What to watch in 2023
1. Toys That Made Us on Netflix
Learning from the past helps us look to the future. This Netflix series brings some amazing stories of the rise–and occasional fall–of some of the world’s greatest toy franchises, such as Barbie and the ‘Star Wars’ line. Getting to know the people and the companies behind these billion-dollar ideas that impacted the lives of so many people offers inspiration for any creator.
– Diego
2. Explained on Netflix
This Netflix series explains all kinds of weird and wonderful topics in short, twenty-minute episodes. My personal favorite is “Your Skin,” but the whole series is worth watching. Not only would it be great if the public education system explained topics like this, but it’s also an inspiration for how marketers can explain serious or complex topics with a smart use of narrative and visuals. I highly recommend it for Creative Directors.
– Martyna
3. Never Too Small
Minimalistic living and making more conscious choices about what we buy and use are gaining popularity. However, if you are now working remotely on a daily basis, it also helps to have things in order and to be able to focus and work in a full-power mode without a cluttered environment leading to a cluttered mind. The ‘Never Too Small’ channel on YouTube showcases how to make the most of small spaces in a smart and creative way and improve your quality of daily living and work.
– Julia
4. Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj on Netflix
Comedy is a wonderful lens through which we can learn about current affairs, politics, and culture. This show deals with a diverse range of topics–such as Amazon, the Indian election, and protest movements–and is augmented with great data, graphs, and statistical analysis presented in a straightforward manner. It is a blueprint for how to deal with serious topics in an accessible way without diminishing their value.
– Camille
Reading recommendations
1. The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differently
Richard Nisbett’s book goes deep into how different social structures, philosophies, and educational systems have influenced how people think in different geographies–from ancient societies right up to the digital age. Whether you are a marketer working in a global team or creating materials that are used around the world, it will help you understand how different cultures think and then how to communicate with a diverse range of people more effectively.
– Klaudia
2. Homo Deus
Yuval Noah Harari’s book has long been a bestseller but it is still something of a hidden gem for many. Along with Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow” it is the one book that every marketer should read. It predicts what will happen in the future based on historic facts, human psychology, and our base drivers. It shows both the good and bad sides of each innovation and gives food for thought as we try to balance embracing technology with staying authentic and personal.
– Martyna
3. A staple diet of sci-fi
Our team repeatedly recommended sci-fi as inspiration for marketers. No wonder, as it is an entire genre dedicated to thinking beyond our daily reality and investigating outside of the box. Kasia recommended “The Hail Mary Project” by Andy Wier as a way of considering the limitations of possibility, while Aga has gone for the ultimate trilogy in four (or maybe five) parts by suggesting “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. One might say that successful digital marketing is a lot like successful flying in this quote from the book: “There is an art […] to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. … Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties.”
– Katarzyna & Agnieszka
Your must-listen list
1. Business wars by Wondery
This podcast takes an in-depth look at the famous rivalries between companies and organisations, which have pushed the world forwards. Over the course of several episodes of each rivalry, it delves into the economic and strategic decisions that people made to try and get ahead, as well as the innovations that appeared along the way. My favorite is the Nintendo vs Sony story, but there are hundreds of hours of listening about many of the head-to-head battles that have shaped our modern world.
– Camille
2. Marketing School
Not having enough time is no longer an excuse to avoid learning. With the right insight, even five minutes per day is enough to expand our marketing knowledge. This podcast discusses the most recent trends and changes affecting digital and online marketing. Experience is also no barrier, as there are lessons to be learned for beginners and seasoned professionals alike.
– Diego
3. Huberman Lab
Everyone deserves access to educational information, research, and data on science and health that is presented in a clean and digestible format. You don’t have to be into neuroscience or biology to enjoy the content created by Professor Huberman about these vital subjects. As a marketer, I like the “Explained” series, which sets a template for how even the most complex topics can be presented in an accessible manner if you have the right tone and format.
– Katarzyna
4. Philosophy Bites
Hosts David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton present a podcast that might change your mind about philosophy. They take a thoughtful view of some burning issues–such as mid-life crises, the role of education, or the concept of punishment–and attempt to explain them through philosophy. It’s food for thought that many of us can apply to our personal and professional lives once we understand more about the topics.
– Klaudia
Bonus content
If you are looking for something that is equally as inspiring but presents more concrete ideas for ad campaigns in the coming year, check out our bumper report on how fashion and sports brands can use data to improve business results.
If that’s not enough, Julia from our Marketing team recommended that you read “Infinite Jest” by David Foster Wallace. Just remember to never watch the film!
Do feel free to drop your own recommendations of inspirational content for digital marketing professionals. We’d love to hear from you!
