Free Marketing Templates, Internet Brain & Strangescaping

A few years ago, I launched the Kickframe Toolbox. It started out as a book, which then evolved into an online training resource, and eventually became a website full of marketing planning templates. Like many of my other pandemic projects (sourdough bread, kettlebell workouts, DIY haircuts), it ended up gathering dust.

So, I recently updated the ol’ Toolbox with a few new frameworks focused on AI and marketing. These include the AI + Marketing Guidelines, AI Use Case Pilot, and AI Use Case Exploration frameworks.

All of the templates are now free to download in editable formats including Google Slides and PowerPoint, complete with instructions for choosing and using. My bread-making supplies are also available for free.

Engagement & Internet Brain

One of my New Year's resolutions is to be more aware of my screen time and to actively seek out content that interests me (rather than being served to me by algorithms). It was also one of my resolutions last year, which tells you how well things are going. It turns out that I am not alone in feeling the trap and the effects of excessive screen time. Internet brain, also known as brain rot, was Oxford's Word of the Year for 2024. A 17-year-old recently wrote an opinion piece for the New York Times advocating for the US to ban TikTok because she is addicted to it. Research also shows that most of us multitask across multiple screens regularly, leading Netflix to design more “casual viewing” content meant to accommodate simultaneous scrolling. Not great. For anyone else struggling to step away from their screens and feeds, research shows that creative activities can help. I love this new app Steppen, which requires you to earn your screen time by walking. More steps equals more scrolling.

Fresh Research

• Our Life with AI (Google / Ipsos): A new global study shows that the global public is increasingly using and excited about AI. It's interesting to note that 57% believe AI will free up workers' time so they can focus on more rewarding work, while 43% believe AI will increase demands on workers to do more with less.
• Complement or Substitute (Makela/Stephany): An analysis of 12 million job postings reveals that AI is increasing demand for AI-complementary skills (digital literacy, data science) while decreasing demand for AI-substitute skills (customer service, text review). However, the demand for complementary skills exceeds the negative impact on the demand for substitute skills by up to 50%.
• The State of Video Gaming (Matthew Ball): Comprehensive annual report on the gaming industry. Interesting findings on how streaming impacts gaming habits - 1.4 million users launch a game for the first time each month after watching a stream.

Great Decks

• 28 Days of Media Slides (Doug Shapiro): Smart, data-backed presentation on big picture media trends. Describes how creators are disrupting the traditional media value chain, with the internet breaking barriers for distribution and GenAI breaking barriers for creation.
• Growth2 (Zoe Scaman): A new essay / presentation that challenges brands to consider growth through transformation rather than expansion. The back half of the presentation contains some inspiring / illustrative examples.
• Future of Food & Drink (Bompas & Parr): For a taste of something different (pun intended), check out this fun / stylish deck on food & drink trends, complete with new made-up trend words (which I’m more than guilty of creating myself). My favourites are ‘strangescaping’ and ‘eating the inedible’. Sounds delicious.

Cool Beans

• En App: “Tell me of the book you seek but cannot name” – a fun app for looking up book titles by describing what they're about. It provides you with some great starting off prompts like “novels where seasonal allergies are actually magic” and “Like Lord of the Rings but with more office politics”.
• Brian Eno Doc: The new movie uses generative AI to create a unique version for each screening to celebrate Brian Eno’s approach to art – and wreaking havoc on the Rotten Tomatometer.
• Nokia Design Archive: This is amazing: an interactive portal with over 700 entries from more than 20 years of Nokia's design history. Would love to see more design companies share their past work this way.