Charlotte’s Musing

By Charlotte Williams, Co-Founder & Chief Content Officer at Brands&Culture

Hello, or Καλησπέρα (since I am writing this from the sunny, fertile climes of Greece).

Here we are again, about to enter the silly season. I’m reminded of this as my idyllic boat trip today ended with the crew blasting out Wham’s “Last Christmas” as we pulled into St.Paul’s Bay, Rhodes. It’s a banger of a song but… already…? Whilst this blared out of speakers from the ‘Calypso’ boat, spare a moment for the couple who were getting married in the Chapel of Agios Pavlos, a stone’s throw from the bay. As George (an indisputable Greek legend of course) was lamenting his unrequited love, a couple were exchanging their marital vows.

It was bizarrely incongruent and also quite laughable – for us, and hopefully a little for them. Somewhere here, I’m sure there’s a parallel to draw between brands who are too noisy, too bolshy and tone deaf all at the same time.

.Team B&C is looking forward to arriving in NYC for Brands&Culture US on November 5th. We know it’s a big week with contentious mid-terms looming and the mood in Webster Hall could be one of trepidation, disappointment or joy. But whatever November 3rd brings, we’ll be together and connected.

As well as hearing from 20+ senior marketing leaders, Brands&Culture NY features speakers from outside of the marketing echo chamber:

Akilah Hughes, Host of “What A Day” podcast; Author of Obviously: Stories from my Timeline will take real cultural signals moving during the event itself and read them in front of the room.

Bassam Tariq, Award-Winning Narrative and Documentary Filmmaker will be talking about how culturally specific stories reach public space without being flattened into representation or borrowed as aesthetic.

Author and Professor Dr. Marcus Collins will argue that culture isn’t something brands create through campaigns. It’s something they cultivate through shared beliefs, identity and belonging.

Join us all day (and into the evening) for a cornucopia of inspiration, connection and candid conversation. Viral Nation will be sponsoring a cocktail hour, and Walrus FM, aka Rob Hubbert from Super Okay, is going to be spinning tunes. Your ticket gets you the lot.