industry Insights
Explore the ideas that win hearts and minds, and connect to what matters.
Magna Carta: The long road to rights and liberty
What do the Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest offer us today? As a record of humanity’s centuries-long struggle for dignity, justice and freedom, these documents remind us of the work of our ancestors, who handed us the torch to continue their work and legacy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why Every Organisation Needs a Strategy
Many organisations lack strategies, leading to misalignment and missed opportunities. A strategy provides a roadmap, translating vision into actionable goals, guiding decision-making, fostering cohesion and accountability.
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.
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.
Maximise Engagement with Video Content
Discover how to boost engagement on social media through video content. Learn strategies for tailoring content to different platforms, crafting compelling calls to action and leveraging user-generated content for authenticity.
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.
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!
The Importance of Employee Engagement
Discover the importance of employee engagement and flexible workforces in meeting customer needs. Explore strategies for fostering a positive organisational culture and attracting top talent while achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Navigating Change: Implementing Effective Internal Communications
Discover how effective internal communication strategies can drive organisational change and foster a culture of collaboration. Learn how to segment your workforce, leverage communication tools, and overcome challenges in the modern workplace.
Clear Internal Communication Foster Organisational Success
Discover the pivotal role of internal communications in fostering a customer-oriented culture within organisations. Learn how clear communication strategies drive employee engagement, collaboration and customer satisfaction.
Streamlining Your Campaign Planning: The Power of Project Management Tools
Explore the power of project management tools in campaign planning. From Critical Path Analysis to Gantt charts, discover how to streamline your processes, optimise resource allocation, and achieve your campaign objectives effectively. Unlock the key to successful communication campaigns with strategic project management techniques.
Identifying and Evaluating Different Forms of Media
We explore media's diversity and strategies for effective communication and marketing. From TV to digital platforms, we evaluate each for maximum impact. Discover the 4Cs framework for comparing media's influence on purchasing behaviour and learn how to craft a strategic multi-channel marketing plan.
Unveiling the Secrets of Strategic Marketing Communication
Discover the keys to effective marketing communication strategies with my comprehensive guide. Learn about integrating marketing communications, leveraging internal resources, and navigating budgeting methods. Explore measurement metrics to evaluate campaign effectiveness and drive optimal results. Unlock the potential for growth and differentiation.
Unlock the Power of Multichannel Marketing
Discover the power of multichannel marketing in reaching customers through various communication channels. Learn about the promotional mix, including advertising, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling, direct and digital marketing. Dive into this comprehensive guide to elevate your marketing strategy and enhance customer engagement.