The Marketer’s Storybook: December 17, 2024
Welcome to The Marketer’s Storybook!
Once upon a time, I ran a newsletter called The Week In Marketing, which had a loyal readership but I felt lacked a bit of direction. So as the famous saying goes – every great story deserves a rewrite. After months of planning, I’m thrilled to introduce The Marketer’s Storybook – a curated mix of marketing news, inspiring campaigns, brand stories, and updates on my thought leadership and passion projects.
Here’s the plan: Each edition will unpack marketing’s most compelling stories, sprinkle in storytelling insights, and share lessons from the projects I’m working on. For now, you can find the newsletter on LinkedIn and at my blog JessicaGioglio.com, but I’m open to your recommendations for a stellar newsletter client.
Let’s dive in.
From My Storybook
2024 has been my “year of yes,” and wow, what a ride!
This past month has been a whirlwind. In Zagreb, I hosted a two-day brand storytelling workshop, plus a keynote and panel discussion for Hrvatski Telekom. The feedback still makes me smile – thank you for the LinkedIn love! Then it was off to Lisbon for WebSummit, where I reconnected with incredible marketing and tech friends and started planning my 2025 speaking calendar.
Now, I’m back in London, soaking up the city’s festive vibes. If this year has taught me anything, it’s the power of saying “yes” to new opportunities and the stories that unfold as a result.
This Week’s Marketing Stories
A curated mix of marketing insights and trends, each with a key takeaway to turn news into action. Posted in alphabetical order.
1. Adam Driver Turns Amazon Reviews into Theatrical Monologues
Amazon’s holiday campaign reimagines customer reviews with a hilarious, theatrical twist.
Key takeaway: Customer reviews are a storytelling treasure trove.
Watch here
2. Dior’s Scotland Documentary
Dior’s Dior in Scotland highlights the heritage and artistry behind its 2025 Cruise Collection.
Key takeaway: Immersive storytelling builds emotional connections between brands and their audiences.
Watch here
3. Google Chrome Sell-Off Could Reshape Digital Marketing
The DOJ’s recommendation for Google to divest Chrome could significantly disrupt advertising ecosystems.
Key takeaway: A more fragmented browser market may demand strategic agility but could also spark innovation and reduce over-reliance on Google.
Read more
4. Google Tightens Parasite SEO Policies
Google is cracking down on “parasite SEO,” which exploits website rankings for irrelevant, low-quality posts.
Key takeaway: Authenticity wins. Ensure all content is valuable, relevant, and reflective of your brand’s expertise.
Read more
5. Instagram Will Soon Let Users Reset Recommendations
Instagram is testing a feature that allows users to wipe their recommendation algorithms clean and retrain them.
Key takeaway: For marketers, this means creating fresh, engaging content that can attract attention even after users hit “reset.”
Read more
6. KFC Canada Turns Chicken Buckets into Vinyl Records
Playable vinyl records crafted from bucket lids? Yes, it’s a thing—and it’s brilliant.
Key takeaway: Nostalgia meets innovation. Unconventional ideas can surprise and delight customers.
Read more
7. Nokia’s Cyber-Thriller Miniseries
Nokia’s bold storytelling shines in a new campaign blending drama, humor, and tech innovation.
Key takeaway: Even complex B2B topics can captivate when framed with creative storytelling.
Watch here
8. OpenAI’s Sora Brings Text-to-Video AI to Life
OpenAI’s newly launched Sora enables users to create 20-second videos simply by typing text prompts. Available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro users, it also supports image animation and video remixing.
Key takeaway: Brands and content creators can experiment with Sora’s capabilities to craft unique, dynamic storytelling visuals for marketing campaigns.
Read more
9. Spotify Wrapped’s New Music Eras Feature
Spotify’s Wrapped introduced personal “music eras,” sparking both excitement and critique.
Key takeaway: Bold innovations may polarize, but they keep brands relevant and drive conversation.
Read more
10. TikTok Faces Potential Ban Amid Legal Challenges
A court ruled that TikTok’s Chinese ownership poses a national security risk, setting the stage for a forced sale or potential U.S. ban by January 19, 2025.
Key takeaway: Marketers heavily reliant on TikTok should prepare contingency plans to adapt if access to the platform changes.
Read more
11. TikTok Tests Product Links to Boost Shopping Credibility
TikTok now allows creators to embed third-party product links (Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.) directly into posts, streamlining the shopping journey.
Key takeaway: TikTok is making big moves in social commerce. Brands should test affiliate links and explore how the platform’s integrated journey can boost conversions.
Read more
12. WhatsApp Finally Tackles Business Spam
Users can now unsubscribe from specific business messages with new granular feedback options.
Key takeaway: Relevance and consent matter more than ever. Brands must focus on personalized, valuable interactions to retain trust.
Read more
Super Useful Links
🛠️ 2025 Trend Decks: Discovered via Nowism, Tom Goodwin’s awesome newsletter on LinkedIn. I’ve bookmarked it to dig deeper—so should you.
Explore here
My Stories: Remarkable Places & Experiences
Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the DK Festival in Rovinj, Croatia. While there, I stayed at the breathtaking Hotel Lone, a gem nestled on the Adriatic Coast.
In the spirit of sharing remarkable places, I’ve captured my experience in two ways:
🎥 YouTube: Watch the video here
📝 Blog Post: Read the blog here
If Croatia’s on your radar, you’ll want to check it out.
Unlock More of My Stories
🌍 Website: JessicaGioglio.com
Your one-stop shop for all my books, speaking engagements, and blog posts on marketing and storytelling.
📚 Books:
- The Power of Visual Storytelling: Learn how to shape a visual story around your brand using images, videos, GIFs, infographics, and more. Get your copy here.
- The Laws of Brand Storytelling: The definitive guide to using storytelling to win over customers’ hearts, minds, and loyalty. Grab it here.
📱 Social Media:
Let’s connect and keep the conversation going!
Until Next Time
Thank you for reading The Marketer’s Storybook. Whether you’re here for the latest marketing news or a touch of inspiration, I’m thrilled you’ve joined me.
Got feedback, ideas, or a story to share? Leave a comment or drop me an email – I’d love to hear from you.
Keep telling the stories that matter,
Jessica