They don’t work.
So many companies want the popularity of a Facebook or the reach of an Engadget so badly, they that jump right in without doing any of the heavy lifting. Then they expect people to flock to them and can’t understand it when they don’t.
But you know what? Facebook started with a tiny handful [...]

[ July 16, 2008; ] Speaker: Spike Jones
Inc. Magazine (Inc. 5000)
NYC

Details to come!

[ July 13, 2008 to July 15, 2008. ] Speaker: Spike Jones
Association of National Advertisers – Marketing Accountability Conference
Dana Point, CA

Word-of-mouth marketing is the flavor of the month right now. Viral marketing, online videos, social networks, blogs, and buzz events are all new tools in our expanding marketing toolbox. To truly make an impact, we, as marketers, must take that bold next step of [...]

[ July 9, 2008; 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. ] Speaker: Spike Jones
Association of National Advertisers - Southern Marketers Committee
Dallas, TX
Word-of-mouth marketing is the flavor of the month right now. Viral marketing, online videos, social networks, blogs, and buzz events are all just new tactics in our expanding marketing toolbox. To create something truly impactful, valuable, and sustainable we, as marketers must take that bold [...]

A few people have asked me to share the internal Tequila Shot Book we’ve mentioned on the blog. This is our book of beliefs here at Brains on Fire. Our pirate’s manifesto.
This year we connected our goals as an organization to our beliefs and for me it has been inspiring - life changing really - [...]

Fundamentally, the vast majority of people want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s a sports team, religion or even a company, people desire a sense of belonging.
But you know what? Companies have to be willing to be a part of something bigger than themselves as well. We see companies all [...]

Okay. I saw this note right before it went out the door today and made me smile. More proof that love is a circular transaction.

Spike has shared this before but I think it bears repeating.
From A Dozen Things to Believe In, Brain on Fire’s “Tequila Shots” book:
The cool thing about Love is that [...]

As I’m sure you all know, comedian George Carlin passed away this weekend. And while I’m not certain I’ll end up being relevant to identity or social communities or WOM or any of that, I just feel like something needs to be said. Carlin was one of the rare voices that showed the [...]

It’s been a busy weekend for the Brains on Fire clan. We had the identity heavyweights pounding though 5 different rebrands for a major outdoor recreation company this weekend. Matt, Joe, Eric D. and Libby on the ground in Charleston for the Parks Conservancy kicking off the word of mouth movement there. And Geno, Carrie [...]

[Warning: I am about to talk politics. Sort of.]
We’ve been debating this statement a lot lately at Brains on Fire in light of the political campaigns and the political movement going on around us.
Hillary – the woman – is/was inspirational to many.
Obama – the man — with all of his charisma is inspirational to [...]