1) The latest Packaged Facts report on the U.S. Men’s Market finds that there is a significant, if minority, segment of men who: "…place a premium on staying fit and looking good and following fashion. Rather than viewing shopping as a necessary chore, they enjoy shopping as … Read on >
This just in: Lululemon, a yoga/fitness-wear maker with much marketing savvy and that I, for one, have been going ga-ga overfor a few years (even though it is not inexpensive), has been caught in a contradiction. This is something that could happen to any brand, but this news is worth … Read on >
Mike Martin, a regular (and very good) commentator for the local public radio station, brought up an interesting point in his piece this morning, in that it just may have taken Al Gore’s Nobel Prize to make an environmental stance a masculine pursuit. No longer about simply "cleaning … Read on >
One of the benefits of living in a teeny state with many colleges is that there are often a lot of interesting people speaking or talented artists singing at places … Read on >
1) A pink and girly “boutique” version of Monopoly recently got some attention on the Popgadget blog. Well, this is exactly what all girls and women have been waiting for. It makes the game so much more, hmm.. engaging. As Jenn wrote: “…the thimble, … Read on >
1) The women of the blogosphere continue to drive SMART© certified sustainable standards for consumer products, and the corporations are starting to listen. Check out Mary Hunt’s post on the latest: This situation reminds me of a quote attributed to Nancy Reagan: … Read on >
1) PME Enterprises, founder of the M2W and M2Moms conferences have entered the green space! Their first annual Good and Green Conference will be held in Chicago, November 29th and 30th. If you need insights on how to integrate environmental awareness/sustainability throughout your brand so that consumers … Read on >
After much to-do about delivering talk radio in a woman’s way, GreenStone Media, the high profile radio network founded by Susan Ness and backed by the likes of Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem, has apparently folded.* I got the word from a friend in radio, but the Radio … Read on >
1) The June issue of Fast Company includes a great article by Polly LaBarre (reg. required) on Nau - a new enviro-friendly, outdoor/lifestyle apparel company that is choosing to do business in a very socially responsible way. A few of the many things that struck me: a) their pledge … Read on >
The She Spot: Why Women Are the Market for Changing the World -- And How to Reach Them (BK Business)
by Lisa Witter and Lisa Chen
Social change driven by women - how much more hopeful about our world could you get? This book is well-written, and its nonprofit advice also applies, for the most part, to corporate marketing.
Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow
by Chip Conley
I'm a big psychology buff, so this application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to the business realm fascinated (and resonated) with me. As Conley mentions, psychology in business has long been about "fixing it," but that won't necessarily "offer the opportunity for transformation to a more optimal state of being or productivity." Everyone can learn from this discussion.
The Sexual Paradox: Men, Women and the Real Gender Gap
by Susan Pinker
A fascinating examination of how sex differences play out over the life span. One interesting quote: "For most women it's less a question of who's able to win. It's whether competing feels good and is worth the cost."
Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes
by Katya Andresen
Andresen writes that causes can learn from traditional marketers, but after reading this, I'd argue that traditional marketers can learn from the causes profiled. An interview with Andresen is included in my eBook, 9 Minds On Marketing.
You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation
by Deborah Tannen
Men have a more asymmetrical, positioning approach to communication, while women have a more symmetrical, connecting approach. This is a classic worth revisiting frequently.
