Advertising Lessons from Mr. Rogers

Once upon a time, I thought the future of advertising was digital. Well, I was wrong.

Let me tell you why.

We’ve come full circle in the business of selling products and services: from the early days of word-of-mouth, to screaming into the abyss of consumerism with broadcasting, to finally beginning to realize that—oh yeah—people like to be sat down and told a story.

But why are stories so important? Because we are human, and we can’t help but live the stories we are told. They have the inevitable power to connect us, to make us care.

“There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.”

—Mr. Rogers

This leads us to the (not so new) idea that people aren’t buying what you sell—but why you sell. They want to be a part of your story (assuming it’s good enough).

Many of us have seen Simon Sinek’s TED talk on “How Great Leaders Inspire.” But how many industry leaders are taking it to heart? Especially in a business where our objective is to create connections and build loyalty…

While digital alone is not the future, it plays an important part. Our stories need a place to live, and digital is the most powerful catalyst we have to share our brand’s stories (content) with the right people at the right time.

So, are we making the most of it? Do we know the story of the brands we work on every day? Do they even know their own story?

There’s so much I am just beginning to get my head around in the world of content strategy, marketing, and branded content.

Won’t you come along with me, neighbor?

Watch for the next chapter:

SE-“NO”: No One Likes an Uncooked Cake