Welcome to the MarketingMog Blog
The MarketingMog is my Blog and Twitter alter ego – a marketing ‘agent provocateur’ who is happy to put the cat amongst the pigeons. See my most recent tweets below, or follow me on @marketingmog.
Marketing’s not just dumbed down, it’s in need of some tough love
Great minds think alike. Mark Ritson’s article decrying the dumbing down of our discipline arrived in my inbox just as I was writing this piece. He’s absolutely right. The basics of good [...]
Tipping point?
Back in December 2014, I wrote a blog about the archaic and confusing practice of tipping serving staff in restaurants. I suggested it was time to end the frequent ‘bill shock’ and the lottery [...]
Did the Labour Party deliberately hire an interim?
Since his election, hundreds of articles have been written about Jeremy Corbyn's electability and whether he even wants the top job. But I wonder if the Labour Party, understanding the need for dramatic change after [...]
Deep Fried Crickets and Beetroot Yogurt, Anyone?
One of the things I love most about working with the hospitality sector is their constant drive to innovate. Bars and restaurants are always on the hunt for the Next Big Thing, and even those [...]
To Tip Or Not To Tip? That Is The Question…
A recent survey claimed almost two thirds of Britons were “unwilling” to pay a service charge and many are confused about tipping etiquette. There’s worse news for bartenders, as 98% would never tip for a [...]
Who’s Menu Is It Anyway?
We’re all creatures of habit, apparently, regularly ordering the same coffee, lunchtime sandwich or even dinner at a smart restaurant. But how annoyed would you be if your favourite item wasn’t available anymore? Would you [...]
PR and Marketing. Time to Bury the Hatchet.
The November issue of Business MK featured a piece by the owner of a PR firm which was entitled “Good Cop, Bad Cop: Why PR and Marketing Must be Kept Distinct”. It so exasperated me, [...]
Good News! There Are Only 3 Golden Rules for Pitching*
* But both sides must follow them... I was writing a follow-up to my Top Tips for Chemistry Meetings piece, talking to agency directors about New Business and their frustrations with the pitch process, when, [...]
Time for a New Way of Working? (Part Two)
Back in 2011, I wrote about how I thought The Apprentice was really missing a trick. A golden opportunity to showcase all that’s great about teamwork and entrepreneurship replaced by a focus on bitching, back-stabbing [...]
Time for a New Way of Working? (Part One)
A blue skies, out of the box, brainstorm, yesterday. A recent house move prompted a long overdue clear out of my office. Leafing through a folder of old team ‘training’ documents from my [...]
It’s The Summer Holidays! Where Are We Going?
Now here’s a funny story. Recently, I was discussing a brand strategy project with a client and one of their (non-marketing) board members - who wasn’t directly involved in the project. As I outlined how [...]
Want Great Restaurant Service? Then Pay Attention!
I just read a fascinating piece about a New York restaurant, whose owners couldn't understand why they kept getting such bad online reviews. The food wasn't a problem, but clearly the service was - how [...]