The curious case of the disappearing headcount.
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7 July 2025
One of the more interesting things Brand Forensics X keeps uncovering is how difficult it often is to answer a simple question.
Ready to go deep on your brand? Say hello to Brand Forensics X.
30 June 2026
I wanted to share a tool I’ve been working on. It uses AI, but it isn’t really about AI.
I want AI to wash the dishes so I can make art, not make art so I can wash the dishes.
23 July 2025
New tech taking our jobs? We've seen it all before.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 10 of 10. Show no fear of your weaknesses.
14 July 2025
The last instalment in this set. Even Superman has Kryptonite.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 9 of 10. Recognise your strengths.
25 June 2025
No. 9 in this set. Lead with what you’ve got.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 8 of 10. Know the difference you want to make.
17 June 2025
No. 8 in this set. Don’t just take the job. Take a stand.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 7 of 10. Give constructive and progressive feedback.
13 June 2025
No. 7 in this set. The fine art of telling the truth.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 6 of 10. Manage the whole person.
6 June 2025
No. 6 in this set. Leadership isn’t just spreadsheets and stand-ups. It’s understanding what makes people tick.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 5 of 10. Listen intently.
2 May 2025
No. 5 in this set. Half way there. Get your ears around this.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 4 of 10. Define a compelling and infectious vision.
22 April 2025
No. 4 in this set. Great leaders know exactly where they are headed and their teams want to follow.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 3 of 10. Show kindness and respect.
7April 2025
No. 3 in this set. Kindness and respect. Easy to say. Harder to live — especially for creative leaders under pressure.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 2 of 10. Put yourself in other people’s shoes.
4 March 2025
No. 2 in this set. Empathy can only exist through listening and understanding.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership. 1 of 10. Set a good example.
14 February 2025
First viewpoint of 10 for budding creative leaders. Set a good example.
Lessons learned from a living legend. On set with Tom Cruise and BTV.
13 February 2025
You feel the need. The need to read.
The ‘X-Factor’ of creative leadership.
3 February 2025
Creative? Had a promotion? Now got people to manage? This might help.
30 years since burning out, Kurt still shines so bright.
5 April 2024
It’s quite impossible to fathom that three decades have passed since Kurt Cobain took his own life in the most violent way imaginable at his home in Seattle.
Does your small business need to be a brand?
20 January 2020
Branding. It’s just for the big boys right? For the Apples, Googles, Amazons and Teslas of this world? Branding is for mega-corporations with deep pockets. With disposable cash to throw at something that isn’t the ‘right-here-right-now’ stuff that keeps SMEs and startups awake at night.
Will A.I. kill the creative star?
12 March 2018
When I first realised you could make a vocation out of being able to draw a bit, and liking some of the ads more than the shows - and one of these career options was called graphic design - I can remember one of my wise old uncles dispensing some sagely advice to the young Stephen who was considering this career path.
Looking to rebrand your business? This is going to hurt.
12 November 2017
Over the years, I’ve lost count of the number of companies I’ve helped to rebrand. The most memorable and successful outcomes, however, are pretty much always the result of a long, unpredictable, prickly process. A journey where people get upset. Tempers flare. On both sides of the equation.
Fireworks. The art of the creative brief.
27 April 2017
The creative brief. A critical part of the process of making brilliant work – and where client service team members, as the people under the skin of the client, get to impart the vital knowledge and wisdom to creatives in order for them to do the best job they can.
Stand out. Stand for something. The key to branding.
9 December 2015
In today's world, where there’s a myriad of options for almost any product or service you care to mention, it’s more important than ever for organisations to present a brand image that’s easy to understand if they want to achieve stand-out.
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