Fewer Ads, Bigger Impact

Introduction

Welcome to another exciting week!

Table of Contents

• Best Ad of the Week

• Latest Trends and News

• Weekly Tip

• Weekly Challenge

Sponsored Section

Employ Anywhere (without risk or hassle)

Hiring internationally doesn’t need to be complicated—or expensive. As an Employer of Record, RemoFirst lets you legally employ talent in 185+ countries, managing all international HR and payroll aspects from one platform, starting at $199/month.

Skip the legal entity setup, surprise fees, and compliance risks. Our transparent pricing and local expertise make it simple to scale globally.

Whether you're hiring your first engineer in Brazil or your 30th contractor in India, we’ve got you covered.

Start hiring globally

Best Ad of the Week

LeBron James × Hennessy – “Decision 2025” Tease

What they did:
Lebron James revived his infamous “Decision” moment—but this time, not about basketball. He teased a big announcement, stirring buzz and speculation. Ultimately, the reveal was a new ad partnership with cognac brand Hennessy. The stunt drew both excitement and ire: some praised the cheeky callback, while others called it misleading—characterizing it as a “rug pull” for playing off nostalgia and fan expectations. Business Insider

Key Marketing Lessons

• Nostalgia is powerful—when handled delicately
  Leveraging past iconic moments can grip attention. But brands must ensure the payoff delivers—not disappoint. Teasing a legacy moment heightens expectations, so failure to match them can backfire.

• Shock pacing needs reconciliation
  A dramatic tease works only if the reveal feels earned. If the eventual reveal feels anticlimactic or disjointed, you risk damaging trust.

• Transparency reduces backlash
  If you're going to borrow a controversial or loaded moment, build in cues that indicate it's a campaign—not part of the old narrative. That helps audiences adapt.

• Buzz is earned—but sustained by substance
  The campaign got immediate media and social attention. But long-term impact depends on the product, message, or partnership delivering real value beyond the stunt.

• Brand associations multiply scrutiny
  LeBron’s personal brand, Hennessy’s premium liquor identity, and the legacy of the original “Decision” are all lenses through which the public judges the move. When combining them, even more care is needed in tone, alignment and message clarity.

Latest Trends and News

Guardian Champions Fewer, Better Ads
The Guardian launched its FAME Index — short for “Fewer Ads, More Effective” — urging brands to prioritise quality creative over volume buying. It highlights a growing industry push toward fewer interruptions and stronger storytelling.

Pandora Elevates Marketing to the Top
Jewellery giant Pandora has promoted its CMO, Berta de Pablos-Barbier, to CEO starting in 2026. A former LVMH executive, her appointment reinforces how marketing-driven leaders are increasingly shaping global brand strategy.

Print Media Reinvents Itself
Fashion magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair are reducing print frequency while investing in richer, collectible editions. The trend shows a shift toward premium, tactile experiences as audiences tire of digital overload.

Sponsored Section

The free newsletter making HR less lonely

The best HR advice comes from those in the trenches. That’s what this is: real-world HR insights delivered in a newsletter from Hebba Youssef, a Chief People Officer who’s been there. Practical, real strategies with a dash of humor. Because HR shouldn’t be thankless—and you shouldn’t be alone in it.

Sign Up Free

Weekly Tip

Keep Formatting Consistent

Visual rhythm matters as much as words. Consistent formatting makes your content feel polished and intentional.

• Use the same spacing, headers, and text size across posts
• Align visuals and captions in a repeatable layout
• Keep punctuation and capitalisation uniform throughout

A clean, predictable structure helps your message shine without distractions.

Weekly Challenge

Comment Comeback

This week, re-engage with your existing audience through past posts:

• Go back to three older posts that had strong comment sections
• Reply to unanswered comments or follow up on past conversations
• Mention updates or ask if followers’ opinions have changed
• Note any revived engagement or returning followers

Reviving old discussions reminds people you value their input—and can reignite dormant reach.

Submissions + Feedback

Hope you enjoyed today’s post, if you know someone who may be interested, feel free to send it to them.

Also, if you want me to cover any specific subject on the next issue or share some feedback, feel free to reply to this email.