CMO's Preparing for the Future

Former colleague of mine is interviewed. Business, now more than ever, is about prediction.

How CMOs Can Prepare For The Future: A Q&A With 'Predicting The Turn' Author Dave Knox   by Jennifer Rooney 

Dave Knox regards and engages with the marketing industry from an incredibly unique and insightful vantage point. As a veteran of Procter & Gamble, managing director of WPP Ventures, CMO of Rockfish, cofounder of The Brandery venture accelerator, startup advisor, blogger and author, he has a keen understanding of the power and challenges of big-name branding as well as the promise, innovation and opportunity of startup business.

His latest book, Predicting the Turn, provides CMOs with invaluable perspective on how to anticipate industry upheaval ahead and how best to prepare and lean in to those changes that can radically disrupt — even threaten — their businesses. Taking a page from startups, legacy companies can eschew the old habits that slow transformation and move forward for growth.  ... " 

Skip: More In Aisle Checkout

One of the holy grails of retail is to much decrease or even eliminate the checkout experience .  It would cut labor needs, and also eliminate one of the most common complaints of shoppers, the long checkout line. We examined a number of methods that used kiosks or checkout devices loaned to the shopper.  But better yet, why couldn't they use their own smart phones to scan items?   Minimizes retailer cost.    At last week's Brandery  event we were pitched another such approach called Skip.  http://GoSkip.com   A partnership with Microsoft and P&G was stated.   " ... A mobile POS integration system giving shoppers the power to scan, pay and skip the line -- all from the convenience of their smartphones ... " .   Ideas were good.  Look forward to seeing a live demo.

Strap Startup for Marketing Analytics

Brought to my attention via the Brandery.  Strap.      Also, their Brandery information.

" .... Strap enables actionable human data to inform and improve marketing and engagement programs. We believe the consumer centered journey must be personalized because a more personal world is a better world. Through powerful analytics and segmentation from smartphones, wearables and health data applications, Strap empowers some of the world’s largest brands and retailers to securely engage consumers at the right time while building brand loyalty and gaining valuable consumer insights. Strap was founded in early 2014 by Steve Caldwell, Patrick Henshaw, and Joey Brennan, and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Follow Strap on Twitter at @getstrap. ... " 

Benchmark Intelligence

Brought to my attention by the Brandery.  Benchmark Intelligence. " ... The New way to Manage a Chain ... Operational Business Intelligence for Restaurant Chains (and more)  ... Streamlined field auditing, text based customer feedback with innovative reporting and more. ... "

Cincinnati Startup Community Competes

Participated in a day for the Cincinnati startup community yesterday, put on by Centrifuse and The Brandery.  Represented GMDC in 'speed dating' sessions for a dozen startups in the retail and manufacturing spaces.  Some quite interesting plays  including in aisle checkout, product data asset management and Household Loyalty.    More in Cincinnati Enquirer.

Brandery Opens New Start-ups

Thr Brandery launches six new startups in Cincinnati.  In Dave Knox's blog.

Brandery Welcomes Inaugural Class

Dave Knox welcomes the inaugural class to a concept he calls the Brandery on Monday. " ... If you’re consumer focused, you must be brand focused ... Apply for a 12-week program that includes 20K in financing as well as access to the partners, mentors and resources typically reserved for major corporations ... " . Intriguing concept we will follow. See also their blog.

New Seed Accelerator in Cincinnati

New in the heart of the Midwest, by a former colleague, The Brandery:

The Brandery opens it doors: New seed accelerator launches in Cincinnati by Dave Knox
Today I’m excited to announce the launch of The Brandery, a new seed stage consumer marketing venture accelerator. The Brandery will be a three-month-long program held in Cincinnati, Ohio that is focused on turning your great idea into a successful, brand-driven start-up. For our inaugural class this Fall, we are selecting 5 companies, with each receiving $20,000 in seed funding, three months of mentorship, and the opportunity to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program.

The full press release is listed below. For more information, please “like” us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and check out our site at http://brandery.org Applications close on August 11th so if you know of any companies who would be interested, please encourage them to apply today ... "