Z-Files

One of the most fascinating examples of a brand doing social media right is the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (https://twitter.com/neorsd) – the people who run the sewer system in…

Thanks to OZ Insight Manager Randy Rossi for sharing some insight into a wedding ring brand called Manly Bands.You can get a feel for the brand’s ethos from this video, which is…

Is it possible for a humble highlighter to become culturally relevant?In 2018 (and again in 2021 and 2022), Stabilo, a brand of highlighters, broke through with a campaign called “Highlighting…

Unsplash/Dragos Gontariu Does the term “creative,” as a noun, irritate you as much as it does us? It strikes us as obnoxious as when on-air people in broadcasting are referred…

Although online shopping has taken over retail in many ways, brick-and-mortar is still huge – projected to account for 72 percent of all sales in 2024.  Moreover, brick-and-mortar provides an…

Unsplash / Anthony Intraversato The Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) has issued a new report about the effectiveness of cause marketing – when brands take a public stand on ESG or DEI issues.…

I stumbled on an interesting discussion about Flintstones Vitamins – and how this brand, which is based on a TV show that hasn’t produced a new episode since 1966, remains the best-selling…

Element 5 / Unsplash One for the hard-core research nerds – in Ohio this week, voters said “no” to a ballot initiative that would have raised the threshold for successful…

We had an internal discussion at OZ last week about restaurants that deliberately treat patrons “badly,” which reminded us of a recent Under the Influence podcast episode about antihero brands. It was inspired…

Barbie opens in theaters this weekend. The build-up for the movie represents something increasingly rare – what one expert calls a “ubiquitous cultural moment.”Barbie is everywhere.  The movie reportedly is supported by…

Thanks to Jerry Olson for sharing this Fast Company column about the movie Air, which focuses on how Nike made Michael Jordan a metaphor.Nike created “airbag” technology for its shoes…

In his Consumer Behavior Lab podcast, Richard Shotton discusses the magic of Grey Goose Vodka.Vodka in its rawest form is almost an anti-sensory experience, lacking in color, flavor, or smell.  As…