White Bear Studio

Founder and Creative Director

The Big Idea - Ireland

Director

Carter Wong Design

Carter Wong Design is an independent, London based graphic design agency. It combines intelligent solutions with outstanding creativity.

Senior Creative

Identica

Middle Weight Creative

Kelly Mackenzie Design

I have undertaken a number of branding and identity, advertising, campaign and design work as a freelancer. I have worked with a number of companies, retailers, charities and artists.

In 2011 I attained an Institute of Designers in Ireland Award for the branding and identity of Industry Design.

Creative Director

Imagination

Imagination is a world-leading communication agency, a global concern with full service offices on four continents. 

During my time at Imagination I worked across a number of disciplines from branding and identity to design for print and experiential.

Landor

Landor is a global company which provides a full range of integrated brand consulting, creative, and design services to help clients create, build, and revitalize their brands.

Middle Weight Freelance Creative

Zinc Design Consultants

Tackling briefs such as branding and identity, campaigns, promotions, web design, corporate publications and advertising. 

In 2010 I attained an Institute of Designers in Ireland Award for branding and identity working as part of a team on the Rua Red South Dublin County Council Art Centre project.

Junior Creative

Graphics IT

Work experience while under going my visual communications degree. I was mentored by creative director Paul Keane, designing stationary, printed ephemera, company identities and websites.

Junior Designer

Founder & CD at White Bear 🐻‍❄️ | Top 22 Female Founder 2022 ⚡️| Small Agency of the year 2022 🥇| CP Top 5 Agencies in UK ✏️ | Speaker and Host 🎤 | 16x Award winner 2022 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

I'm Kelly, the founder and creative director of White Bear, an agency built on brilliant strategy and big idea creativity. All in the pursuit of creating brands that are impossible to ignore.

Learn more at http://www.whitebearstudio.com
Subscribe to our newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/dsXbi1
Or contact me directly at kelly@whitebearstudio.com

Is your brand unforgettable? 

Learn from the world’s most iconic brands.

Distinctive brand assets are learned associations that help us notice, recognise, remember, and think of a brand.

They can include:
🔴 Colour
🔥 Logos 
🅰 Type
▶ Icons
🌈 Patterns
📢 Sounds
🐻 Mascots
🍭 Shape

🔥 Distinct logomark
A unique logomark builds recognition, strengthens identity, and differentiates. 
It can boost brand recognition by up to 75%.

🅰 Distinct typography
Distinct typography in logotypes makes a brand instantly recognisable.
So memorable that even if the words were changed, you'd still know the brand.

🔴 Distinct colour
Owning a colour is highly effective for increasing brand recognition by up to 80%.

💙 Distinct shape
Distinct product shapes make a brand instantly identifiable, allowing consumers to recognise it by touch or even in fragmented form, creating a lasting impression.

🔊 Distinct tone of voice
A distinct tone of voice builds personality and trust. It creates consistency, making messaging more memorable and differentiating the brand from competitors.

🍭 Distinct product
Tony’s product is unevenly cut as a way to remind customers of the inequitable distribution of profits in the chocolate industry. It is unique and memorable.

🐻 Distinct mascot
A mascot helps create memory structures for brand recognition, increasing brand effectiveness.

📢 Distinct sound
The Netflix ‘Ta-Dum,’ the McDonald’s jingle, and the Intel sound are all distinct sonic elements of their brands that aid memorability.

What are your most memorable brands?

So why do brands need distinct assets?
✅ Increase revenue & profitability
✅ Improve brand loyalty & brand value
✅ Increase memorability & recall value

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Kelly Mackenzie 🐻‍❄️ 

Founder of White Bear, helping CEOs & Marketers scale their challenger brands with strategy, creative and design | Keynote Speaker and Host

Most Distinctive Brands in the World

Stop trying to hire the smartest people.

You can teach skills.
You can't teach attitude. 

Thinking about growing your team in 2025?

These qualities highlighted by my friend, Chris Donnelly below will more than pay for themselves. 

♻️ Reshare to help grow positive teams
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9 Brutal Truths Every Employee Needs to Hear. 🚨

Accept these to turbocharger your career:

Stop thinking you're the exception 🛑 Golden words from my friend ⚡️Harvey Lee ⚡️

Your prospects are as good or bad as anyone else 👍 👎

→ The real world doesn’t reward effort
→ It rewards outcomes

Want to progress from survive to thrive?

7 immutable truths to fuel the career you always wanted:

1️⃣ You’re Replaceable:

↳ The company moves on when you’re gone
↳ Your value is in your network, not your role

2️⃣ No One Owes You Anything:

↳ Stop waiting; you're not entitled to promotion
↳ Demand feedback, act on it

3️⃣ You Will Fail, It Will Hurt:

↳ Face your failures, learn from them
↳ Don't fear failing; they are the greatest teacher

4️⃣ Opportunities Won't Just Appear:

↳ Stop waiting to be picked
↳ Create your own opportunities

5️⃣ Your Attitude Is Holding You Back?

↳ Negativity is career poison
↳ Growth requires discomfort

6️⃣ Most Work is Dull & Unrewarding:

↳ Get over it
↳ Stop moaning; start improving

7️⃣ Hard Work Without PR is Pointless:

↳ Being great in silence is a waste
↳ Self-promotion is survival, not arrogance

8️⃣ People Skills Matter More Than You Think:

↳ Emotional intelligence is not optional
↳ Adapt or be left behind

9️⃣ Your Career Is Your Responsibility (not your boss's):

↳ Closed mouths don't get fed
↳ Growth is a choice. Make the choice

Harsh? Maybe
Necessary? Absolutely

→ The quicker you accept these truths
→ The faster you start owning your career
→ Then look back to see how far you've come 🙌

What brutal truth would you add?

Leave a comment 👇

----

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9 Brutal Truths Every Employee Needs to Hear

Stop letting Others Hijack Your Emotions

(9 ways to take nothing personally)

"Not taking things personally is a superpower."
- James Clear

This post from my friend Mike Leber really hit home as someone who suffers from 'taking things personally'. So many golden nuggets in here to change your mindset for a positive year.  

For many of us words cut deeper than they should.

This emotional drain has real consequences:

❌ Higher stress and negative emotions
❌ Narrowed perspectives on situations
❌ Strained relationships

With the right mindset no one can hurt you without your permission.

Here are 9 ways to help you take charge of your emotional responses:

1. Assume Positive Intent
↳ Shift your perspective to believe others’ actions aren’t meant to harm you, even if they seem that way.

2. Reframe the Story
↳ Change the story you tell yourself in a more positive or constructive way.

3. Practice Empathy
↳ Step into their shoes and consider what they might be feeling.

4. Know Your Triggers
↳ Identify what triggers you and why, so you can respond more mindfully.

5. Detach from the Outcome
↳ Release the need for a specific outcome, focusing instead on your own peace.

6. Stay Grounded
↳ When emotions rise, bring yourself back to the present moment.

7. Build Self-Compassion
↳ Be kind to yourself, especially when emotions get the best of you.

8. Communicate Honestly
↳ Clear, open communication can prevent misunderstandings.

9. Surround Yourself with Support
↳ Seek out people who uplift you, and limit time with those who drain you.

Words are just sounds.

Your response is what gives them meaning.

Develop strategies for responding and unlock your freedom.
It will make interactions with others become far easier.

How do you take nothing personally?
Share in the comments! ⬇️

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9 Ways to take nothing personally 

10 Visuals that will change the way you think. 

Time to shake up how you see the world!

These genius graphics by Roberto Ferraro 🔥 tackle the big stuff:
✅   Personal Development
✅   Business Culture
✅   Leadership

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Your Creativity After a Walk
🚶‍♂️ Tech-free walks = idea goldmines.
💡 A 30-minute stroll can flip your entire day.

2. The Most Effective Way to Learn
❌ Mistakes aren’t failures, they’re lessons in disguise.
⚡ Fail fast, learn faster. It’s the cheat code to growth.

3. The Reality of Micromanagers
🤦 Micromanagers, spoiler: you’re not helping.
💪 Want results? Inspire, don’t control.

4. Problem Awareness in Businesses
🛑 Problems ignored = problems multiplied.
👂 Listen to your team. All of them.  

5. The Power of Focusing on Strengths
🎯 Double down on what you’re good at.
📈 Leverage + confidence = unstoppable momentum.

6. The Best Leaders Inspire Leaders
✨ Leadership isn’t about being the boss.
🌱 Lead by example, and you’ll grow more leaders.

7. The Beauty in Giving Energy to Others
💥 Boost someone else, and you’ll feel the spark too.
🤝 Build together. Competition is overrated.

8. The Greatest Communication Problem
👂 Most people don’t actually listen.
🗝️ Listen to understand, not just to reply.

9. Breaking the Introversion Stereotype
🧠 Introverts aren’t quiet—they’re thoughtful.
⚖️ Teams thrive when introverts and extroverts lead together.

10. Creating Psychological Safety
🛡️ Teams grow when leaders listen as much as they speak.
🚀 Safety = success. Every time.

10 visuals. 10 lessons. 1 big mindset shift.

Which one hit you hardest? Drop it in the comments ⬇️

Repost ♻️ and share these nuggets of wisdom with your network

10 Visuals the will change the way you think

9 workplace culture green flags

(Signs you've found an amazing place to work)

Brilliant post from my friend Ashley Couto. So much in here to think about as we embark on 2025. It's time to think about what workplace is right for you.

Job title and salary aren't the only things that matter.

You need to be in an environment that supports your growth and prioritises your wellbeing.

If you see these 9 green flags, you're in the right place: 

🟩 Work-life harmony
Work is a part of your life, but it’s not your whole life

🟩 Appreciation and recognition
When you do good work, it's validated

🟩 Healthy & open communications
Great places to work prioritize strong communication.

🟩 Mistakes are not career enders
You have room to experiment & take risks

🟩 Meaningful diversity & inclusion
Different perspectives are welcome

🟩 Flexible work 
You can adjust your schedule as needed

🟩 No office politics
No gossip or unfair treatment

🟩 Mental health is a priority
A healthy mind is the best productivity hack

🟩 Growth opportunities
Your manager helps you plan your next move

The best workplaces encourage you to be your best self, not simply to do your best work.

These green flags mean you're in a workplace that values their people and not just the numbers.

What other green flags should be on this list?

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9 Signs you've found a great place to work

Think you're pretty fly?

Or is it time to prepare for a crash landing?

If these top 5 branding trends aren't part of your 2025 brand and marketing strategy you may experience some incoming turbulence. 

1/ Keep it real or keep walking 
↳ Purpose-driven brands will soar
↳ Who’s smashing it? Patagonia

Tip
✅ Define your purpose
✅ Embed purpose in your actions
✅ Communicate consistently

2/ Green is the new black 
↳ Sustainability will reign
↳ Who’s smashing it? Allbirds

Tip
✅ Audit your impact
✅ Invest in innovation
✅ Educate your customers

3/ Polished to perfection is out!
↳ Authenticity over perfection
↳ Who’s smashing it? Duolingo

Tip
✅ Show the behind-the-scenes
✅ Acknowledge mistakes
✅ Use real voices

4/ Distinction will define
↳ Visual identities that are unforgettable will be remembered 
↳ Who’s smashing it? Oatly

Tip
✅ Own a colour
✅ Ensure your brand is born from your purpose.
✅ Simplify the number of brand assets you use.

5/ You can sit with us
↳ Community building is a growing expectation
↳ Who’s smashing it? Peloton

Tip
✅ Encourage dialogue
✅ Create exclusive experiences
✅ Shine a spotlight on your customer’s stories

What do you think is going to be the biggest brand trend of 2025?

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Note: My nerdy aviation analogies were all based off assuming you got the EVEN nerdier 90s reference below. Anyone remember this iconic video?

Top 5 Branding trends of 2025

Teacher: Have you been ill? 

Me: No, why?

Teacher: We haven’t seen you this term. New job?

Me: No, just different hours.

The wake-up call came quietly. 
During a rare school pickup in December.
Have I been missing life?

For seven years, I worked a four-day work week. When Jan 2024 arrived, and my son returned to school and my daughter started nursery, I thought it was time to embrace the traditional five-day week. After all, with agencies facing huge challenges, working MORE seemed sensible.

But here's what I discovered about putting career first:

🌆  Evening work replaced school pickups
🍦  Our Friday ice cream tradition disappeared
🏫  School volunteering became a distant memory
👩‍👧‍👦  Those precious after-school conversations? Missed
🌅  Early mornings became LinkedIn time instead of family time
💌  Stopped reading the school newsletter so I missed key dates
🍎  Awkward conversations with teachers around 'whos parent' I am
📞  Stopped reading the Parent What’s App group (maybe that’s not such a bad thing)
 
I had disconnected.

I pushed on until December and then was knocked flat with illness. 
🚫  Missed friends Christmas drinks
🚫  Missed the work Christmas party
🚫  Missed my gym team Christmas party
🚫  Missed my 10-year wedding anniversary

2025 brought clarity and change. 
Work can be flexible, parenting and your health can’t. 

Introducing:
✅ A 9-day fortnight
✅ 3 school pickups weekly with an earlier work start

The trick isn't working less - it's working smarter.
Work schedules can adapt, but life's moments won't wait. 
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is admit when something isn't working.

How are you choosing to stay balanced this year? 
Share in the comments below 🔽 

♻️  Share to show others it's OK to be human
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Image: Yesterday cosied up on the couch after school pick up watching the Masked Singer with my two little space cadets. Feeling slightly guilty but mostly happy.

You have 0.05 seconds to be remembered or forgotten. 

Colour has the power to persuade. 

How do billion pound brands master colour psychology?

Getting your brand colour psychology right isn't about following trends; it’s about triggering instant emotional connections that make people feel, remember, and act. 

Success lies in understanding the psychological triggers that bypass logic and speak directly to the subconscious.

❤️ Red - Excitement, passion, urgency, and energy
💙 Blue - Trust, security, stability, professionalism
💛 Yellow - Optimism, happiness, youth, clarity
🧡 Orange - Adventure, confidence, sociability
💜 Purple - Luxury, royalty, creativity, wisdom
💚 Green - Growth, health, nature, prosperity
💗 Pink - Nurturing, compassion, romance
🖤 Brown - Reliability, comfort, earthiness
🖤 Black - Power, sophistication, mystery
⚪ White- Purity, simplicity, cleanliness

So, what’s the takeaway?

🌈 Understand your audience’s behaviour:
❤️ Their emotional triggers and pain points
❤️ Their colour preferences and associations
❤️ Your industry expectations and audience familiarity
❤️ Define the behavioural responses you want to provoke

🌈 Understand your category codes:
🧡 Balance between distinction and credibility
🧡 Find the colour ownership possibilities in your space
🧡 Weigh up the opportunities to stand out vs need to fit norms
🧡 Analyse your competitors colours and dominant industry colours

🌈 Consider the practicalities:
💛 Digital vs print performance of colours
💛 Long-term sustainability of colour choices
💛 Accessibility and visibility across platforms
💛 Technical limitations and reproduction costs

What brand colours can you remember?

-------------------------------

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How do billion pound brands master colour?

7 Red-flag phrases that destroy teams.

(and what a speaker coach would say instead)

Thank you Mark Prescod MBA🎤 for sharing this phenomenal short-cut guide to killing team moral. As we move into 2025 being aware of our actions and language towards our teams and each other is going to help us get ahead and deliver on our goals. 

We all know the power words.
They can make or break you team.

A McKinsey study found that effective communication improves productivity by up to 25%

Here are the worst phrases a team can hear and what I advise my clients to say instead:

1/
🚩"You should be able to handle this on your own."
↳This implies a lack of support and can make employees feel isolated.
✅Say: "I trust your abilities, but I'm here to help if you need guidance."

2/
🚩"You must have misunderstood"
↳Sounds accusatory, and they may react defensively.
✅Say: "Let's review this to ensure we're aligned."

3/
🚩"Don't ever talk to my boss"
↳Controlling communication breeds mistrust and paranoia.
✅Say: "Speak with upper management, but please keep me in the loop as well."

4/
🚩"I don't want to hear excuses."
↳This dismisses concerns and can discourage open communication.
✅Say:" I understand there may be challenges. Let's discuss what we can do to overcome them."

5/
🚩"We've tried that before”
↳Can dismiss new ideas and stifle innovation.
✅Try:"What new approach can we take this time?"

6/
🚩"I received an anonymous report"
↳May build feelings of distrust and anxiety within the team.
✅Say:"I've noticed [specific behavior]. Can we discuss this?"

7/
🚩"Just figure it out”
↳Managers need to mentor and support their employees.
✅Say:"I'd like you to handle this independently. Here are some resources that may help..."

❗Pro Coach Tips
💡Give clear guidance.
💡Share wins openly.
💡Track promises made.
💡Share direct feedback.

Try these over the next two weeks:
Your team will thank you!

❓ Which phrases will you use more?

♻️ Repost to help leaders become better speakers.
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7 Red flag phrases

Stop Apologising at Work!

(8 ways to replace 'sorry' with confidence):

An amazing lesson on self confidence from the one and only Charlie Lass

We apologise too much at work.
- For asking questions.
- For having ideas.
- Even for needing a day off.

But every unnecessary "sorry" chips away at your confidence.

Here’s what to say instead:
👉 Got a question?
Don’t say: “Sorry to bother you.”
Say: “Is now a good time to talk?”

👉 Need time off?
Don’t say: “Sorry, I need the day off.”
Say: “I’d like a day off on this date.”

👉 Have a New Idea?
Don’t say: “Sorry, this may sound silly.”
Say: “You’ve probably already thought of this, but...”

👉 Don’t Understand?
Don’t say: “Sorry, I don’t get it.”
Say: “Can you clarify this for me?”

👉Made a Mistake?
Don’t say: “Sorry, I got that wrong.”
Say: “Good catch! Thank you.”

👉 Something is Late?
Don’t say: “Sorry, I’ve not done this yet.”
Say: “Thanks for your patience.”

👉Don’t Have Time?
Don’t say: “Sorry, I can’t help you.”
Say: “Let me find someone who can help you.”

👉Screwed Up Badly?
Don’t say: “I’m so sorry, it will never happen again.”
Say: “That’s my fault. I’ll fix it.”

✨ Why this works:
Replacing “sorry” with gratitude or clarity shows confidence and builds trust.

👉 Which of these will you use first? Let me know in the comments.

♻️ Repost to build someone up.
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Stop Apologising!

Keep colouring outside lines. 
 
Teachers see trouble. Businesses see talent.

A boy who wouldn't stop doodling in class is now creating restaurant art.

This hit home.

Throughout my life I have repeatedly been told the following:
↳ You're too bossy
↳ You're too vocal 
↳ You can't do that
↳ You're too tenacious

What makes you different when you're little often turns out to be your secret weapon in your career. 

These quirks are often hidden strengths. 
We need to change how we see them: 

↳Too dreamy: You see visionaries 
↳Too loud: You see natural leaders 
↳Too bold: You see brave innovators
↳Too opinionated: You see conviction 
↳Too questioning: You see innovators
↳Too dramatic: You see storytellers 
↳Too expressive: You see future artists
↳Too detailed: You see problem solvers
↳Too rebellious: You see change makers
↳Too different: You see market disruptors
↳Too distracted: You see pattern seekers 
↳Too restless: You see early entrepreneurs 
↳Too energetic: You see next-gen creators
↳Too challenging: You see thought leaders
↳Too unconventional: You see trailblazers 
↳Too chatty: You see relationship builders
↳Too argumentative: You see future lawyers
↳Too persistent: You see determined spirits
↳Too many questions: You see curious minds
↳Too unfocused: You see future multi-taskers
↳Too many ideas: You see serial entrepreneurs 
↳Too intense: You see passionate future leaders
↳Too much imagination: You see tomorrow's inventors 

What's your superpower?
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
--

♻️ Repost to help others see things from a different perspective
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9 Habits That Reveal Your Emotional Intelligence

(And simple ways to grow them daily)

"Some think emotional intelligence is about big gestures or reading minds" 
Wise words from my friend, Mike Leber. Mike has shared some awesome insights about how you can improve your EQ with small improvements daily. 

The truth? It shines in the smallest quiet everyday actions.

Here are 9 ways it shows up and how you can cultivate it:

1. You Pause Before Responding to Feedback
↳ A brief pause instead of instantly defending yourself speaks volumes.

2. You Encourage with Depth
↳ Saying, “That’s a great idea - tell me more” sparks trust and collaboration.

3. You Respect Silence
↳ Allowing moments of quiet when someone needs time to process shows care.

4. You Adjust Your Tone
↳ Matching their mood - softer for stress, brighter for enthusiasm - builds connection.

5. You Own Your Mistakes
↳ Saying, “I dropped the ball - here’s my plan to fix it” earns trust.

6. You Notice the Unspoken
↳ Spotting a forced smile or slouched posture and gently checking in shows awareness.

7. You Shift Gossip to Growth
↳ Turning negativity into solutions with, “What might help here?” changes the tone.

8. You Validate Without Words
↳ A nod, a smile, or supportive eye contact makes others feel heard.

9. You Treat Yourself Kindly
↳ Being compassionate to yourself during tough times fuels resilience.

Emotional intelligence isn’t about perfection. 

It’s about the small, mindful actions that build trust, connection, and impact.

Practice these small steps daily, 
and watch how your influence and impact quietly grow.

Which habit will you focus on today?
Let me know in the comments! ⬇️

♻ Repost to inspire others to grow their EQ.
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Habits that reveal your EQ

18 Brutal Life Lessons

That no one told you about:

These touch on a few topics:
- Personal Development
- Mental Health
- Career Growth

Thank you to my friend, Chris Donnelly for this phenomenal and hard hitting summary of a lot of things we should know but often don't.

1. Life is unfair. 
Accept that and immediately you will feel more free. 

2. Understand what true freedom is. Freedom isn’t about money. 
Freedom is about the ability to choose what you do with your time. 

3. No one owes you a chance. Create your own.
You can be talented and hardworking, but that doesn’t mean people will just hand you opportunities. 

4. Being "busy" doesn’t mean you’re progressing. It’s easy to fill your day with tasks; the hard part is doing work that actually moves you forward.

5. Only you are responsible for your own outcomes and your own happiness.

6. Critics are always loudest from the sidelines. 
People who’ve done nothing will criticise you for trying. 
Remember, they’re not the ones in the game.

7. Not everyone will support you in becoming a better version of yourself. 

8. Every 20-year-old wants to be a millionaire. 
Every millionaire wants to be 20 years old. 

9. Whenever you think you have a mountain to climb. 
Don’t let the mountain overwhelm you, think one step at a time.

10. Success and failure are both temporary. 
Don’t get attached to either. 
One blinds you with pride, the other drowns you in doubt.

11. Balance is not the end goal. 
Balance is transient and you should seek experiences that contribute to an exciting and fulfilling life. 

12. You can’t control people’s loyalty. 
The only loyalty you can rely on is your own commitment to yourself and your values.

13. Be brave enough to look like a beginner. 
Limiting yourself to what you have always been good at will stop you exploring a whole new world of opportunity. 

14. In life, it really is you vs you. 
Try not to get caught up in the frenzy of comparing yourself to others or keeping up with the world's expectations. 

15. Small habits make the biggest changes. 
Transformations don’t happen overnight; 
they come from daily, unremarkable steps no one else sees.

16. The best ideas arrive in the shower and not in the boardroom. 
True creativity comes from mental clarity, solitude and freedom. 

17. Your environment shapes you. 
If you want to change your outcomes, change your environment.

18. Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. 
It can take years to build and seconds to destroy. Guard it carefully.

What's your greatest piece of life advice?
Share it in the comments ⬇️

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18 Brutal Life Lessons that no one told you about

The year of bold transformations. 

Which brands nailed it and which didn’t?

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Rebrands of 2024

2024 was a year of rebrands as brands faced mounting pressure to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting cultural, economic, and digital landscape.

Companies sought to modernise their identities, connect with evolving consumer values, and differentiate themselves in increasingly competitive markets.

From heritage brands embracing bold new looks to tech giants refining their digital presence, rebranding emerged as a key strategy for driving relevance and future growth in 2024.

🟢 RSPCA
A shift towards active, inspiring language and imagery aligns with the rebrand's new behavioural goals.

🟢 Twitch
The rebrand added bold colours, 3D effects, and vibrant graphics to make the platform exciting and fresh, perfect for the platform's dynamic and inclusive community.

🟢 The Dinner Ladies
The Dinner Ladies rebrand balanced warmth and sophistication while keeping its heart beating.

🟢 NYBG
The rebrand unified a global presence with local charm, using organic, bespoke typography and vibrant colours and shapes to celebrate its botanical essence.

🟢 Manischewitz
The rebrand revitalised its traditional identity with playful typography and bold packaging, expanding its appeal to a younger, more diverse audience.
It doubled down on owning orange.

🟢 Toledo Museum of Art
The rebrand integrated local heritage and dynamic, modern visual assets, creating a cohesive identity that resonates with diverse audiences.

🟠  Jaguar
The rebrand alienated loyal customers by abandoning its heritage of elegance and performance in favour of abstract and polarising visuals. Where is the cat?

🔴 Paypal
The redesign lacked originality, which weakened its identity of trust and reliability.
Where is the personality and distinctiveness?

🔴 Ocean Spray
The new logo is not an improvement, and the packaging confused long-time customers and reduced shelf visibility.

What makes them successful or a flop? 
Clear strategy and ownable, distinctive assets

What was your favourite rebrand of 2024?
Share in the comments below  🔽 

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PS: DM me for a more detailed brand break down of each rebrand.

The Good, the brad, the ugly: Rebrands of 2024

Yesterday I broke my 127 days Linkedin streak. 

🔴 Why did I break?
🧠  Needed some headspace to think about my goals 
🧠  Focused on what I really want to talk about and why
🧠  Needed a break from the growing cynicism on Linkedin
🧠  Realised I was starting to post for the sake of posting to keep up my streak

Truth is, consistency is essential but it isn't everything.
I needed to work out why I loved Linkedin in the first place. 

🔴 What I love about Linkedin
↳ Linkedin is an amazing tool to learn and share knowledge
↳ I want to meet amazing people and grow my network
↳ I want to grow my businesses

So what can I LEARN and SHARE?

✅ LEARN
1/ Personal growth and mindset
2/ Building amazing cultures
3/ How to be a great boss
4/ Building communities
5/ Personal branding

✅ SHARE
1/ Branding expertise
4/ Entrepreneurship
3/ Effective design 
2/ Marketing 
5/ Sharing what I'm learning on the job

How do you use Linkedin?
I'd love to hear in the comments below. 

♻️ Reshare to help your network focus
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Stop doing these 7 hidden habits that kill your potential. 

Here are the quick fixes you can do instead. 

Thank you to the awesome Helene Guillaume Pabis for highlighting these 7 hidden habits many of us do. Being aware of these going into 2025 will help us act with more purpose and be more effective. 

Starting the day with no objective
↳Lack of direction leads to inefficiency.
↳Set daily priorities for focus.

Fear of failure
↳Avoiding risks means missing opportunities.
↳Embrace failure as a badge of honour.

Consuming instead of producing
↳Because it’s passive.
↳Produce. Write. Cut that wood. Take your paintbrushes out.

Hide from admin
↳Delays pile up tasks and stress.
↳Start small and tackle key tasks early.

Comfort zone dependency
↳Growth stalls without new challenges.
↳Push yourself to try new things regularly.

Perfectionism
↳Even if you aim for it, you’re probably not perfect.
↳Shipping is queen.

Negative self-talk
↳Self-doubt slows progress.
↳Write down small wins.

Which of those hidden habits are the most present in your life?

Which hidden habit are you going to drop? 

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Stop Killing Your Potential

21 Behaviours That Will Make Others Respect You More:

Great list from Chris Donnelly to help frame your 2025.

1. Be kind to people you have nothing to gain from. Treat everyone with dignity.

2. Admit when you're wrong and own it fully, without the excuses.
 
3. Invite quieter people into group discussions, ask for their input directly.
 
4. Compliment someone’s hard work or skills in front of others. Public praise is powerful.
 
5. Defend those who aren’t in the room. Speak up for others when it’s right.
 
6. Ask the name of the cashier or server, and use it. A little recognition creates warmth.
 
7. Give your full attention in meetings, close your laptop and make eye contact.
 
8. Offer your seat to someone elderly or struggling on public transport. Simple, direct kindness.
 
9. Encourage others to speak their minds and genuinely consider what they say.
 
10. If you cancel plans, offer a concrete alternative. Don’t just drop the ball.
 
11. Hold off from sending non-urgent emails after work hours. Respect personal time.
 
12. Apologise when you’ve hurt someone. Don’t wait for them to come to you.
 
13. Bring a gift or thoughtful gesture when attending a dinner at someone’s home, it shows respect.
 
14. In a conversation, summarise what the other person said to show you’ve really listened. This builds trust instantly.

15. Be honest about what you don’t know. Admitting your limitations builds credibility.
 
16. Give people the benefit of the doubt before assuming bad intent. Approach situations with empathy.
 
17. Share a good book with someone you know would appreciate it, it shows thoughtfulness.
 
18. If you’re running to grab food or coffee, ask those around you if they’d like something as well.
 
19. Send a quick message to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, just to check in.
 
20. Lead by example in all areas, especially the small things. Consistency earns respect.
 
21. Maintain your privacy and respect others’. Don’t overshare or pry into matters that aren’t yours.

How you treat others says a lot about your character.
Be a good person and good things will happen.

Which behaviour would you add to the list?
Let me know in the comments ⬇️

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21 Behaviours that will make others respect you more

5 Lessons from Severance live in NYC

This is perfection. 🤌🏼

Apple’s taken Severance to Grand Central, turning a pop-up into a live performance masterpiece. THE actual actors are inside a glass case, acting out scenes IRL, blurring the line between fiction and reality. 

It’s bold. It’s brilliant. And I'm obsessed.

Here’s what we can all learn:

1/ Merge Worlds, Blow Minds
🧠  Apple’s blending TV fiction with real-world experiences. 
🧠  The result? Instant buzz and a surreal moment no one can ignore.

2/ Location Is Everything
🧠  Grand Central = iconic + high foot traffic. 
🧠  Picking the right spot guarantees your stunt gets the right audience.

3/ The Power of Spectacle
🧠  Put actors in a glass box, and people will stop
🧠  Create something unforgettable, and the internet will do your marketing for you.

4/ Tease, Don’t Tell
🧠  This stunt doesn’t just promote Severance, it pulls you into its world. 
🧠  It’s a teaser that builds hype without giving too much away.

5/ Make the Audience Part of the Show
🧠 This activation isn’t passive, it’s participatory. 
🧠  Fans aren’t just watching; they’re stepping into the Severance universe.

Did anyone notice Ben Stiller in the background filming in any of the snippets you saw?

♻️ Share the hype
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Boundaries aren't barriers,

They're foundations for sustainable success.

January is always a rough month, 

often leaving you feeling out at sea with no life jacket. 

"Ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down."

This year don't let the water get in. 

Here are 5 actionable tips for maintaining boundaries and positivity in January:

🆘
1/ PROTECT YOUR MORNING RITUAL
🛟 Start with intention, not reaction
🛟 First hour is for you, not your inbox
🛟 Create a non-negotiable morning routine
🛟 Set your energy before setting your schedule


🆘
2/ MASTER THE POSITIVE NO
🛟 Be brief but warm in declining
🛟 Offer alternatives when possible
🛟 "No for now" instead of "maybe later"
🛟 Remember: No is a complete sentence

🆘
3/ DESIGN YOUR ENERGY MAP
🛟 Schedule rejuvenation breaks
🛟 Protect your battery like your phone's
🛟 Identify your peak performance hours
🛟 Block focused work during high-energy times

🆘
4/ CREATE JOY ANCHORS
🛟 Keep a wins journal
🛟 Schedule weekly highlights
🛟 Plant daily micro-celebrations
🛟 Make pleasure non-negotiable

🆘
5/ SET SUSTAINABLE STANDARDS
🛟 Regular reality checks
🛟 Progress over perfection
🛟 Build habits that energise
🛟 Realistic goals with flexible timelines


How are you keeping your energy up in January?
Answers in the comments below ⬇️ 

♻️ Reshare to help others during this cold and dark January
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