Art and Cultural Impact

In a world where our attention is constantly being pulled in a hundred directions, one thing is clear: consumer attention can’t be bought—it must be earned.   We’re operating in a time where consumer attention is more fragmented and precious than ever before. The competition is no longer just other brands. It’s creators, media outlets, digital platforms, and the constant demands of daily life. People are overwhelmed, and their time is their most valuable currency.   But let’s be clear: not all attention is equal. The depth of engagement you earn from a documentary, for example, is far more meaningful than a fleeting glance at an ad while someone is multitasking at the gym. Brands need to move beyond being seen, to being felt.   What’s driving real impact today are brands that deeply understand their audience and show up in ways that are emotionally resonant, culturally relevant, and authentically human.   The brands winning in this environment are doing a few key things exceptionally well:   First, they embrace the power of entertainment. And entertainment doesn’t mean the same thing for everyone. For Red Bull, it’s high-adrenaline sports. For Liquid Death, it’s irreverent, disruptive humor. The Kegs for Pregs campaign with Kylie Kelce was a perfect example. It was unexpected yet rooted in a universal truth for pregnant women that made it unforgettable.   Second, they put their audience at the center, literally. Transformational content isn’t scripted testimonials or over-produced spots. It’s about real people, real experiences, and real moments that reflect the role your brand plays in their lives. Kodiak Cakes nails this with Zac Efron, a true believer in the product and lifestyle. At WW, that authenticity was everything. Our partnership with Oprah wasn’t transactional, it was transformational. She lived the mission, and that inspired millions to do the same.   And finally, they meet people on their terms. Consumers are in control. They skip, scroll, and curate their own content worlds. Your brand has to earn its place by being useful, meaningful, or simply delightful.   This is a mindset shift. And it starts with respecting your audience’s time, understanding their lives, and creating experiences that don’t just capture attention, but deserve it.

Starting with the end in mind is standard advice in business. The end often gets fuzzy when connecting your brand strategy to your BHAG and goals. In financials, brand value even lives in "intangible assets."  It's often pushed downstream as a marketing activity. But a brand is your company's DNA. It can't be confined to downstream management alone. The entire company must improve its brand and marketing literacy to make better strategic decisions. While marketing may own branding, it requires unified leadership to direct the cultural compasses, ensuring the brand promise resonates across all aspects of the brand experience: product, employee, customer, and community. Great experiences create the connection you need to compel people to share, which drives demand and growth. Although most organizations acknowledge the importance of a strong brand for securing a competitive edge, few effectively integrate the brand into cross-functional strategic priorities. Recently, I visited the World Of Coca-Cola Museum. Touring exhibits, I started thinking about how the experience was like reverse engineering a brand from the end. Coke has built one of the most valuable global brands. Their museum immerses visitors in experiences and reminds consumers of their emotional connections worth sharing, driving generations of demand.    Visitors taste beverages from around the world, feel the fizz on their tongues, smell the ingredients, and watch heartwarming movies of people enjoying Coke products, tapping nostalgia and triggering emotional connections. This symbolizes the pinnacle brands aspire toward. I thought about how effective it would be as a leadership exercise in enhancing brand literacy within an organization. Leaders across the company could reverse engineer the brand as a brand museum. What would make the brand museum-worthy? What would make people want to pay to attend and stand in long lines? How would you showcase how customers interact with your products or services? How would you tell the story?  How would you draw back the curtain into how the sausage is made?  What senses or behavior connections could you use to trigger connections to the brand? The answers can create a valuable shared consensus that avoids downstream siloed brand efforts. This also begins to outline a roadmap for organizational improvements. My intuition tells me that getting groups to visualize their brand museums will make creating a great brand more tangible. Teams would start to see and feel the brand objectives that can defend against disruption.  Give it a try. Does envisioning your brand museum reveal gaps between the ideal and current state of your overall brand experience, including customer, employee, and community experiences? Take an assessment of where your brand needs to improve for key stakeholders. You may find improvement opportunities to get you closer to that end goal. #brand #strategy #marketing #culture

Liquid Death is a driver of culture. That’s how it’s built a large engaged community, zealous brand love and a valuation of $1.4 billion in just 6 years. So, how exactly does a brand become a driver of culture? This is a superpower, especially now when it’s harder than ever to drive results of any kind.  Businesses which listen to and lead culture grow up to 6 times more than brands with low levels of cultural relevance. At the fabulous Brands&Culture conferences in London and NYC recently, I offered a 3-step Cultural Storytelling Framework for how brands can shape culture. I used Liquid Death as the case study to illustrate the first principle in my storytelling framework: “Know What You Believe.” It's the first pillar in my storytelling framework because culture starts with and grows out of people’s beliefs. Culture doesn’t start with the music we listen to, the memes we share or the clothes we wear. Those are artifacts and expressions of a culture.  For brands to lead in culture, they need to know what they believe, and then tell stories which convey how they see the world. This is how they can connect with people who hold those same beliefs, their true believers. Your true believers become your evangelists who attract other true believers. That’s the contagious and collective nature of culture. This is the first of several posts where I explore how Liquid Death has created their own very popular culture. And in doing so has shaped our wider culture while generating extraordinary success for the brand. To kick things off, here is a video describing three core beliefs that led Mike Cessario to launch Liquid Death. These beliefs guide him, head creative Andy Pearson and the entire team there in everything they do, from their products to their packaging, branding, marketing and how they run the company, their internal culture. It’s these beliefs which have attracted millions of brand evangelists who share Liquid Death's beliefs. What beliefs do you hold dear and live by? And what about your company? The clearer and more consistent you are about your beliefs and values, the more successful you’ll be at attracting and growing your loyal community -- as an individual, a leader, a brand.  #culture #storytelling #brandmarketing

Your brand exists within a larger cultural context. You can succeed by aligning with it. Or pushing against it. But you have to do something. You can’t ignore it. If you try to ignore it and pretend like you operate in a vacuum, you’re choosing irrelevance as your destiny. Understanding your customers’ world helps you: - Understand what’s relevant to them - See how you can fit in - Know why they’ll care When you understand the culture your customers live in, you can either reinforce it or disrupt it in ways that make your brand relevant. Ignoring this context makes your brand feel out of touch. And customers will walk away. Nike wins by celebrating American ideals of perseverance and achievement. Dove stands out by rallying against beauty standards. Both brands win by understanding the cultural context and deciding whether to play within it (Nike) or break its rules (Dove). So, Look at trends shaping your customers’ world. Think inside your category. And in the larger world. Then ask yourself, “Does our messaging reflect those trends? Or does it pretend they don’t exist?” If your messaging acknowledges them, great. But if it doesn’t, figure out how to incorporate at least one to show you understand your customers. Or risk irrelevance.

The Healing Canvas: How Abstract Art and Art Therapy Transform the Brain and Inspire Well-being. In an increasingly complex and demanding world, the human brain is constantly bombarded with information and stimuli. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are prevalent, and mental health challenges are on the rise. Amidst this turmoil, art offers a sanctuary for the mind, a space for reflection, expression, and healing. Abstract art, in particular, possesses a unique power to engage the brain in ways that can promote well-being, inspire creativity, and even aid in recovery from neurological conditions. The Brain on Abstract Art: A Symphony of Perception and Emotion When we encounter a piece of abstract art, our brains embark on a fascinating journey of interpretation and meaning-making. Unlike representational art, which depicts recognizable objects and scenes, abstract art presents a visual language of shapes, colors, and textures that invites individual exploration and discovery. Key Brain Regions Activated by Abstract Art: Visual Cortex: The visual cortex, located at the back of the brain, is the primary hub for processing visual information. Abstract art stimulates this region, challenging it to decipher patterns, recognize forms, and interpret the interplay of colors and lines. Amygdala: The amygdala, an almond-shaped structure deep within the brain, plays a crucial role in processing emotions. Abstract art can evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy and excitement to contemplation and serenity, activating the amygdala and allowing for emotional expression and release. Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex, located at the front of the brain, is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions such as decision-making, planning, and problem-solving. Abstract art engages this region, encouraging viewers to think critically, analyze patterns, and make connections between seemingly disparate elements. Hippocampus: The hippocampus, a seahorse-shaped structure involved in memory and learning, is also activated by abstract art.

🖼 Fuseli’s “The Nightmare” (1781) is one of my favorite paintings. I like it not because it’s comforting, but because it captures something we still don’t talk about enough: what it feels like to carry unseen stress. In this iconic Romantic-era work, a woman lies draped in sleep while a grotesque imp squats on her chest. Behind her lurks a shadowy horse, eyes wide in horror. It’s a visual metaphor for night terrors, but it resonates deeply with how anxiety can feel in waking life, especially in high-pressure work environments. 👉 The truth? Mental health still isn’t treated like physical health in many organizations. We champion fitness challenges and healthy snacks in the break room but ignore signs of burnout, chronic stress, or depression. Let’s change that. Here are a few best practices I’ve seen (and implemented) that make a real difference: ✅ Normalize check-ins that go beyond performance. Managers can ask, “How’s your workload feeling this week?” Not just “Are you on track?” ✅ Make mental health resources visible and easy to access. If your EAP is buried in an intranet or requires a scavenger hunt, it won’t help anyone. ✅ Treat PTO like recovery time, not a privilege. Don’t just approve time off. Encourage it. Model it. Respect it. ✅ Design work rhythms that allow for decompression. From no-meeting Fridays to quiet hours, small tweaks reduce the cognitive load. ✅ Train leaders in emotional intelligence. Psychological safety starts at the top. Art like The Nightmare reminds us that invisible burdens are just as real and sometimes just as paralyzing as any physical obstacle. Let’s build cultures where our people don’t need to wait until nightfall to be haunted by stress . 💬 How is your organization championing mental health? What’s working—and what still feels like a dream? #MentalHealthAtWork #PsychologicalSafety #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #Fuseli #OrganizationalCulture #LearningBites #WorkplaceAnxiety #MentalHealthAwareness

Detroit and Milwaukee present a striking contrast in their approach to arts and culture funding, with profound implications for their creative economies. Detroit shows a more robust and coordinated approach to arts funding with multiple sustainable funding streams, while Milwaukee struggles with limited public support and increasing competition for resources. Detroit's strategic investment in arts and culture has become part of its revitalization strategy, while Milwaukee's arts community faces ongoing funding challenges despite having a rich cultural ecosystem. Detroit's arts and culture sector contributed an impressive $18.4 billion to Michigan's state GDP in 2022, employing 120,714 workers and generating over $10.4 billion in wages and benefits. The city's cultural vitality is further enhanced by strong attendance, with 45% of adults participating in live performances. This success is underpinned by substantial support from major foundations like Kresge, Knight, and Hudson-Webber, along with a $1 million state grant for new arts initiatives and a dedicated Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship. In contrast, Milwaukee's arts sector, while significant, operates on a smaller scale, generating $334.6 million in economic activity and supporting 4,550 jobs in the Greater Milwaukee area. The sector contributes $57.8 million in tax revenue, with $191.8 million spent directly by arts organizations and $142.8 million in event-related spending by audiences. However, the city faces severe funding challenges, ranking 49th out of 50 states in per capita state funding for arts at just 18 cents, and notably lacks a dedicated public funding office for arts and culture. While Milwaukee's total creative sector contributes $11.9 billion to Wisconsin's economy and supports over 89,000 jobs, the city's cultural organizations increasingly struggle with sustainable funding models. Meanwhile, Detroit continues to leverage major events like the 2024 NFL Draft, which generated $213.6 million in economic impact, demonstrating how strategic investment in arts and culture can drive broader economic revitalization. Detroit's revitalization strategy has positioned arts and culture as a cornerstone of its urban renewal, with the Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) serving as the driving force behind the city's cultural renaissance. ACE has launched transformative initiatives that are reshaping Detroit's cultural landscape, most notably the innovative Arts Alleys program. This $3 million initiative, funded through American Rescue Plan Act funds and supplemented by Ford Foundation support, is transforming commercial and residential alleys across nine neighborhoods into vibrant community spaces for art exhibitions and cultural gatherings. Detroit's commitment to cultural development has earned international recognition, including becoming the first U.S. city to receive the UNESCO City of Design designation.

👋Our latest article is out today as an Essential Read in Psychology Today! Find recs for how leaders and health initiatives can tap into more local assets to support wellbeing and trauma recovery. A few takeaways: 📣"Urgent and complex needs warrant solutions that are informed and bolstered by diverse local assets. 💡"substantial evidence highlights art’s positive effects on mental health outcomes associated with trauma recovery." ➡️"...there is value in recognizing the community-based arts and cultural practices that community members find relevant, meaningful, and supportive, and integrating these practices into community care strategies—particularly in difficult times." ➡️"While it is not yet common to think of *community arts organizations* as portals to health and social care, [other] trusted community entities (e.g., faith-based orgs, barbershops) often partner with public health to provide crucial access points for screenings, education, and other health-promoting interventions... 💡"...Adding community arts organizations to these types of partnerships with public health, healthcare, and social care systems can enhance and expand local efforts to improve access and care." Read and share the article here: https://lnkd.in/ejVYwJQU Gratitude to coauthor Sujal Manohar ✨ International Arts + Mind Lab, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pedersen Brain Science Institute University of Florida - Center for Arts in Medicine NOAH National Organization for Arts in Health #mentalhealth #innovation #communityhealth #artsonprescription #wellbeing

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🔵 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀. 🔵 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘶𝘱, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵. The biggest brands don’t just sell stuff — they stand for something bigger. They shape conversations, change perspectives, and spark real-world change. So, how do you craft a story that doesn’t just connect but ignites a movement? 𝟭. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: 𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲. Not just making money, but a cause worth fighting for. Look at Patagonia. They don’t just sell outdoor gear. They’re fighting for the environment. Your brand’s “big why” should connect to a universal problem people really care about. 𝟮. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹. People don’t buy from companies. They buy from the people behind those companies. Share your stories — the struggles, the wins, the moments that shaped your mission. When Yvon Chouinard launched Patagonia, it wasn’t about clothes. It was about protecting the planet he loved to explore. 𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁. Words aren’t enough. Actions matter more. Align your practices, partnerships, and initiatives with your mission. Show people you’re committed — not just talk. 𝟰. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻, 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. A movement isn’t a monologue. It’s a conversation. How can they get involved? What actions can they take today? Create spaces for dialogue, participation, and advocacy. 𝟱. 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱. Use visuals, real customer stories, and data that inspires. Make your message shareable — because inspired people share things that matter. 𝟲. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁. Movements don’t happen overnight. They’re like a snowball rolling downhill — gaining speed and size. If you stay true to your message and keep pushing forward, your movement will grow. Trust takes time, but it’s the only way real change sticks. My final thought? Brands that create real impact don’t just sell products — they shift mindsets and spark action. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a start-up or a giant. Your brand can lead the next big movement. Are you ready to make it happen? Because the world’s waiting for your story.

🚨 Celebrity conductors won’t save you if your target audience feels ignored. Relevance matters more than credentials. Here's what I would prioritize instead: In 2025, every arts organization should have someone on their team—or a trusted partner—who is an expert in stress management 🧘♀️, loneliness 💔, the health benefits of arts engagement 🎨, and the digital detox 📵. Why? Because the arts aren’t just about artistic excellence—they’re about connection, well-being, and creating moments that nourish the soul in an increasingly fragmented world. Consider this: 💔 Loneliness has been declared a public health crisis, with studies showing it’s as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 😰 Stress and screen fatigue are pervasive, taking a toll on mental and physical health. People are searching for reprieve, for something that helps them feel whole again. Enter the arts. Research continues to prove what we’ve long known intuitively: arts engagement improves health, reduces stress, and fosters community. Singing in a choir lowers cortisol.  🎶 Viewing art can reduce feelings of isolation. 🫂 Dance and theater create spaces where people reconnect—with themselves and each other. 🤝 But knowing this isn’t enough. You need someone who can translate this knowledge into action. Someone who understands the science of connection and wellness enough to align programming, partnerships, and marketing with the outcomes people are craving. This isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. To remain relevant, arts organizations must lean into their unique ability to meet these human needs. They must be intentional about designing experiences that heal and uplift, not just entertain. 🕊️ Is your organization equipped to meet this moment? Do you have someone on your team championing the transformative power of the arts—not just as a product, but as a remedy for the challenges of modern life? In the business of culture, THIS is your competitive edge. 🚀 #artsandculture #artsandwellness