This Machine

We’ve launched a podcast. We absolutely weren’t going to launch a podcast. Because, let’s be real – you don’t need another one. If you want to use your commute to catch up on B2B marketing best practice and fundamentals, you’re spoilt for choice. But then we realised… in between the work that we do, we have a lot of interesting conversations at This Machine. The kind that happen spontaneously around the coffee machine, and in our internal idea-sharing sessions. These are the ‘quiet parts’ that clients don’t often get to hear, but are part of the fabric of agency culture. We chat about the knotty nuances of B2B marketing. We challenge the tired and over-relied-upon maxims. We throw weird and difficult questions at the wall – questions that might make us laugh, blush, or squirm. And then we thought… hang on, we’re a team of experienced broadcasters and content producers. We do audio storytelling. We do it for our clients. Why not take those ‘off the record’ chats and give them an entertaining outlet? That’s how our pod, The Quiet Part Loud came to be. Tune in for a frank look at some of the overlooked parts of B2B marketing and creative strategy that aren’t covered in the standard ‘how to B2B’ podcasts. We turn the volume up. And we aim to make it a cracking listen, with a blend of storytelling and expert discussion. Listen to the first episode here, where the team asks if the C-suite has a sense of humor, and if so, is there a place for funny in B2B? We hope you enjoy the first few episodes as much as we’ve enjoyed making them.

Gen-AI images. Customer trust. $15million race cars. How should B2B marketing best bridge the gap between business and customer? Each week, a member of our team poses a question for discussion. We challenge preconceived notions of industry thinking and innovations, push boundaries to inspire bold ideas and creative excellence and make our journey-driven content more meaningful, relevant, and aligned with our client’s customers. What do you think? Join us in the comments. #genAI #marketing #authenticity #journeydrivencreative #thismachine

This week, we're diving into some exciting creative and entertainment updates. Cosmos is a fresh take on Pinterest, designed specifically for creatives. It allows you to save anything from the web, create curated collections, and share your inspirations with friends, colleagues, and your network. Check it out: https://www.cosmos.so/ For all the music lovers out there, TIDAL just rolled out some new features that help artists track their royalties and manage the music they have songwriting credits for. As Agustina Sacerdote puts it, “If you want to be a truly artist-first company, you have to recognize that often, the main artist is the public-facing figure we associate with the track. But a whole ecosystem of collaborators and contributors makes the project happen.” More on TechCrunch: https://lnkd.in/g8AF_tdQ And for the gamers, Nintendo is hosting a Partner Showcase livestream this week (Tuesday, August 27 at 7am PT/10am ET) as part of their Indie World Showcase. No updates on the Switch, though. Watch it on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g5gr_5DN

As we delve into AI's vast possibilities, an intriguing and reflective trend emerges: Can AI make us more human? Can it enhance our connections rather than replace our emotions, behaviors, or creativity? With the Olympics showcasing the rise of the digital athlete, we're seeing AI's impact on sports. In the NFL, AI is being used to improve player safety. Check out how AI is rewriting the playbook for player safety in the NFL: https://lnkd.in/earCytxd While there's skepticism about AI tools replacing original content creation in the creative world, generative AI holds promise. It can enhance creativity by testing concepts, identifying potential biases, and driving innovation. Learn more about how generative AI can augment human creativity: https://lnkd.in/gK3T5sqj For more profound reflection, we're revisiting Brian Christian's book, "The Most Human Human: What Artificial Intelligence Teaches Us About Being Alive." This insightful read explores qualities that make us uniquely human, such as empathy, humor, and our capacity for complex thought and emotion. Discover more about the book: https://lnkd.in/gUxTmebW We invite you to share your explorations and insights from language and conversation to creativity and human connections. Enjoy the journey! #AI #Humanity #Creativity #Technology #Innovation #BookRecommendation #NFL #Olympics #GenerativeAI

There’s a buzz in our San Francisco office as we cheer on some incredible local teams and check out their cool merch. Here are three that caught our attention: The Oakland Ballers (https://lnkd.in/gddHUFeC) are bringing minor league baseball to Oakland. Their first game showed how passionate the Oakland community is with over 4,000 fans attending, proudly donning the new B’s logo. Home games are played at the historic Raimondi Park, which the Ballers are investing over $1.6M to renovate. Oakland Roots (https://lnkd.in/g6-sy5RD) and Soul (https://lnkd.in/gizHHTkM) are in their second season, and they're not just about the soccer (or football, if you’re from our UK office); they're about making a difference. The Roots and Soul Foundation makes grants to non-profits dedicated to empowering Oakland's youth. Bay Golf Club (https://lnkd.in/gKAfMtZz) is a powerhouse team joining the TGL, a new golf league founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Mike McCarley. The San Francisco-based Bay Golf Club is partially owned by local (basket) ballers Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Andre Iguodala. We’re always excited to see innovation and are even more inspired when it’s close to home. This summer, we’ll be going to games, and we hope you will, too!

In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're diving into and sharing some incredible community and brand experiences that have inspired us. Spread AAPI Love is on a mission to gather and highlight uplifting stories rooted in love. They showcase the resilience, cultural pride, solidarity, and strength that shine brightly within our AAPI communities. Check out stories from the community: https://lnkd.in/gxFW2Zhp Creative leaders review brands that create authentic AAPI experiences. A standout is Procter & Gamble's campaign, "The Name." It resonates deeply because it touches on a universal experience and celebrates cultural connections. For more on this and other impactful campaigns, visit: https://lnkd.in/gdQ63D4R And if you're into music and meditative sounds, you'll love Bravespace. It's a collection of original songs, sounds, and meditations created by Asian American women and non-binary artists and musicians, all curated by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Dive into Bravespace: https://lnkd.in/gsvgepCg Have a wonderful week!

We're excited to share some cool AI projects that caught our eye. Let's dig in… First, the Knowledge Exploder by Schema Design is an interest-based experience with AI-curated, connected topics. We got lost in exploration, in a good way. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/g6PaucNf Next, right here in our backyard of the Bay Area, the San Francisco Chronicle unveiled Chowbot. It's your AI foodie friend, sifting through tons of restaurant reviews to help you discover awesome local eats. Give it a try here: https://lnkd.in/gerq-2rw And in a surprising but fresh turn, LinkedIn has launched Games on LinkedIn. They're designing games to spark connections and conversations. Here's one of our favorites: Play here: https://lnkd.in/d369ETzF Wishing you a fantastic week ahead!

We’re #hiring a new Freelance Creative Account Manager in Greater London, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

What a game! Thank you to our incredible Marketing team—and everyone else on Team State Farm—for all the creativity and strategic thinking that went into our #AgentStateFarm movie premiere.   Our plotline was simple: spotlight the true superheroes, our 19K+ agents. And based off the reviews, it's safe to say… mission accomplished!   Hot off the press, we’re thrilled to learn that fans have voted us #1 in USA Today’s Ad Meter—the most well-known ranking platform for Big Game commercials. Our State Farm Marketing team worked tirelessly for months on end to make this 360-campaign a success. They consistently rose to the challenge in their efforts to make our slogan famous… and they did it all with the ‘good neighbor’ spirit that defines our brand. The impact they made is impressive, and I’m so proud. And special recognition to Alyson Griffin and Patty Morris for their fearless leadership. We couldn’t do this alone – our partners helped us bring every piece of this campaign together: Highdive, OMD USA, Optimum Sports, TMA (The Marketing Arm), Infinity Marketing Team, LLC, Creative License, FleishmanHillard, and This Machine. And of course, congratulations to Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City for last night’s win!   #OurStateFarm

Congrats to all! What a thrill.