (with notes)Telling your story presentation (with notes)
Telling your story presentation (with notes)
 
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed Symposium
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed SymposiumBrand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed Symposium
Brand Storytelling for SEO - AMA Higher Ed Symposium
 
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction Design
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction DesignDie zehn Gebote des Interaction Design
Die zehn Gebote des Interaction Design
 
Product Management & Design At Startups
Product Management & Design At StartupsProduct Management & Design At Startups
Product Management & Design At Startups
 
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...
Custom Audiences: The Crown Jewel of Facebook Advertising - Tara West - Brigh...
 
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social media
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social mediaIntelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social media
Intelligent storytelling: How to write good stories for social media
 
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital TransformationMorgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation
Morgenbooster #67 | Sådan Driver du en Digital Transformation
 
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]
Travel brands and brand storytelling [research]
 
The power of brand storytelling [research]
The power of brand storytelling [research]The power of brand storytelling [research]
The power of brand storytelling [research]
 
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your Muse
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your MuseStorytelling for Social Media: Finding Your Muse
Storytelling for Social Media: Finding Your Muse
 
Telling Your Brand's Story
Telling Your Brand's StoryTelling Your Brand's Story
Telling Your Brand's Story
 
Designing Business and Disruptive Services
Designing Business and Disruptive ServicesDesigning Business and Disruptive Services
Designing Business and Disruptive Services
 
Retail merchandising
Retail merchandisingRetail merchandising
Retail merchandising
 
Value proposition design
Value proposition designValue proposition design
Value proposition design
 

Similaire à Creating A Compelling Brand Story

MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve Pinetti
MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve PinettiMENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve Pinetti
MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve PinettiMENGNoCal
 
Skittles: Brand and Consumer Understanding
Skittles: Brand and Consumer UnderstandingSkittles: Brand and Consumer Understanding
Skittles: Brand and Consumer UnderstandingChappy_02
 
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conley
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conleyMuic lecture. experience economy with chip conley
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conleyhawaiiscott
 
Lifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningLifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningstevehand
 
Lifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningLifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningstevehand
 
Niche tourism lecture 5a
Niche tourism  lecture 5aNiche tourism  lecture 5a
Niche tourism lecture 5ahawaiiscott
 
Understanding Generational Diff. 1
Understanding Generational Diff. 1Understanding Generational Diff. 1
Understanding Generational Diff. 1Asherman
 
MCCP Brand Polysensorial Activity
MCCP Brand Polysensorial ActivityMCCP Brand Polysensorial Activity
MCCP Brand Polysensorial ActivityMCCPTrendstream
 
Understanding consumer lp final
Understanding consumer   lp finalUnderstanding consumer   lp final
Understanding consumer lp finalHome!
 
Sentosa island and sentosa brand
Sentosa island and sentosa brandSentosa island and sentosa brand
Sentosa island and sentosa brandMaurice Williams
 
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012Ambrosia white paper mei 2012
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012Henk Terol
 
Change of chinese values across different generations
Change of chinese values across different generationsChange of chinese values across different generations
Change of chinese values across different generationsHorizonKey
 
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, final
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, finalFaithful stewardship -sld 2011, final
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, finalLaurel Amabile
 
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousness
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousnessNarrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousness
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousnessMurray Hunter
 
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...Bisnode Belgium
 
How To Choose Books For Your Children
How To Choose Books For Your ChildrenHow To Choose Books For Your Children
How To Choose Books For Your ChildrenCharles Bayless
 

Similaire à Creating A Compelling Brand Story (20)

MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve Pinetti
MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve PinettiMENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve Pinetti
MENG Northern California Meeting January 29, 2009 featuring Steve Pinetti
 
Skittles: Brand and Consumer Understanding
Skittles: Brand and Consumer UnderstandingSkittles: Brand and Consumer Understanding
Skittles: Brand and Consumer Understanding
 
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conley
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conleyMuic lecture. experience economy with chip conley
Muic lecture. experience economy with chip conley
 
Lifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningLifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginning
 
Lifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginningLifestyle a beginning
Lifestyle a beginning
 
Niche tourism lecture 5a
Niche tourism  lecture 5aNiche tourism  lecture 5a
Niche tourism lecture 5a
 
Understanding Generational Diff. 1
Understanding Generational Diff. 1Understanding Generational Diff. 1
Understanding Generational Diff. 1
 
MCCP Brand Polysensorial Activity
MCCP Brand Polysensorial ActivityMCCP Brand Polysensorial Activity
MCCP Brand Polysensorial Activity
 
Understanding consumer lp final
Understanding consumer   lp finalUnderstanding consumer   lp final
Understanding consumer lp final
 
Sentosa island and sentosa brand
Sentosa island and sentosa brandSentosa island and sentosa brand
Sentosa island and sentosa brand
 
Conversational Capital
Conversational CapitalConversational Capital
Conversational Capital
 
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012Ambrosia white paper mei 2012
Ambrosia white paper mei 2012
 
Change of chinese values across different generations
Change of chinese values across different generationsChange of chinese values across different generations
Change of chinese values across different generations
 
Evaluation question 1
Evaluation question 1Evaluation question 1
Evaluation question 1
 
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, final
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, finalFaithful stewardship -sld 2011, final
Faithful stewardship -sld 2011, final
 
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousness
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousnessNarrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousness
Narrative presentation - how we construct our meaning and consciousness
 
2012-02 CMHA-TB Newsletter
2012-02 CMHA-TB Newsletter2012-02 CMHA-TB Newsletter
2012-02 CMHA-TB Newsletter
 
You Can't Make This Up!
You Can't Make This Up!You Can't Make This Up!
You Can't Make This Up!
 
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...
Marketing Day 2012 : Les seniors et les médias – Christophe Urvoy-Isaac & Cyr...
 
How To Choose Books For Your Children
How To Choose Books For Your ChildrenHow To Choose Books For Your Children
How To Choose Books For Your Children
 

Creating A Compelling Brand Story

  • 1. Creating a Compelling Brand Story and Why You Must Have One Mark Campbell
  • 2.
  • 3. Persuade Teach Amuse Inspire Bring us together Help us remember Allow us imagine and dream
  • 4. How we make sense of the world
  • 6.
  • 7.
  • 9. “Marketers are now competing with th collective power of consumers.”
  • 10. Branding & marketing initiatives must authentically create shared value
  • 11.
  • 12.
  • 13.
  • 14.
  • 15.
  • 16. An effective brand strategy starts with a thorough examination of your brand’s DNA, the building block that determines how your customers see you and how well your brand meshes with their needs.” - Sergio Zyman
  • 17. You are the only _____that ____.
  • 18. WHAT is your category? HOW are you different? WHO are your customers? WHERE are they located? WHY are you important? WHEN do they need you?
  • 19.
  • 20. Harley Davidson The ONLY motorcycle manufacturer that makes big, loud motorcycles for macho guys (and macho wannabees) who live mostly in the United States who want to join a tribe of cowboys in an era of decreasing personal freedom
  • 21.
  • 22. Cascada Expediciones The ONLY boutique hospitality provider in Chile with unmatched expertise to design and operate dome-style vacation lodges in remote wilderness for active travelers who seek to experience Patagonia in a unique and environmentally conscious manner in one of the world’s few remaining truly wild places in an era of unprecedented environmental challenges and increasingly homogenous ‘me too’ packaged vacation product
  • 23. 23 Secondary Themes People Soul Fun Guests More than a job To stay Authentic Employees More than a To work What you see is The ‘place to stay’ community who we are (Home away from Who you are is valued home) Celebration Milestones Whimsy Special moments Delight Indulgence Style Legacy Colors Bill Kimpton Architecture Food Diversity/ ‘Fresh’ and Wine individuality Socially (Kimpton Style) responsible Nourishment for Everyone is welcome Values body and soul Strength in Commitment Wine hour differences
  • 24. 24 Core Themes People Soul Haven Authentic Fun Transformation Save my day Celebration Whimsy Free to be me Give to get Enduring bonds Legacy Style Socially Food responsible and wine Diversity/ individuality
  • 25. 25 Meta-Story People Soul Fun Haven Authentic Celebration Transformation Save my day Whimsy Free to be me Legacy Give to get Style Enduring bonds Food Socially and wine Diversity/ responsible Individuality I belong here…and I’m better for it
  • 26. Message Meaning Myth Three levels of communication Message Easily accessible Reasons to act Meaning Accessible through story, Emotional symbol, and imagery motivators Myth Timeless and universal truths 26
  • 27. Dramatic Tensions • Source of emotional energy • Conflict & dilemma that must be resolved • Choices protagonist must make • Not opposites…but definers
  • 28. Dramatic Tension Tourist Traveler The experience—good or bad—the memories and transformational change that ensue is what travel is all about Experience trumps comfort
  • 29.
  • 30.
  • 31. New Old Stay true to you™ Every hotel tells a story™
  • 32. Mission Core Vision Statement Themes Statement Meta Brand Theme Promise Only-ness Brand Statement Story Value Elevator Personality Proposition Pitch Attributes
  • 33. Aim higher! • A brand can only stand for one compelling, radical differentiating selling idea • Don’t be clever or complex • Simple, obvious idea that elevates & differentiates your brand to a new meaning people really care about
  • 34.
  • 35. • Customers no longer separate marketing from the product—it is the product • Customers don’t separate marketing from their on-site or online experience—it is the experience • In the engagement era, marketing is the company
  • 36.
  • 42. Extend & expand your story
  • 43. Key people talk about you
  • 45. Your brand story… • Gives meaning to who you are and what you do. • Unites your employees with a common purpose and connects them with customers they serve. • Communicates what you stand for, what you promise, and what your customers experience. • Foundation of fundamental business decisions. • At the heart of all your marketing. • Creates powerful emotional bonds that turns customers and employees into brand advocates.
  • 46.

Notes de l'éditeur

  1. Good afternoon. It is terrific to be here with you today and I want to thank Jake Haupert for the opportunity to spend time with you to talk about the importance of creating a compelling brand story and why it is essential you have one. I run Solaia Consulting and I assist small to mid-sized companies who need assistance and solutions with marketing, branding, operations and general management challenges. On some projects, I partner with StoryTellings Consulting, hence the two logos.Think back when we were children. What were the four of the most memorable, powerful and magical words we used to hear usually every day and sometimes many times each day from mom, dad and our teachers? For many of us, it was—or still is if you have children—‘Once upon a time.’
  2. Four words that move you, that transport you to a different time, to a different place.
  3. What do stories do? They persuade. Teach. Amuse. Divert. Inspire. Bring us together. Help us to remember. Allow us imagine and dream.
  4. Stories are how we make sense of the world. And they just might inspire you to think differently and/or to take action.
  5. Storytelling is not something we just happen to do. It is something we virtually have to do if we want to remember anything…the stories we create are the memories we have. From author and blogger Paddy Harrington: “Stories become the source code for who we are and who we want to be.” Bottom line…it’s in our DNA to think and tell stories. There is truth and wisdom in the old saying ‘everyone loves a good story’.
  6. Stories are a priceless culture-shaping tool. They help us to understand how we "fit in" to the larger social order. They are the principal means for transmitting what’s really important to the tribe, the clan, and the community. From stories we learn the very relative notions of ‘good’ and ‘evil’, ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, what is expected and how we must behave.
  7. Flash forward to today and we are being inundated with marketing, media and messages. Truth is, your primary competition is not from other people or companies and who make, sell or do something similar to you. No, your real competition is the extreme clutter and nonstop 24/7 noise of the global digital marketplace.
  8. The number of marketing messages the average person is exposed to every day is now reported to be 3,000 or more, double the number from 45 years ago. At the same time, according to Marty Neumeier, author of Zag and the Brand Gap, our ability to pay attention to marketing messages has not grown at all. Despite a 75% increase in advertising, “evidence shows we’re paying less attention to any given product, message or medium.” Neumeier says, and I agree with him, that for the first time in history, the most powerful barriers to competition are not controlled by companies but by customers who erect mental walls and noise filters to keep out the clutter. Not to mention how most of us are also armed to the teeth with DVR’s, Tivos and the like.
  9. And not just the noise from traditional outbound ‘interrupt-driven’ advertising; more than ever it’s the noise from user generated content via social media that competes for our limited attention span. This quote is from Philip Kotler’s new book, Marketing 3.0 - From Products to Customers to the Human Spirit. His pioneering book, Marketing Management, is the world's most widely used graduate level textbook in marketing.
  10. Command and control is dead. The new rules: you don’t market to customers, you market with them. You invent, they participate. They invent; you consider, improve, produce and distribute. They validate. They adopt. They spread the word. In other words, they co-own your brand with you. If you don’t embrace this emerging paradigm, much of your marketing is almost certain to be dead on arrival.
  11. So how to break through and stand out from the crowd? At the risk of stating the obvious, you must have a compelling brand story. And why is that? Here’s what my colleague and partner Edward Wachtman, co-founder of Storytellings says:  “To be human is to have a story and when you stop and think about it, we think of our lives as a story. Story is the structure that gives meaning and order to our lives. Instead of trying to make sense of the literally millions of independent events that comprise our lives, we intuitively organize them into an orderly sequence of events. We have a past, a sense of where we came from; a middle, who and where we are now; and a future, what we aspire to become. This is essentially the same structure - beginning, middle, end - that makes up a story. 
  12. But simply standing out from the crowd is not enough. You—and by you, I mean your brand—must establish an emotional connection with your customers and you have to be meaningfully differentiated. And you do that with a compelling brand story.  A quick Internet search of companies reveals that many organizations view their Brand Story as a version of their company histories. Interesting as these histories may be—and often they are very compelling—they fail in their primary purpose, which is to emotionally connect people to the brand.
  13. We’re talking about a story that emotionally connects you with each customer, deeply and personally. At its very best and most powerful, your story transcends time, culture, and location because it speaks to those ageless and unchanging truths about the humanexperience—birth, mating and marriage, family, growing up, growing old, kinship, struggling against all odds, death, etc. That’s the story that needs to be told through everything you do. You use your Brand Story to communicate what you stand for, what you promise, and what your customer’s willexperience.
  14. The extraordinary appeal of the world’s most successful brands is based on their mythic qualities – qualities that have moved people to action since the beginning of time, such as self-reliance, freedom, empowerment, belonging, self-discovery. These brands have become storytellers of these myths through relevant modern narratives which resonate with consumers at a deep emotional level. Who are some of the brands that have really great stories…ones that are perceived as authentic, genuine, and true? Here’s but a few that most of us are very familiar with.
  15. But great brand stories don’t just belong to the big guys; here’s a sampling of small to mid-sized companies I think have a great story: Which companies would you add? Think about it…even though there are so many companies now employing some form of storytelling, there just aren’t that many trulymemorable brand stories…how many can you come up with that have truly inspired you, and moved you to act? So despite all the marketplace clutter and noise, there is space for your brand story to be heard, read and embraced.
  16. So how and where to get started? This quote from Sergio Zyman, former chief of marketing at Coca Cola is spot on: “An effective brand strategy starts with a thorough examination of your brand’s DNA, the building block that determines how your customers see you and how well your brand meshes with their needs.”
  17. Great brand stories start with great research. I’ll now show you a few examples of brand story research tools my colleagues and I use. One is what’s known as an “only-ness” or positioning statement. Seems simple enough - You are the ONLY _______ that _______. The only-nessstatement answers “what’s the one thing do we do best that no one else can do like we do?” But beware, this process is a lot harder than it looks! 
  18. Doing this right takes time, creativity and being willing to be brutally honest about who you are…and who you aren’t. When you have your only-ness statement, you set yourself apart…you meaningfully and possibly radically differentiate yourself…you stake your claim in the brand-scape. Here’s two only-ness statements, one from a very familiar brand, the other from one of my clients in Chile.
  19. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Harleyriders are a wildly passionate and active brand tribe.
  20. The Harley only-ness statement is one of the fundamental elements that shapes its brand story, brand promise (which is the pursuit of freedom) and brand personality (which includes such attributes as fierce individuality, free spirited, a bit wild, adventurous). By building their Brand Story, their brand promise and their personality into everything they do, Harley-Davidson has maintained brand loyalty for over 100 years.
  21. This is the EcoCamp Patagonia, owned and operated by Cascada Expediciones in Chile.
  22. For many smallerbrands, their onlyness statement tend to be slightly longer because they occupy a narrower, niche-ier slice of the market.
  23. In doing deep StoryTellings research, the analysis of the stories created by the research participants is analyzed at three levels: message, meaning and myth. The key here is interpreting the stories at the two deeper levels, meaning and myth. Message is top of the mind, conscious and public. It is about facts, brand or corporate identity and attributes; it is rational and logical, with little, if any, emotion. For a travel company, the message level which defines the reasons to act might be expressed as: with 35+ years of experience, trust us to get you to exotic and remote places and back. Meaning is more subjective, more personal and by definition more meaningful. Meaning touches us deeply at an unconscious—or at least subconscious—emotional level and it is much more powerful than message. How does the brand ‘speak to me’ as an individual? What does it say about who I am, what I hope to be? How does it make my efforts more significant? My life more meaningful? In this slide, meaning is summarized as: take the journey of a lifetime. Myth level is archetypal, universal, very powerful, and almost always unconscious; it deals with those ancient and timeless stories—myths—that speak to the fundamental truths of the human condition. We’ve all had the experience of the hairs on the back of our neck tingling when we hear a particular story. This is our natural response to a powerful mythic image. When a brand or company story taps into this level, we feel deeply connected with the brand or the company, we identify with it and want to integrate its story into our personal stories. The result is an almost indestructible emotional bond. In this example myth includes summoning courage, venturing into the unknown, facing ordeals, and reaping the rewards is summarizedas: crossing the threshold or with these physical footsteps I venture beyond a mental boundary.
  24. All great stories involve dramatic tension; it is what makes the story authentic, persuasive and believable. Dramatic tension isthe soul of story. Story is metaphor for life, and to be alive is to be in seemingly perpetual conflict. Without conflict there is no story.Dramatic tensions are: The source of emotional energy in a story. They are the conflict that must be resolved or overcome. They are the choices the protagonist must make; dilemmas to resolve. They are not opposites, but they are definers: night is not the opposite of day, rather we define day in terms of night.
  25. As I’m sure you’d agree, for many adventure and specialty travel & boutique hospitality organizations, there is often a fine line between what constitutes being a traditional tourist and what constitutes being an enlightened and engaged traveler and/or volunteer. And how this is perceived by the customer participant versus the organization may or may not be in alignment which then offers up another layer of tension and/or unmanaged expectations that can have an adverse impact on the brand.
  26. From storytellings based research, we can determine what archetypes a brand embodies: it might be the Guide, the Wizard or Magician, the Earth Mother, the Healer, the Rebel, the Wise Man. Most brands embody more than one archetype. In the case of Kimpton Hotels, the brand personifies the archetypes of the Healer, Rebel and Trickster.
  27. So how did this research translate into new marketing and branding in the real world? This comp reflects the colorful, whimsical, fun, stylish, energetic, round and feminine nature of the Kimpton identity we uncovered from the research. It resulted in re-skinning of the Kimpton web site and a completely new look for virtually all their collateral…everything from elevator signs, to key cards, in-room materials and more.
  28. Here’s the old Kimpton logo…rather dull, corporate and IBM-ish with the dark blue. Note the old tagline; while it uses the word story, the tagline is about the company…not about the guest and why I should stay at a Kimpton. I’m thrilled with the new tagline, as the word true is powerful and staying true refers to not only the physical stay at the hotel, along with staying true to your values by staying at a Kimpton.
  29. The core themes, meta theme and only-ness positioning statement are three of the points of the brand compass exercise I complete for each of my clients. By articulating each point on the brand compass, a company effectively finds its unique true north and before every key business decision is made, the organization can ask itself, “is what we’re about to do in alignment with our brand story?”
  30. Brand managers (who are really brand stewards and curators) must look for new opportunities to grow their brand’s value. One thing is certain – once a consumer’s mind is made up about a brand, it’s next to impossible to change it. One of the worst things that can happen to your brand: consumers no longer care about itbecause it has lost their compelling meaning in the consumer’s mind.
  31. And now you’re ready to do what my colleagues and I call 360 brand story building. You infuse and integrate your brand story into every aspect and function within your organization.
  32. And marketing is now more important than ever. From an article published in the latest edition ofMcKinsey Quarterly. Bottom line…engaging customers today requires commitment from the entire company…everyone is in marketing, like it or not, and needs to be accountable.
  33. When you truly understand your brand story, it all comes together…your marketing, branding and communications is infused with and driven by your brand story. And dare I say it, there are so many happy endings for your organizationfrom having a unique, powerful and emotionally compelling brand story.
  34. You’re positioned to be a winning brand…a brand that
  35. Will attract prospects who otherwise would likely not find you; this is critical if you want to expand the pool of people who you engage with. And think about how many people out there who if they only heard your story would want to engage with you.
  36. You also increase the likelihood that prospects will convert to being a new customer.
  37. You increase the likelihood of creating powerful indelible emotional bonds with your best customers. 
  38. And you increase the likelihood of repeat purchase from customers who become your brand tribe and will tell their story about your brand to others.
  39. You expand your brand and communications footprint as prospects and customers share their storiesabout your brand…both the good and bad.
  40. More people including key influencers, such as bloggers and analysts will be talking about you.
  41. And over time, you become a thought leader and the trusted authority in your specific niche.
  42. Summing up…your brand story: Gives meaning to who you are and what you do. Unites your employees with a common purpose and connects them with the customers they serve. Communicates what you stand for, what you promise, and what your customers experience. Foundation of fundamental business decisions. At the heart of all your marketing. Creates powerful emotional bond that turns customers and employees into brand advocates.
  43. And hopefully you’ll live both happily, profitably (and sustainably!) ever after. To wrap up, I’m sure all of you can guess the final two words to this story about creating your compelling brand story and why you most have one…
  44. Thank you!