Conversations and perspectives from our favorite people working at
the intersection of marketing x impact — with a Straight Up twist.
The Art of Storytelling: Two documentary filmmakers share their view on what it is, why it’s important, and how you know it worked.
At Straight Up, we believe in the power of stories. But what makes a great story and…
A Love Letter to California: Why One Climate Pioneer Is Betting on the State to Reimagine Economic Success
We met with Kristin Coates, the change-making sustainability executive and founder…
Introducing Brand Integrity: Who Has It, Who Doesn’t & Why It Matters More Than Ever
In an interview with the founders of Ben & Jerry’s published in The New York…
How and Why Regenerative Economies are the Path to Widespread Health and Prosperity
We had a great conversation with Lynelle Cameron, the sustainability pioneer and…
The 5 Tenets of Meaningful Marketing
Consumers have moved beyond simply buying a product or service from a company….
“Play the Long Game” and Other Principles to Make Your Marketing Meaningful
This is a conversation about meaningful marketing — what it is, who we’re…
Why We’re Committing Our Work to Social Impact Causes
We sat down together to talk about our long history of collaboration, our passion…
“Mentorship Is a Responsibility” — How Marketing Leadership Can Cultivate Future Leaders (and How Middle Managers Can Step into That Role)
I sat down with marketing vice president and seasoned mentor Karen Becker to chat…
4 Ways to Take the Marketing Hustle out of the Holiday Season
As we close out 2022, it’s safe to say that everyone has been through A LOT —…
“The Devil Is in the Details” — Why Every Detail Matters Before, During, and After a Customer’s Journey
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose…
Is LinkedIn Getting Less Professional?
LinkedIn is getting more confessional and less professional. At first, I thought it…
“Connections Make All the Difference”: Building a Meaningful Team Culture in Today’s Marketing Landscape
We enjoyed speaking with Mike Colombo, Head of Global Demand Generation at Bricsys,…
Your Marketing Budget Just Got Cut … Now What? Try These 5 Strategies
With a possible recession looming, brand and marketing budgets will no doubt get…
“Customers Aren’t Dollar Signs, They’re Human Beings” — Marketing with Morals Through the Data Privacy Resurgence
I sat down with marketing and healthcare CMO, CTO, and VP of Innovation Sean…
“Tend to Relationships First and Last” and 3 Other Lessons I Learned from My Family’s Business
Starting as a sixth-grader, I grew up working in my father’s specialty men’s…
Marketing Morality: What Can Smaller Brands Do to Engender Trust?
In 2022, ethics and moral principles are an endangered species. Morality lacks in…
In Defense of the Middle Manager
During the pandemic, much has been written about the middle manager — though, to…
“Sending DMs Is Like Eating Potato Chips”: The Digital Communication Blunders You May Be Making (and How to Remedy Them)
Throughout my 30 years in the workforce, I’ve seen a tremendous change in how…
“It’s All About Communication and Open Partnership”: Building Better Relationships with Sales Teams
I sat down with the director of global customer growth and loyalty at Headspace…
4 Ways to Reduce Anxiety at Work
We’re all struggling with anxiety at work — we were long before the pandemic…
8 Ways to Be a Good Partner (and Make Your Partner Look Good!)
When I became a consultant after 30 years in corporate marketing, I realized I no…
5 Ways to Avoid Engaging a Difficult Client
We’ve all had our fair share of difficult clients — ones who behave…
5 Unhelpful Phrases You’re Using as a Leader (and What to Try Instead)
Some “helpful” phrases have become pervasive throughout modern work culture that…
5 Ways to Manage a Difficult Client
Every agency and consultant has experienced it: a difficult client. Clients are…
Jam sessions: A local music store connects teachers and students with digital bridges
After much interest in our interview with The Magic Flute’s co-owner, Tamara…
From acoustic to electric: A local music store reopens with the help of digital
I sat down with Tamara Osheroff to discuss why she left her high-powered marketing…
Keywords are your customer’s words – are you listening?
Hate keywords? You’re not alone. To the uninitiated, SEO keywords can feel like…
Marketing In Our New Reality
5 Marketing Truths in Our Changing Reality(and 3 Actions You Can Take) There’s no…
Are PR Agencies the New Dinosaurs?
The simple answer is “no”…in the sense that it is unlikely all PR agencies…
The Meaning of Design
Design, the profession, began in 1850 during the first Industrial Revolution, when…
My Origin Story
At age twelve, I started working in my father’s specialty men’s clothing store…