industry Insights

Explore the ideas that are defining our culture, our perspectives and our world.

Regeneration Isn’t Just Ecological – It’s Relational

Regenerative projects often fail not from lack of passion, but from neglecting relational human systems beneath their ecological visions – urgency, power dynamics, conflict avoidance and burnout that erode even strong values. This blog explores regeneration as relational practice in communication, decision-making, pacing and governance, showing how strat4 helps land-based projects and emerging communities build cultures that can sustain community-led transformation for generations.

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Branding, Strategy, Conscious Consumerism Kceniya Holmes Branding, Strategy, Conscious Consumerism Kceniya Holmes

War of Position: Strategic Principles for Transformative Brand Strategy

This blog explores how brands can use Antonio Gramsci’s concept of the war of position to build truly purpose‑driven, transformative brand strategy. It sets out strategic principles for brand leaders who want to go beyond purpose marketing and embed social impact into governance, supply chains, labour standards and product design, aligning brand purpose with real structural change.

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War of Position: How Purpose‑Led Brands Can Rewrite Common Sense

Purpose‑led brands that want to change the world need more than one‑off campaigns; they need a Gramscian “war of position” that patiently reshapes cultural common sense around climate, justice and democracy. By aligning governance, supply chains and storytelling with a long‑term counter‑hegemonic vision, brands can move beyond shallow purpose marketing and help build a new moral and political settlement that makes sustainable, just ways of living feel normal, desirable and unavoidable.

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Crisis Management, Future, Strategy Kceniya Holmes Crisis Management, Future, Strategy Kceniya Holmes

Marketing in the Age of Political Nihilism

Liberal democracy is no longer merely contested; it is being quietly reconstituted. Beneath the noise of culture wars and political polarisation lies a subtler transformation: the absorption of every sphere—politics, business, media and private life—into a single, self-justifying logic of control. In this new order, failure is personal, freedom is managerial and meaning is managed like a brand asset. For marketing and business leaders, the question is no longer how to communicate within the system, but how to think critically about the system itself—and whether strategic integrity can exist in a world that has made communication its governing method.

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Injustice As The Root Of Critique

Theodor Adorno, German philosopher, musicologist and social theorist, once wrote that “The splinter in your eye is the best magnifying-glass.” In this blog, we unpack why non-profits and organisations striving for a fairer world must sharpen and articulate their message in a systemic way. We also explore how established institutions can engage with critical perspectives and strive for genuine social accountability.

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Green SEO: Building Sustainable Digital Strategies That Rank Higher

Green SEO is transforming digital strategies by combining environmental responsibility with higher search rankings. At strat4, we guide businesses in adopting Green SEO to support long-term sustainability while achieving measurable growth goals.

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AI, Future, Artificial Intelligence, Crisis Management Kceniya Holmes AI, Future, Artificial Intelligence, Crisis Management Kceniya Holmes

The Impact of AI on Society

Artificial Intelligence is transforming society not just technologically, but culturally, morally and politically. As AI exceeds human intelligence, redefines agency and reshapes our cognitive processes, it challenges long-standing frameworks of accountability, diversity and interdependence. From healthcare errors to algorithmic manipulation, society needs AI systems that respect human dignity, fosters transparency and support democratic oversight. This blog unpacks these critical dimensions, providing insights essential for anyone invested in the future of technology and society.

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Branding, Green Branding, Marketing Kceniya Holmes Branding, Green Branding, Marketing Kceniya Holmes

Building an Unforgettable Green Brand: The Three-Step Roadmap (and Pitfalls to Avoid)

Unforgettable green brands aren’t built overnight, they’re built through consistent memory cues and meaningful associations. At strat4, we guide sustainable challengers with a three-step roadmap: audit brand identity, craft a long-term association strategy and track progress with discipline. By avoiding common pitfalls like shock tactics and mixed messaging, eco-brands can carve out iconic status and stay top of mind when it matters most.

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Green, Branding, Ethical Marketing Kceniya Holmes Green, Branding, Ethical Marketing Kceniya Holmes

How Green Brands Win: The Power of Distinctive Brand Assets and Entry Points

Green brands win by creating Distinctive Brand Assets, the sights, sounds and cues that make them unforgettable, and by linking those assets to Category Entry Points, the real-life moments when people decide what to buy. From Patagonia’s “Don’t Buy This Jacket” to Oatly’s bold cartons, the brands that stick are the ones that stay top of mind at the exact moment consumers make sustainable choices.

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Winning Sustainable Attention: Why Most Green Ads Fail (and How to Stand Out)

Most ads fail because they win attention without building the right associations. In a marketing landscape where 85% of ads don’t even last 2.5 seconds in memory, eco-friendly brands can’t afford to just inspire warm feelings. To shift behaviour, you need more than a message, you need a mental shortcut that makes your brand the obvious choice at the moment of decision. At strat4, we call this the “Attention + Association” formula for sustainable brand growth.

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Politics, Language, Communications Kceniya Holmes Politics, Language, Communications Kceniya Holmes

Farage, Reform and Language on Holiday

Nigel Farage and Reform UK thrive on slogans like “take back control” and “stop the boats”, but what happens when political language drifts too far from everyday life? Drawing on Wittgenstein’s idea of “language on holiday”, this piece explores how words can become untethered from lived practices, turning into powerful but empty incantations. The challenge, it argues, is to bring these words back home, rooting “control”, “freedom” and “nation” in the messy realities of work, community and shared life.

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Future, Sustainability, Well-Being, Ambition Kceniya Holmes Future, Sustainability, Well-Being, Ambition Kceniya Holmes

Zack Polanski, The Green Party and Gramsci’s “Modern Prince”

The Green Party’s election of Zack Polanski as leader in September 2025 marks more than just a change in leadership, it signals a potential turning point in British politics. Drawing on Antonio Gramsci’s idea of the “modern prince”, this blog explores how the Greens could transform from a party on the margins into a unifying force for social, economic and environmental justice.

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Redefining Sustainability: Why It’s More Than You Think

Sustainability isn’t just about recycling or reducing waste—it’s about rethinking how we live, work and interact with the world. This blog explores a holistic view of sustainability that includes ethical sourcing, employee well-being, personal balance and community resilience.

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Why Vibes Are the New Branding Imperative

In today’s chaotic digital space, traditional storytelling isn’t always enough. Learn why embracing a culture of rapid content creation and a sharp, strategic brand approach is crucial for standing out in a chaotic media landscape. Dive into my latest blog to discover how to make your mark in the era of brand mosaics.

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Marketing in a “Post-Truth” Era

Political advertising has ushered in a “post-truth” era. Discover how to navigate these complexities and establish authentic connections with your audience. Learn the crucial strategies for crafting messages that resonate and strategies that endure in an era where building trust is paramount.

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Well-Being, Partners and Stakeholders, Measurement Kceniya Holmes Well-Being, Partners and Stakeholders, Measurement Kceniya Holmes

Essential Metrics for Campaign Success

Explore marketing effectiveness and campaign measurement. Learn how to decipher key metrics, optimise strategies, and drive tangible results. Dive into the essential insights on promotional mix assessment, market research, digital analytics, and more. Unlock the power of data-driven marketing and elevate your campaigns to new heights.

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Ambition, Horizon Scanning Kceniya Holmes Ambition, Horizon Scanning Kceniya Holmes

Staying ahead: Measure & Evaluate

Discover the key to marketing success with my comprehensive guide on monitoring and measuring effectiveness. Learn how integrated data sources, marketing dashboards, trend tracking and forecasting techniques can empower your campaigns. Stay ahead of the curve and unlock the full potential of your marketing strategies today!

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