Stop Asking Why
Both the Army and Pixar think the same way. Intuition, imagination and staying open to all possibilities. What that means for running, plus updates on UTMB, London and Flagstaff plans.
A Matter of Brand
A bi-weekly newsletter with a critical look at the why behind the marketing, trends and storytelling driving the running industry.
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Latest posts
A Mindset of Possibility Over Probability.
My trip to Hardrock and revisiting the idea of preservation over exploitation ten years later.
From the Front Row at TrailCon and Western States
We pulled off an incredible brand house concept, Golden Hour Racing was a hit, production updates on our WSER film, plus some juicy notes and chatter from Palisades.
The Underlying Driver of Trail's Success: A Passion Contagion
A look at the current trail running cultural zeitgeist leading into the summer and a peak into my own TrailCon activities with MoB and Auteur Sportif.
I Have Questions; The OAC Sprint Team
Trust, Track, and the Long Game. An intimate and honest approach from On.
On the Ground at Cocodona: The Future Is Female and It's Coming Fast
Could the gender parity of 200s make them more exciting than 100s? And how a storytelling strategy is a big part of Cocodona's ascendance.
There's a New Voice at MoB and She Has Questions!
What does it mean to be a runner and who gets to decide? This newbie explores where she belongs in the Los Angeles running scene and brings us along for the ride.
The Pop-Up Pendulum is Swinging
Small, intimate and at its best offline. It's the antidote to self-indulgent hype and spectacle. Can big budgets and publicly traded ick even compete with such a pure experience?
Nike Lost in Boston, But Not For The Reason You Assume.
You may have loved it or hated it but it won the weekend. Where are the clapbacks at?
New YouTube Strategies for Athletes and Brands
How athletes are becoming content distribution channels. Recent examples from Conner Mantz, Kilian, David Roche, Jenn Lichter, The Boulder Boys, Francesco Puppi, Hans Troyer, Tara Dower and Jason Tatum?
A Look at Product Launch Storytelling
Some recent examples from Arc'teryx, Merrell, Keen, Bandit and New Balance. Plus Harry Styles elevates editorial and UTMB's marketing crackdown could be ugly.
A Bit Of Everything Lately
New films from Aravaipa and Bandit; My Nike ACG thoughts; Home runs as a marketing strategy; Job openings with impact and the scuffle that won't leave my DMs.
The New Brand Paradigm ➡ Culture Stacks
What explains the success of small brands and the struggles of the big guys? The old framework is ineffective and a new paradigm is winning. Let's look at the running industry.
The LN1 Project from On: A Collision of Worlds
What if Virgil Abloh and Mill City could collaborate on performance running product? And who is Vecna in this colliding worlds analogy? I chat with Max Smith from On.
RunnerCon 2025 Wrapped
Booths are too boring, On's secret project, surprise brands with low energy, Chinese brands coming hard and someone really got kicked out?!?
What Will be the Storylines at TRE?
Questions I've been asking myself as I get ready to head to San Antonio.
KAIRONIC Magazine by Auteur Sportif
We're dumping social media and jumping into print. Here's the what, why and how.
What If Quiet Were Cool?
The opposite of a good idea is another good idea. It's NYC Marathon week so let's consider the underserved flip-side of the hype train.
The Run Specialty Interview
An anonymous interview to learn what's working and what isn't. Hint: it's a different world than what social media would imply.
Poll: Running Brands that Stand Out
Comparing the current zeitgeist to the situation just two years ago.