My Favorite Blog Posts of 2023

Another year-end list …

Source: Photo by Behnam Norouzi on Unsplash

I’ve been blogging about marketing, pop culture, leadership, and LGBTQ+ issues (including parenting) for well over a decade … it brings me pure joy to celebrate the work of our industry and to discuss topics that matter. Just like my countdown of the Biggest Marketing Moments, every year I do a countdown of my favorite posts of the year. From #10 to #1 … here goes …

#10 … Ketchum Brand Refresh: I kicked off the year professionally by launching a global refresh of our agency’s branding and declared that we are all about “Progress at Work.” Those of you who know me know it was a labor of love and turned out to be a real career milestone for me.

#9 … Change Happens at the Speed of Trust: We know that trust has eroded around the world. A colleague gifted me with the notion that we can only drive change if we have instilled trust. So true.

#8 … A Masterclass in Customer Service: I am in awe of really good customer service, but while it’s easy in concept it’s not so easy in reality. I received a lesson or two this year which I really admire.

#7 … Leave the Gate Open: This post was all about helping the generations coming after us to get a start or a boost in their careers. Inviting them in and giving them opportunity.

#6 … How To Enter a Video Meeting When You’re Late: Like many of us, I’m often a minute or two or three late for video meetings and I always enter the “room” by saying “I’m sorry.” Well, there’s a better and more inspiring way to start a meeting. Thank you.

#5 … My Session at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity: Another career highlight for me this year was speaking at Cannes. Twice in one week! Once about being “Trauma-Informed” in our work and the other about managing a brand crisis. A real first for me to speak on stage and a great collection of professional memories with clients and colleagues.

#4 … "Lead the Team” Podcast with Ben Fanning: I had the pleasure of doing a few podcasts this year with various hosts who cover marketing and leadership topics. This one with Ben Fanning was my favorite, perhaps of all time. Unscripted!

#3 … I Don’t Like Pride This Year:As a gay man and father, I relish in Pride every June. But this year was a shocking throw-back to issues I thought we were on our way to solve as a society. It didn’t feel good.

#2 … “I Sing Across the Street”: What a moment! During a casual New York week day lunch, we met a Soprano from the New York Metropolitan Opera and got an instant lesson in humility.

#1 … Don’t Come Out, Let People In: What a great concept! It’s not about revealing to people that you’re gay (or not gay), it’s about letting them into your (real) life.

Do you have any favorite articles or podcasts or blog posts that inspired you? What’s your experience? JIM