Tod Norman - Planning Partner
I am from Arizona, and the tie that I am wearing - a 'bolo' tie, made by a Native American tribe - is one I bought for my father with my very first pay check back in 1970. He was a brilliant, inspirational, and iconoclastic man who, when told he had to wear a tie while teaching in classrooms with temperatures over 40 degrees centigrade, found an elegant solution to the challenge.
Creating 'elegant solutions' has become my personal goal.
Why?
Because without providing real, tangible solutions to clients' immediate direct response needs, than all the elegant thinking in the world is just hot air.
But tactical solutions without elegance - or the thinking, insight, and strategy that leverages and builds a brand - can undermine long term brand (and business) value.
I have developed this philosophy through working in UK marketing agencies since 1984 - in quantitative and qualitative research, above the line advertising, brand consultancy, and direct marketing. I've worked across a wide range of sectors, from cars to computers, from charity to alcohol. I've got a good track record in NPD and B2B, B2C and C2C.
But my Dad gave me the template.
