David Lidsky's Blog, page 86

The climate tech making retail smarter and more profitable

The next wave of retail innovation turns climate technologies into growth engines.

Retail is changing, but not because it wants to.

Why mission-driven brands build the strongest communities

Four ways to develop and incorporate mission as a strategic lever

In today’s business landscape, the most successful brands aren’t just selling products, they’re building movements. They don’t just fill shelves; they shape values. At Michael Graves Design, that shift didn’t happen all at once. It emerged gradually, as our commitment to purposeful, human-centered product design attracted something deeper than customers. It built a community and created competition.

Struggling with creativity? You may be Googling too much, says new study

The internet may be a well of ideas—but it can also get in the way of a good brainstorm session, according to research from Carnegie Mellon University.

We can all agree that the internet is an never-ending repository of information. But new research out of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has found that, in some cases, “Googling” can get in the way of a good brainstorm session and actually hinder creativity.

NASA’s next frontier is Netflix

This summer on Netflix, viewers will be able to watch a NASA channel featuring live rocket launches, space walks, and mission coverage.

NASA has sent astronauts to the moon, flown scientists through hurricanes, fetched asteroid debris, and launched a program to clean up space trash. Its next mission? Streaming on Netflix.

Hilton CMO talks brand swagger, AI — and the pause that refreshed

In this exclusive interview, Mark Weinstein shares how the global hospitality brand escaped the industry’s post-pandemic “sea of sameness” to ride “For The Stay” FTW.

The COVID years were an existential threat and reckoning for many in the hospitality and travel industry. But Hilton used it as an opportunity to reset.

‘You can do anything if you got money’: The Diddy verdict sparks internet uproar

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering, igniting fierce online backlash and debate.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges on Wednesday, following an eight-week federal trial. The verdict immediately sparked a wave of reactions online, ranging from disbelief to outrage.

‘Defy what’s expected’: How Apple’s ad agency creates impact

In this exclusive interview, TBWA\Media Arts Lab’s leaders reveal the secrets to their decades-long relationship with the $3 trillion brand.

The 28-year relationship between Apple and TBWA/Media Arts Lab is one of the longest, most successful partnerships ever forged between a brand and ad agency. And it’s not even close to slowing down.

Psychologists now know exactly what makes someone cool. Turns out, the definitions are universal

In a global study over four years, researchers discovered that people who are seen as cool share similar traits in countries around the world.

The definition of “cool” would seem to be an ephemeral thing. (We’re not talking temperature here. We’re talking James Dean, Serena Williams, and Arthur Fonzarelli cool.) What inspires one to admire another would ostensibly vary from person to person.

Why showing your work is the new mark of great design

AI’s rise is cheapening the creation process—brands need to differentiate themselves.

As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous, products that reveal the time, care, and judgment behind their creation will offer a powerful point of emotional and commercial differentiation.

Why biology is our most powerful technology

Nature has the resources to collaborate to address many of our needs.

Every living organism, from the simplest microbe to the tallest tree, contains a library of genetic information refined by billions of years of evolution. This biological data dwarfs even our most advanced digital systems. Nature has been running the ultimate machine learning experiment since life began, optimizing solutions for survival, efficiency, and adaptation at a scale we’re only beginning to comprehend.