I have always preached that brands need to be customer-centric. It's about the customer's needs, problems, goals, and aspirations.

More than ever, marketers need to focus on how they can help their customers. Marketing needs to be empathetic and supportive. When COVID-19 has passed, brands focused on their customers will have stronger and better relationships. Brands that came across as opportunistic are doomed.

Please, stay at home. Practice social distancing. And be good to each other.

Mark

P.S. If you have recommendations about good movies, TV series, boardgames, online games, etc., send them along and I'll share them next week.

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A New Approach To Marketing Communications

Although this article was written for the financial services industry, it has excellent advice and insight for marketers looking to connect with customers.

Brands Getting it Right

While some companies struggle to position themselves correctly, there are brands doing the right things for their customers and employees.

Marketing in a Long-Term Crisis Situation

We all hope the battle against COVID-19 happens soon, but what if it doesn't? Robert Kira looks at how brands should operate and where they should focus - e.g. e-commerce, addressing technology shortfalls

A Different Approach to Marketing

Mark Ritson has a different take on marketing during COVID-19. He says to forget about empathy. Instead, it's time for brands to make money. Marketers need to go back to the basics - product, price, and distribution - win the day.

How to Separate "Work" from "Home"

Working from home is the new reality for many people. Glenn Fleishman has some great advice on how to make work and home don't blend into each other.

Interesting

24 Ways to Make Pancakes

In my house, meals have become a focal point for our daily activities. Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, here are two dozen ways to put a different spin on pancakes.

The Story Behind Netflix's Hot, New Series

Tiger King is a new docu-series that has attracted a huge audience. The Guardian's Adrian Horton looks at the five-year "odyssey" that film-maker Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin took to develop the seven-part series.

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I started this newsletter a few years ago. I read a lot of content online and wanted to share the good stuff, other than using Twitter. I curate from multiple sources around marketing and sales, as well as articles that seem interesting or different. Please share it with anyone who loves good content. You can subscribe here.

My book, Marketing Spark, is a how-to guide. It's a book that sits on your desk, not on a bookshelf. There are strategic and tactical advice, worksheets, and lists of tools. It is a marketing playbook. Buy it on Amazon