Sleight of Brand

Unlocking Creativity: The Power of ‘Sleeping on It’. ???? Last week we were discussing the effect of short practice sessions followed by rest to build complex skills like those required by magicians, or just about any serious physical endeavor; and we talked a bit about some unconventional ways to train our creative prowess through activities like learning magic, improv, music and strategic gaming. But what about ideation itself? ???? We’ve all experienced that ‘aha’ moment after stepping away from a problem—when solutions seem to materialize out of thin air. This isn’t mere coincidence; it’s the remarkable capability of our subconscious mind at work again. Research indicates that taking breaks or engaging in different activities allows our subconscious to process complex information, leading to enhanced problem-solving abilities. This phenomenon, known as “incubation,” suggests that our brains continue working on challenges even when we’re not consciously focused on them. Incorporating deliberate pauses—whether through short walks, naps, or simply ‘sleeping on it’—can foster creativity and lead to innovative solutions. As we prepare for this Friday’s InSleightful Thinking newsletter, we’ll delve deeper into how leveraging our subconscious can elevate our creative processes and lead to impactful ideas. For us magicians it works like - well, magic! Stay tuned for insights on harnessing this often-overlooked mental resource to enhance your creative endeavors. Sleep on that! ???? #SleightOfBrand #CreativeProcess #SubconsciousMind #Innovation Big ideas lit up the The Rozzie Square Theater on Janaury 23, 2025 at AMA - Boston American Marketing Association Sleight of Brand workshop. Thanks Laura G.!

This week InSleightful Thinking digs deeper into mastering the art of practice and some of the ways it can positively impact our creativity. As always I welcome your thoughts and experiences on the topic!

We admire mastery, but we rarely talk about how it’s built. A few weeks ago, I decided to learn a simple-looking but surprisingly difficult flourish—rolling my wedding band across my fingers, like the classic coin roll. At first, it felt impossible. My fingers wouldn’t cooperate, and the movement felt completely unnatural. But instead of forcing it, I followed a structured approach: short, focused practice sessions, then stepping away and letting my brain process. Each time I came back, I was a little better. Within a week, I was rolling the ring smoothly. And each day, it gets more natural. This isn’t just about magic—it’s how real skill-building works. Whether it’s learning a sleight, sharpening creative instincts, or developing marketing strategy, the key isn’t just practice—it’s deliberate practice, giving your brain time to absorb and refine new skills. I put together a short video to show what I mean. Check it out below. See the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eMcCwz-m And I’ll be back later this week with more thoughts on how structured practice can transform both magic and marketing. What’s a skill you’ve improved through small, consistent efforts? #SleightOfBrand #CreativePractice #MarketingMindset

What can marketers, experience designers, and innovation teams gain from learning how to practice? #SleightofBrand #PracticingCreativity #SkillBuilding

Magicians aren’t the only ones who think in more divergent ways to achieve breakthrough ideas. Listen to what John Clese has to say on the topic of creativity.

Thank you Kevin Thai (Three Circles Studios) for these . wonderful photos of your event. Thanks so much for inviting me to be your magician! This was an absolute pleasure ????. The kids were fantasticly engaged, and anxious to be part of the show - and very funny. ?? Watching them learn some magic after the show was pretty cool as they each dove right into the lesson (with very helpful moms and dads). Got me thinking about all that research linking this very activity (watching or learning magic) to heightened creativity. We could see their little wheels turning as they learned how make a coin disappear and make paper balls appear under three cups. ?????? Three Circles Studio is the absolute best when it comes to professional portrait photography. I encourage anyone consider a refresh of yours or for your staff at large to get in touch with Kevin. https://lnkd.in/eGTe_DR2 And YES - anyone interested in my SleightofBrand workshops, please message me or visit https://lnkd.in/eK4ikayc. ??????

https://lnkd.in/eCNg35zM

???? InSleightful Thinking Week-ending reflections to inspire creativity. When Disparate Ideas Collide, Magic Can Truly Happen. In my Sleight of Brand workshop, I begin by suggesting that the most momentous discoveries and ideas in recorded history weren’t just okay—they were unforgettable, timeless, game-changing events. Fire ??, static electricity ??, the light bulb ??—each emerged from unrelated elements intersecting at just the right moment. Sometimes by chance or happy accident, sometimes by design. And yet, those sparks of insight reshaped how we live and think. As we strive every day for new breakthroughs in the experiences we’re seeking to bring to life, perhaps the most powerful ideas don’t always come from linear patterns of thinking but from unexpected juxtapositions—by letting seemingly unrelated concepts collide and seeing what happens. It’s often harder than the former, but “the juice is well worth the (extra) squeeze,” as my management consulting friends like to say. ?? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) This is why I bring this principle to life in the workshop—quite literally. Fire emerges from the pages of a book, and a light bulb illuminates as an audience member thinks ?? about what inspires her creativity and declares, “I think I’ve got it!” A perfect metaphor: inspiration striking in real time, lighting the way for what we seek to create. What if we actively sought out these creative collisions more often? As magicians wring out every possible scenario in creating the experience of real magic—by challenging each assumption with “but what if…?”—to generate the next idea, and the next, and so on, we reach beyond the obvious to land on more compelling outcomes. Enjoy this short clip from a recent workshop for AMA-Boston. It’s a lighter moment, but kind of surprising and whimsical for the audience as we introduce this concept. ?????? I’m curious—have you ever experienced an unexpected connection between unrelated ideas—perhaps even by accident!—that led to a breakthrough? Please share! Let’s light up the comments. ???????? Drop a comment and let’s start a conversation! Want to chat privately? Send me a message here or visit sleightofbrand.net. And if you’re enjoying these insights, please share and follow Sleight of Brand - now on YouTube - for even more magic-inspired creativity. #SleightOfBrand #InsleightfulThinking #Creativity #Marketing #LateralThinking #Innovation

???? With the Super Bowl nearly a week behind us, I’ve been surprised not to have seen more discussion on social media about the famed (or infamous) ads that so many of us tune in for. Scanning several mainstream sources (New York Times, USA Today, CBS News), it appears that there was general consensus. My own reactions aligned pretty closely with these rankings, and I was particularly moved by Lay’s Little Farmer (#2 in this list): https://lnkd.in/gs-e2JRj I’m curious what you all thought. Which of the ads “got you” on some level more than the rest? Others that stuck with me: #3 - MIchelob’s “The Ultra Hustle;” hilarious with a catchy challenge. #9 - Hellman’s “When Sally met Hellmans;” also quite amusing from a nostalgic perspective. Really clever call-back. #16 - Novartis’s “Your Attention Please” this one got me on a personal level. #17 - Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s “No Reason to Hate” - poignant and powerful in the moment. While I have my own opinions about the creation of big ideas from my work experience, mentors, managers, and colleagues - as well as from a magician’s perspective ???? of course; ???I make no claims about my qualifications as a brand manager or creative director. That’s where you come in. My question for you beyond which ads you enjoyed most is which of all these represented the biggest ideas and why? Many were smart, clever, entertaining, but were any more unique, momentous, or unforgettable in your opinion? Please share your thoughts. I’d love to learn more from you. ???????? #Admeter #SleightOfBrand? #SuperBowlAds #BigIdeas