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TOUCAN TIDBITS 36: Foolish Ideas Ignite Innovation, Humour, Good Feelings & Spice Up Your Life.

Your weekly round up of all the cool things we've found, talked about and been inspired by this week

Marketing Director
17 Oct
 
2024

Our week ending 18 October...

FOOLISH IDEAS THAT IGNITE INNOVATION:

Tech entrepreneur, Vinod Khosla, shares his perspective on the transformative potential of “foolish ideas” for the future of technology.

Khosla shares 12 ambitious predictions for technology that challenge the status quo and inspire us to dream bigger. From preventative medicine that could revolutionise healthcare, to car-free cities that prioritise human connection, his ideas remind us that true innovation often begins with what seems impossible. Imagine a world where planes fly us from New York to London in just 90 minutes, opening doors to unprecedented opportunities and experiences.

What strikes me most about Khosla’s vision is the underlying message: abundance is not just a possibility; it’s within our reach. As storytellers, we have a unique opportunity to harness this optimism and translate it into compelling narratives that inspire action. By embracing “foolish ideas,” we can create stories that ignite imaginations and motivate our community to think outside the box.

Unlock the future! Discover 12 bold tech predictions that could redefine our world and inspire your next creative leap (9 min watch).

Discovered by - Sally Nettleton, Co-Founder / Head of Content & Culture

GOT A GOOD FEELING?:

Life is full of ups and downs. Instead of viewing happiness as a future goal, consider it a feeling you can access anytime with minimal effort.

There is a phrase, "Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey." This means you shouldn’t be aiming for one big goal of being happy, it means that happiness is a state of being that occurs at different moments all the way through life. Some moments are very intense, some less so. The interesting thing is, when we remember good feelings from the past we revisit that happy state in the present.

In this blog post from The London Psychiatry Centre offers numerous, practical ways to boost your mood in just five minutes.

Read here for strategies to get you into a good feeling fast! (1 min read)

Discovered by - Sally Nettleton, Co-Founder / Head of Content & Culture

HUMOUR X SUCCESSFUL MARKETING

A recent article on the impact of humour in advertising struck a chord with me and sparked exciting conversations within our team. The stats are compelling: research from Oracle reveals that a whopping 90% of consumers are more likely to remember a brand that uses humour, and 72% prefer brands that make them laugh. In fact, 80% are more likely to make repeat purchases from brands that keep the humour flowing.

These figures underscore a powerful truth: humour doesn’t just sell—it sells exceptionally well. Interestingly, while humour seemed to take a backseat during the COVID era, its decline in advertising began long before. According to Kantar, the number of lighthearted ads has steadily dropped since the early 2000s, with only 33% of ads in 2022 being considered lighthearted. Yet, the tide appears to be turning.

The recent Cannes Lions Festival and the 2024 Super Bowl showcased humour’s resurgence, with three-quarters of winners using it to connect with audiences. Why the shift back to laughter? We live in a world rife with division, and humour offers a much-needed bridge. In these polarised times, we crave shared experiences that unite us, and humour does just that.

Today, 40% of Gen Z and 35% of millennials turn to social media primarily for funny or entertaining content, showing just how valuable this shared joy can be. Let’s not forget the power of humour. By weaving laughter into our narratives, we can foster connections and make our stories memorable.

Discover the secret power of laughter in todays marketing landscape, read here (2 min read)

Discovered by - George Tubb, Marketing Executive / Intern

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE:

Old Spice is a brand from the 1930's but thanks to a campaign from 2010 it probably doesn’t feel like it to you. The challenge back then was for Old Spice to be relevant to a younger generation, and the campaign, The Man Your Man Could Smell Like was the result.

Driven be a key insight: 60% of body wash purchases are made by women, it was designed to provoke a conversation between couples. It launched online Super Bowl weekend and on television shortly thereafter, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” quickly went viral.

The Old Spice guy talks directly to the ladies. It's well written, quotable and funny with a leading man the audience couldn't get enough of.

Watch here (30 seconds)

Discovered by - Sally Nettleton, Co-Founder / Head of Content & Culture

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We would love to know anything Brilliant, Brave, Kind, or Magical that's going on in your world that you'd like to share... we may even feature it in next weeks issue.

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Toucan are a full-service London creative agency specialising in strategic and creative storytelling across brand strategy, campaigns, communications & experiences.

If you would like help getting your story straight, you can book a time in here with Alex Redfarn, Strategic Partnerships Manager.

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