It's the Links I Love, My Friend

in

Ripples2_1 Brand Aura - Pink Air
Jeffre discusses the advantage commercial brands have in creating an aura.  The blog is all about the art of interesting, and chocked full of great reads.

Influence Ripples 2.0 - Logic + Emotion
DA's been on a quest to graphically describe influence in the blogosphere, and along the way has gotten a bunch of help from a few of his blogger friends.  It's been just as interesting watching the evolution of the idea as it is seeing the final product. Check it out (1, 2, 3).  Be sure to read the comments. (See the visual)

Better Advice For Young Planners - Adliterate
Here's a great thought starter for any planner, not just the young ones,  My favorite:

2)Try to be interesting first and right second
I think planners spend too much time trying to be right – to come up with the right answer regardless of whether it is interesting to them, the creative team or the consumer. I think it’s a much better plan to try and find the most interesting thing you could possibly say about the brand or category and then work out whether it is right or could be made right with a little tinkering. Markets are conversations and so brands need something to say that people find interesting. Above all fight cliché in any form.

An Open Letter To Those Born After 1982 (Or The One Thing Your Parents Got Right) - Chartreuse Beta
This is pure poetry in blog form, my friends.  Chartreuse has a certain rhythm to his writing that sort of mesmerizes you into shaking your head.  Plus, his visuals always amplify his words, which is an artform in itself.

Branding Redux - 3 New Rules - Marketing Nirvana
Mario expands on three new rules of branding.  My favorite example was the Junior Bush, using polarization of the country to further his brand.  Increasing his haters also, conversely, solidified his flock, so, you know, he's got that going for him, I guess.  Seriously, Mario's always got great insights, check it.

Voice-In: Give a Girl 5 Minutes and 2 Cents - CK's Blog
Blogging Beauty Christina Kerley offers up a great question, and, as often happens when you ask the right questions, she gets great responses.  Be sure to hit the comment section and enjoy the many reasons why we blog.