Hardhat

If you really think about it, Halloween is such a strange phenomenon — humans have spent thousands of years creating civilised societies where we can feel safe, only to subsequently invent Halloween to scare the crap out of ourselves. Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why sane people enjoy scary stuff, and how Benign Masochism presents an opportunity to think about ways of dialling things up to 1,000. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/giAvXh2z Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

If you're in town for #SWSWSydney, come and join ADMA's regulatory expert Sarla Fernando and on Friday, 10.30am in lCC Sydney, Room C3.3 for BRILLIANT MARKETING OR DARK ART: ARE YOU CONVINCING OR CONNING YOUR CUSTOMERS? It'll be an interactive panel moderated by Rica Facundo from WARC, where we'll be tiptoeing the fine line between using behavioural economics to drive business outcomes and the nefarious realm of "dark patterns'. See you there!

Some big news today... I couldn't be more thrilled to announce that Hardhat is becoming part of Thinkerbell. I’ve known and respected Adam Ferrier, Margie Reid and the Thinkerbell team for a long time and when the opportunity to join forces came knocking, it was just too compelling to ignore. These people are truly some of the best to ever do it and I feel lucky to get to call them my new work buddies (colleagues?). Joining Thinkerbell means we get to turbocharge what we're doing creatively while getting the gift of PR, research and media at our fingertips. At the same time, we’ll add our world class CX offering to the Thinkerbell mix, allowing us to deliver Measured Magic for clients across the entire customer experience. Hardhat has been my baby for almost 20 years. I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve achieved, none of which would have been possible without the clients and staff who trusted me with their businesses, brands and careers along the way. Thank you all so much for believing. As for me personally, I’m only just getting started. As of today, I’m a partner at Thinkerbell and have taken on the role of Chief CX Thinker. The Hardhat crew is busy boxing up their worldly possessions and getting ready to move into the Thinkerbell South office, where there are definitely enough power points for everyone. We can't wait to host you down there. Between now and the end of the year we’ll be putting on a little par-tay to see Hardhat out in style so if you're a current or past Hardhatter, client or friend, stay tuned for details. It's truly the end of an era and I can't wait for the next one to start. 💛🙏🚀

🎉 We’re thrilled to announcer that our work for ENGIE, Kinetic, and Superhero have clinched the gold (and 1 silver) at the 2024 W3 Awards! 🎉 Engie: General Websites-Services & Utilities - Gold Website Features-Best User Experience - Silver Kinetic: General Websites-Transportation - Gold Superhero: General Websites-Financial Services - Gold A huge shoutout to our amazing team here at Hardhat for their hard work and dedication, as well as our clients for their continued support and trust in us! https://lnkd.in/gdJevFM4

Ratbag kids. Corporate criminals. Incessant jaywalkers. Everywhere we look our once civilised (demure?) society seems to be coming apart at the seams. Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why crime rates seem like they're perpetually on the rise, and how being easy to recall can help Challenger Brands blow up like a ponzi scheme (in the best possible way). #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gMQ-4u67 Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

It’s a Survivor-esque endeavour at times, enlisting Olympic-grade mental gymnastics to justify why you absolutely need to keep that once-pristine white basic Uniqlo tee that’s somehow yellowed into the colour of aged cheddar. Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why it's so hard to 'spring clean' our wardrobes, and how creating a premature sense of ownership can help Challenger Brands make walking away feel all the more painful, and closing the deal far more likely. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gmy-C5gY Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

To be fair, I could bust out a pretty good six step back in the day, but when did everyone else become an expert on Olympic breakdancing? Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why everyone seems to have become an Olympic breakdance critic overnight, and why Challenger Brands should slowly, gently offer guidance and information when faced with "premature experts", in order to help them realise there’s way more to consider. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gXb4VUWk Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

To be fair, I could bust out a pretty good six step back in the day, but when did everyone else become an expert on Olympic breakdancing? Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why everyone seems to have become an Olympic breakdance critic overnight, and why Challenger Brands should slowly, gently offer guidance and information when faced with "premature experts", in order to help them realise there’s way more to consider. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gXb4VUWk Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

As if the guilt isn’t enough, what about all of the future awkwardness these people are signing up for? Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why people go on holiday when they still owe us money, and why Challenger Brands that meet short term needs should lean on instant gratification, while those in the business of longer term benefits should look for — and if needed, create — short term hooks, goals or benefits. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gj2dY8pA Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m

As if the guilt isn’t enough, what about all of the future awkwardness these people are signing up for? Check out this week's issue of The Why to find out why people go on holiday when they still owe us money, and why Challenger Brands that meet short term needs should lean on instant gratification, while those in the business of longer term benefits should look for — and if needed, create — short term hooks, goals or benefits. #thewhy https://lnkd.in/gj2dY8pA Don't want to miss the next one? Subscribe at https://lnkd.in/gVHUMz8m