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Marketing, Branding & Social Media


Are You Building a Brand, or Just Running a Perpetual Sales Campaign?
I've been very fortunate over the years. I have had the privilege of sitting in boardrooms, coffee shops, and video calls with numerous founders, CEOs and senior leaders across many countries. Many of them often say “Our brand is our most important asset.” And we all nod in agreement. It feels good to say that. It’s the right thing to say. But then I look at their brand activity. And I see marketing calendars dictated entirely by monthly sales targets. I see social media feed

Ali Syed
Jul 17, 20252 min read


Marketing: The Red Bull Way!
Red Bull is known for its unique and aggressive marketing approach that has helped it become one of the world's most popular energy drinks. Over the years, the company's marketing strategy has evolved to keep up with changing markets and consumer preferences. Initially, Red Bull's marketing strategy focused on promoting a high-energy lifestyle and sponsoring extreme sports and events. The company also relied heavily on guerrilla marketing tactics, such as handing out free can

Ali Syed
Apr 6, 20252 min read


Fostering Creativity and Innovation in Emerging Markets: A Blueprint for Progress
In the landscape of the global economy, the key to sustained growth and prosperity lies in fostering creativity and innovation. While this holds true for developed nations, it is arguably even more critical for emerging markets like Cambodia, where the untapped potential for innovation is immense. To harness this potential and drive progress, governments must embark on a transformative journey, restructuring their education systems, incentivizing innovation, and fortifying in

Ali Syed
Apr 18, 20243 min read


Optimizing Your Brand's Social Media Presence: Choosing the Right Platforms
Social media has become an integral component of every brand's marketing strategy. The vast majority of businesses understand the importance of establishing an online presence, but many often overlook the necessity of choosing the right platforms for their brand. Understanding what your brand stands for is, of course, fundamental. However, the step that follows - identifying the appropriate social media platforms that align with your brand's essence and audience - is equally

Ali Syed
Jan 7, 20243 min read


Why Outsourcing Marketing, Advertising, and Social Media Roles is a Smart Move for Companies
I see it very commonly, now. In today's business environment, many companies opt for internal teams to handle the responsibilities of marketing, advertising and social media; however, there's a compelling case to be made for outsourcing these roles to specialized agencies. From what I have understood, companies opt for these roles in the interest of cutting costs and having, what they call, dedicated roles. But, I think there are some very good reasons why these roles should

Ali Syed
Oct 2, 20233 min read


The Digital Dilemma: An Old-School Marketer’s Unsuccessful Foray into TikTok
If you told my younger self, back when I was starting out in marketing in the pre-digital era, that one day I would be attempting to entertain myself and connect with others through 60-second videos on a platform called ‘TikTok’, I might have laughed. Yet, here I am, a seasoned marketer, deep into the digital age, who promotes the usage of apps like TikTok for brands and influencers, but finds it ‘mind-numbingly stupid’ for personal use. Here’s my story. The Dive into TikTok:

Ali Syed
Jul 29, 20232 min read


Why You Can't Own AI-Generated Content
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to an increase in AI-generated content, including images, art, music, and written text. However, the question of ownership and copyright protection for such content remains a complex and contentious issue. Let's explore the reasons why you can't own AI-generated content and provide examples to illustrate the challenges involved. Copyright Laws and AI-Generated Content Copyright laws are designed to protect the intellectual prop

Ali Syed
Jul 9, 20232 min read


A Curious Fascination: Why People Watch Cringe-Worthy Content on TikTok
TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform that captivates millions of users worldwide. While it hosts a myriad of entertaining and creative content, there is a curious fascination surrounding cringe-worthy videos that seem to defy logic. Why do people willingly subject themselves to content that induces discomfort or second-hand embarrassment? 1. Emotional Resonance and Catharsis One possible explanation for the popularity of cringe content lies in the human tendency to seek

Ali Syed
Jun 15, 20232 min read


The psychology of content
Ineffective positioning of content can hold back the success of your communications and campaigns. To cut through the noise you’re told to empathize with your customers instead of advertising your products and services. But that seems a bit counterintuitive, right?! Not really, when you think about the psychology driving human behavior. Empathy plays a large role in content marketing, and today, you can use social data and the science of psychology to create content that conn

Ali Syed
Nov 18, 202214 min read


What in the world are marketing funnels?
Marketers who cannot visualize things clearly will find their marketing strategies ineffective. As a result, having a framework is critical if you want better to understand the various marketing journey stages and customers. Creating a marketing funnel will assist you in visualizing your strategies and aid in developing a successful campaign. But what exactly is a marketing funnel, and why should you care? For now, let’s focus on the marketing funnel and how you can apply it

Ali Syed
Jul 10, 20205 min read
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