The
Toniq
June 25,
2025
2025
When to Drop the Needle: Timing, Trust, and the Power of Morale
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Morale isn’t the same as motivation. Motivation can be sparked by deadlines, bonuses, ambition, or the fear of failure. But morale is deeper. It’s emotional. It’s cultural.
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June 24,
2025
2025
The Need for Deed: Rediscovering Romance in Modern Brands
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Romance in branding doesn’t mean red roses and candlelight. It’s not about grand overtures or dripping sentimentality. Instead, it’s about the emotional architecture of a brand—how it makes people feel, what ideals it evokes, and how deeply it connects on a human level.
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June 23,
2025
2025
Absurd Branded Products: When Does Weird Actually Work?
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
But then—sometimes—you get a glimpse of a brand making an unexpected leap, one that has you saying, Wait, what? Why would anyone think that’s a good idea?
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June 20,
2025
2025
The Existential Backbone of a Brand, With Thanks to Kierkegaard
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
To him, truth wasn’t about reciting facts or adopting the right opinions. It was about committing to something so deeply that it reordered your life. It was messy, terrifying, and often inconvenient. But it was yours.
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June 19,
2025
2025
Hamlet’s Hashtag Strategy: What If Shakespeare Played the Marketing Game?
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Now, marketing isn’t the villain here. In fact, when it’s done right, it can help good stories reach the right people. But marketing has goals, and nuance isn’t always one of them.
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June 18,
2025
2025
Rebrand or Refresh? How to Know What Your Business Really Needs
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Sometimes a new logo or updated color palette is all you need to feel fresh again—a quick polish to show the world you're still paying attention. But other times, the problem runs deeper.
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June 17,
2025
2025
From Spalding to Nike: How Innovation and Authenticity Shaped Sports Branding
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Long before companies were using the term “brand” as we understand it today, Spalding intuitively understood that a product wasn’t just a product—it was a story.
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June 16,
2025
2025
Behind the Brand: How ThoughtLab Turns Strategy into Unforgettable Impressions
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
So while the world might see your logo and slogan, we’re the ones building the strategy, fine-tuning the messaging, and creating those invisible connections that transform a simple business into a powerful brand.
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June 13,
2025
2025
Beyond the Logo: How Sensory Branding Creates Lasting Connections
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
When we think of branding, we often focus on visual elements—logos, colors, and typography. But the most powerful brands go beyond visuals.
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June 12,
2025
2025
Make It Pop (But Subtle): Surviving Creative Feedback with Dignity
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
There’s a moment in almost every project—right after the pitch deck has landed, the mockups are up, and the silence has stretched just a beat too long—when a client breaks the tension with a classic: “Can we just… make it pop?”
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June 11,
2025
2025
Marketing in the Age of Maybe: Why We Buy What Makes Us Feel Right
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
That’s where brands step in—not just to sell, but to soothe. To offer a story, a stance, a sense of certainty in a world that won’t sit still.
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June 10,
2025
2025
The Fear Factor in Branding: How Marketers Use Anxiety to Drive Action
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Fear is one of the most primal emotions, and it’s also one of the most powerful motivators when it comes to consumer behavior. Brands have long recognized this, using fear to spark immediate reactions and prompt people to act quickly.
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June 9,
2025
2025
Bring Your Brand to Life: How to Craft a Persona That Connects
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
Just like humans, brands have personalities. And just like people, these personalities can vary widely. Some brands are confident and bold, while others are more laid-back and approachable.
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June 6,
2025
2025
Rebranding the Paperclip: How to Tell a Story About Anything
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
You can't market a paperclip with excitement. You can't pitch it with innovation. You can’t even use fear—there’s no disaster looming from a paperclip shortage.
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June 5,
2025
2025
AI and the Illusion of Connection: Why We Need to Be Careful with Digital Companions
By
Paul Kiernan
Paul Kiernan
But for some, the interaction with an AI chatbot can go too far, leading them into a strange online fantasy world that could bring them ruin.
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