Topic: Brand


  • The Olympics finally got underway today in Tokyo with a bizarre four-hour extravaganza. Celebratory but subdued. Viewed worldwide but in a stadium filled with empty seats. Compelling potential stories but general apathy in the host country. Within the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, and amidst massive social upheaval, these Games promise to be unlike any…

  • There are two big birthdays this weekend. As most of you know, and keep reminding us, The Week finally turns 1. We’re can’t wait for the cake, gifts and boxes to play with.   While it may be the big circle on all of your calendars, don’t forget that other one. Two-hundred-forty-five isn’t as unforgettable…

  • It’s June, which means rainbows are showing up everywhere. From local retailers to big-box brands, from menus to social media feeds, brands are showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.  True support, however, extends beyond just a marketing exercise and much deeper than simply rainbow washing a logo. With about 5.6% of…

  • Like so many, our formative years were shaped in many ways by Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster and all of their friends. It wasn’t just learning the ABCs and 123s in a fun way, it was the way the program taught us about compassion, differences and how to manage complicated situations. It got us thinking…

  • There is nothing quite like that warm, fuzzy feeling that stirs when you’re met with something that takes you back in time. A baseball card that rekindles summers spent trading them. The smell of freshly-baked cookies that takes you back to Grandma’s kitchen. The song that transports you instantly to an unforgettable spring break beach.…

  • According to the calendar, spring begins on March 20. But if you ask us, this time of year is the real kick-off to spring here in Boston. Flowers are in bloom. The sun sets at 8. And the Bruins and Celtics (kind of) open the playoffs, while the Sox still cling to first in the…

  • Peloton is sweating again, this time after a product recall and the CEO’s admission that it should have happened sooner. The stock has fallen nearly 50% from its January highs, and the company expects upcoming sales to fall significantly. Can Peloton bounce back? We asked CTPers what they think the brand needs to do to…

  • Earth Day isn’t another opportunity for brands to pile on. ‘Talking the talk’ isn’t going to cut it anymore. With only 10% of marketers claiming to be ‘well advanced’ in their sustainability journey, there’s a lot of work ahead of us when it comes to credibly building an eco-friendly future. Not only for our clients,…

  • What does the future hold? We’re all ears (especially if you have a Grays Sports Almanac that can help with Sunday’s game). Looking forward, the Week’s been interested in a few recent stories about future states. Offices that look and feel like home. Virtual stadiums. Integrating but managing video fatigue. And (gasp) a world without…

  • Bud Bowl

    Originally published in Sports Illustrated on Nov. 2, 2015  Bud Bowl: Back then the idea of a commercial made specifically for the Super Bowl—that was novel.   As the final pathetic seconds of Super Bowl XXII ticked off the clock, bringing the Redskins’ 42-10 blowout of the Broncos to a merciful close in the wee hours of…