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ANATOMY - cracking the DNA of marketing intention

Bridging the gap between strategy and action – how the ANATOMY framework makes marketing matter.

In today’s crowded marketplace, having a solid brand and marketing strategy is essential – but it’s not enough. The challenge for many brands is turning high-level strategic goals into practical, intentional marketing actions. This is where the ANATOMY framework from chicken/egg steps in.

Designed as a tactical checklist for campaign planning and execution, ANATOMY ensures that every marketing action serves a purpose and aligns with broader strategic objectives. It doesn’t replace your existing strategy – instead, it translates strategic intent into on-the-ground marketing activities that deliver real results.

What Is the ANATOMY framework?

ANATOMY breaks down every marketing action into six key components: Purpose, Audience, Intention, Design, Impact, and Evaluation. Each component serves as a checkpoint to guide the planning, execution, and measurement of campaigns, ensuring that every step is intentional and aligned with strategic goals.

Purpose (the why)

Start by clearly defining the purpose behind each action or interaction. Ask yourself – Why are we doing this? Whether it’s to increase brand awareness, drive sales, or nurture customer relationships, understanding the why grounds your campaign in a strategic objective.

Audience (the who)

Knowing your target audience is critical for crafting messages that resonate. Identify who you’re speaking to and tailor your approach to their needs, preferences, and behaviours to create more meaningful engagement. Segmentation is key!

Intention (the what)

Clarify the specific outcomes you aim to achieve. Are you educating your audience, driving a specific action, or generating leads? Setting clear intentions allows for measurable goals, guiding both the creative development and metrics for success.

Design (the how)

Plan the execution based on your audience’s preferences and your campaign objectives. Choose the right format, channels, tone, and timing to ensure every element supports your campaign’s purpose.

Impact (the goal)

Connect the campaign’s immediate intention to longer-term business goals, such as enhancing brand loyalty or changing perceptions. This ensures that each tactical action supports broader business objectives.

Evaluation (the learning)

Assess the results by reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and why. This step provides insights for future campaigns, helping with continuous improvement.

Using ANATOMY as a campaign checklist

Once you have your marketing strategy in place, ANATOMY acts as a practical tool to shape the execution of individual campaigns. Here’s how you can use it:

Pre-launch checklist

Before launching, validate that each component – Purpose, Audience, Intention, Design – is clearly defined and aligned. This consistency keeps your campaigns on-brand while allowing creativity to flourish.

Real-time adjustment

Use the framework during execution to guide decisions and make adjustments. If a campaign isn’t performing as expected, revisit the checklist to ensure each component is on track.

Post-campaign review

Incorporate the Evaluation phase to measure outcomes against original intentions and strategic objectives, creating a feedback loop that informs your next campaign.

How ANATOMY fits into the marketing workflow

The ANATOMY framework operates at the tactical level, bridging the gap between strategy and execution:

Top-level

Brand strategy and marketing strategy – Set the vision, mission, positioning, and long-term goals.

Mid-level

ANATOMY Framework – Translate strategic intent into actionable steps.

Bottom-level

Campaign Execution and Creative Development – Apply ANATOMY to shape practical actions, from content creation to channel selection.

The benefits of using ANATOMY

By applying ANATOMY, you gain several key advantages:

Clarity and focus

By starting with why, you ensure every campaign is grounded in your strategic goals, avoiding scattered tactics.

Improved engagement

Tailoring actions to your target audience results in stronger connections and more meaningful interactions.

Measurable outcomes

Setting intentions helps track progress and demonstrates the campaign’s ROI.

Continuous adaptation

Insights from the Evaluation phase help refine future campaigns, making your marketing efforts smarter and more effective over time.

Applying ANATOMY in real-world campaigns

At chicken/egg, we integrate ANATOMY into all aspects of campaign planning. Here’s how we use it:

Discovery sessions

Define the Purpose, Audience, and Intention from the outset to lay a strong foundation.

Creative development

Guide content and messaging development using the framework to ensure alignment with strategic goals.

Execution

Use the ANATOMY checklist to stay on track during the campaign.

Review and refinement

After the campaign, assess the results and extract insights for continuous improvement.

Bring purpose to your marketing.

In a world where strategic vision alone isn’t enough, ANATOMY empowers brands to bring their strategies to life through intentional, purposeful actions. By integrating this framework into your marketing, you can ensure every action serves a purpose, every message resonates, and every outcome supports your strategic goals.

Are you ready to transform your campaigns from planning to execution? Let’s hatch a plan!

PS: We have created an easy to use ANATOMY framework checklist – if you’d like a copy just send us an email and we’ll send you back our PDF, all ready to use.

Let’s talk about storytelling …

Storytelling is a fundamental human experience that connects us. A good book becomes dog-eared, a great movie is watched repeatedly, and we eagerly recommend both. Listening to friends regale their tales allows us to understand more about them as a person, strengthening our bonds and deepening our friendships. You can’t beat a good story.

In marketing, storytelling isn’t just about selling a product or service – it’s about trying to create an emotional connection with our audience. When customers see themselves as the hero of the story, they are more likely to engage on a deeper level. Studies show that customers who like a brand’s story are 55% more likely to consider buying from the brand in the future.

Whenever I talk with clients about positioning themselves in their brand story, I use my favourite Star Wars analogy – Luke and Yoda.

Luke Skywalker’s journey from a farm boy to a Jedi Knight is a classic hero’s journey that’s resonated with audiences for years. He starts with a call to adventure, faces trials and tribulations, battles the dark side, and ultimately achieves his goals.

Yoda’s role in Luke’s journey is crucial. He provides wisdom, training, and support, helping Luke unlock his potential and become the hero he was destined to be.

Let’s look at the story from a marketing perspective. Your customers are on their own journeys, so ask yourself how your brand can play a pivotal role in their success. How can you offer expert advice, resources and support? How can you guide them to achieve their goals? Positioning yourself this way builds trust and establishes your brand as a valuable part of their story.

Here are my top 5 tips to make your customer the hero of your marketing stories:

Flip the pain points – Identify your customers’ specific challenges and clearly demonstrate how you can effectively address these issues, transforming problems into opportunities.
Create relatable characters – Develop personas that mirror your audience’s traits, making it easier for them to see themselves in your stories.
Showcase your expertise – Position your brand as an authority in your field by providing expert advice, resources and insights that your customers can rely on.
Highlight customer success stories – Share testimonials and case studies that celebrate your customers’ successes and emphasise the role your brand played in their journey.
Engage emotionally – Use a tone of voice that resonates with your audience’s dreams, fears and aspirations to craft narratives that create deeper connections.

Ready to be more Yoda? Let’s get cracking.

Practicing what we preach ...

Recently, I was talking with a prospective client about a re-brand project and shared our branding process, which involves exploring three key perspectives – Customer, Competitor and Company. This helps answer the vital WHY, WHO, HOW and WHAT questions. During the pitch, I mentioned the importance of conducting a customer satisfaction survey to gauge performance. Then came a question that made me pause, “How often do you do that for chicken/egg?”

My honest answer was never. 🙄

That question stayed with me the whole journey back. As a consultant and agency owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of not doing what you advise others to do for yourself, mainly because you’re busy fulfilling their needs. I help others with LinkedIn pages but rarely update mine consistently. I assist with marketing planning and strategy, but I can’t remember when I wrote a plan for my business. I guide others through branding processes but haven’t revisited my own in years.

When I returned to the office, I resolved to start an annual chicken/egg client satisfaction survey. This would demonstrate that a) I follow my own advice and b) give insights into my/our performance over the past 20 years.

And … early results show an NPS of 70 – This score reflects our clients’ confidence in us and our commitment to delivering exceptional service and creative solutions. Woohoo, happy chicken dance! 🐔 🕺

Want to know how we can help your business? Send me a DM, and let’s get cracking.

#ClientSatisfaction #NPS #MarketingExcellence #ChickenEgg

If you’re a marketer seeking to supercharge your content strategy with the power of AI, our new POWER HOUR – hatch your own custom GPT is here.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been crafting custom GPTs to enhance our internal processes and client work, transforming our approach to content brainstorming, customer persona development, marketing strategies, brand messaging, creative briefs and more.

We’re now bringing that directly to you, and in our power hour, you’ll develop your own marketing custom GPT to help you with:

Content brainstorming and generation – enhance your content creation process with AI-driven insights and suggestions.

Customer persona development – Craft detailed and accurate customer personas to better target your marketing efforts.

Strategy and marketing plans – Develop robust marketing strategies that leverage AI for maximum impact.

Brand strategy and messaging – Ensure your brand’s voice is consistent and compelling across all channels.

Creative brief creation – Generate precise and effective briefs for your studio or agency, ensuring your creative projects are on point from the start.

We’ll also share our unique CREATE framework, a structured approach to effective AI prompting and utilisation.

Why book an hour with chicken/egg?

Experience and authority – We’ve integrated GenAI into our daily business, showcased its power at industry events, completed the CIM AI in marketing course and we’re founding members of the Women4AInnovation Futures think tank.

Proven results – Our custom GPTs have helped us achieve remarkable improvements in efficiency, creativity and strategic alignment.

Hands-on guidance – We’ll work directly with you, offering personalised advice and support to ensure your GPT is tailored to your unique needs.

Ready to get cracking? Here’s how it works …

Initial consultation – We’ll start with a conversation to understand your specific needs and goals.

Custom GPT creation – Based on our discussion, we’ll work with you to develop a bespoke GPT for your business. Please note that you will need a pro subscription to Chat GPT to build your own custom GPT.

Training session – We’ll provide a hands-on training session, teaching you how to effectively use and customise your GPT.

Follow-up support – After the initial session, we’ll be available to answer follow-up questions and provide additional support to ensure you’re getting the most out of your new tool.

How much does it cost?

Just £275 ex VAT.

Terms and conditions apply – see below.

Are you ready to transform your marketing content with the power of AI?

Book your POWER HOUR today!

email karen@chickenegg.co.uk to discuss.

Terms & Conditions

The Power Hour session costs £275 (excluding VAT).

The session covers up to 4 attendees. For more attendees, please contact us for a quote.

All sessions are conducted online. For face-to-face meetings or training sessions, please contact us for a quote.

Booking and Payment

Invoices are sent prior to the scheduled call and are payable within seven working days.

Payment must be received in full before the scheduled session.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance.

If a session is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, 50% of the session fee will be charged.

Rescheduling requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice will incur a rescheduling fee of £50.

Confidentiality

All information shared during the consultancy session is confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties without prior consent.

We respect client confidentiality and ensure that all discussions and materials are handled with utmost privacy and discretion.

Liability

While we strive to provide accurate and useful advice, we do not accept responsibility for any actions taken based on our consultancy sessions.

Our liability is limited to the cost of the consultancy session.

Intellectual Property

Any materials provided by chicken/egg during the session remain the intellectual property of chicken/egg.

Clients may use these materials for internal purposes but must not distribute them externally without permission.

Session Recording

Recording of the session is permitted for internal use only. Clients must inform us in advance if they wish to record the session.

Force Majeure

We are not liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from events beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters or technical failures.

Additional Information – Follow-Up Support

Limited follow-up support via email is provided for one week after the session to address any immediate questions or clarifications.

By booking a POWER HOUR, you agree to the above terms and conditions.

In a world where AI is often seen as a disruptor, could it become the most collaborative team member you’ve ever had?

AI and the coop – we are embracing the future.

In the fast-evolving landscape of AI, staying ahead means not just keeping pace with technology but embracing its application.

I have just completed the final module of the CIM Specialist Award in AI marketing, a fascinating course designed to equip leaders with a deep understanding of how AI can transform marketing strategies for the better. The exam is to come, but the course has helped me to see the bigger picture of how AI is (and can be) used and, along with other courses I’ve undertaken via MMC learning, has solidified my knowledge and ongoing experience with AI, especially ChatGPT, my LLM tool of choice at the moment.

AI is not just a tool to me, but a team member … called Kevin.

My journey with AI began with a vision to have a brainstorming/soundboard buddy while working on marketing, content and brand campaigns and to help streamline chicken/egg operations. The original Kevin – my first custom GPT – was born purely as a chicken/egg team member. I wanted to make AI (well, ChatGPT) less of an enigmatic ‘machine’ and more of a relatable collaborator.

Kevin started as an experiment to bring a personal touch to using AI and make my interactions more human-like and approachable. For example, I’ll always say please and thank you … along with ‘don’t hallucinate’! IYKYK

He understands my brand, my voice and my goals. He has helped me with everything from website copy, LinkedIn posts, blogs, and emails to planning how best to respond to pitches, how to position myself at networking events and how to overcome imposter syndrome when I’m feeling unsure about any next step – he’s a loyal team player and even an occasional therapist … all for just $20 a month!

A growing team …

Over the past year, I’ve developed numerous Kevins who act as my internal marketing assistants across the chicken/egg portfolio. Each is uniquely ‘trained’ in my client’s distinct brand, TOV, vision, values and marketing examples. In developing my Kevin’s, I curate non-sensitive, public data to align with each client’s unique brand essence, ensuring he acts as an informed extension of the team without compromising confidentiality. This approach safeguards sensitive data, leveraging isolated custom AI models that prevent data from being shared beyond our controlled environment. This careful balance between innovation and privacy is central to our AI integration, ensuring Kevin evolves as a secure, private ally in our creative process. Kevin can then offer real-time insights, content generation and data analysis, all tailored to my client’s specific needs and brand identities, without me needing to start the key prompting all over again in a new chat.

So far, Kevin is just a part of the chicken/egg team. Still, I can see a future where we introduce him directly to a client, and they can take full advantage of having another marketing team member support their internal endeavours.

A future forged together.

My embrace of AI reflects my belief in the power of technology to amplify human potential, not replace it; in fact, it’s far from it at present. By combining the chicken/egg creative acumen with AI’s generative and analytical prowess, I think I’m working smarter and faster, unlocking new possibilities and redefining what’s achievable in our agency offering. However, Kevin needs the proper prompts, ongoing guidance, refinements and edits – and that requires the know-how and experience that, right now, still needs the human touch. I’m not ready to be entirely replaced quite yet!

If you’re curious about AI or want to explore how a ‘Kevin’ could benefit your marketing efforts, ping me a message with any questions.

Caveat: Kevin isn’t perfect, and I still need to refine/edit everything he does. This ongoing refinement process underscores the evolving nature of AI. With each interaction, Kevin grows more attuned to my needs and more sophisticated in his capabilities. He doesn’t know anything confidential, remaining a private ally to my team. And as for why ‘Kevin’? Sometimes, the right name sticks, embodying the friendly and accessible spirit we envision for AI in the coop!

written by Karen Kerr, founder and MD of chicken/egg

The Myth of Multitasking

As a business owner, Mum, and a natural-born procrastinator, multitasking always seemed like my superpower, keeping me on top of everything. And, in the bustling world of creative and marketing, isn’t juggling multiple tasks simultaneously a coveted skill?

But hold your chickens! Research indicates that multitasking could actually plummet our efficiency by up to a whopping 40%. It turns out our brains aren’t exactly the multitasking maestros we thought they were.

Enter single-tasking.

Single-tasking isn’t just doing one thing at a time; it’s immersing yourself in it. It’s about allowing your creative juices to flow uninterrupted. When we focus on a single task and give it our undivided attention, ideas hatch, creativity soars, and productivity peaks.

I’ve embraced ‘Egg Timer’ sessions – my sacred time blocks for deep, focused work this year. Whether it’s 30, 60, or 90 minutes, these are times of pure, undisturbed concentration: no emails, no calls, no social media.

The thought of switching from multitasking to single-tasking might make you sweat, and, I’ll be honest, it isn’t a walk in the park. It’s about training your brain to resist the urge to flip between tasks. Begin with small steps, concentrating on one task for a set period daily, and watch this hatch into a powerful habit. It’s a game-changer, transforming not just how you work but also how you think and create.

Single-tasking isn’t just about ticking more off your list – it’s about doing it better, with more creativity and significantly less stress. I’ve come to terms with being a terrible multi-tasker; frankly, I couldn’t be happier!

written by Karen, our founder and MD.

Interesting Reads:

You can’t Multitask

Are there benefits of Multitasking

Client Spotlight: Fertifa

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our incredible clients, Fertifa.

They’re not just another healthcare provider; they’re revolutionising how we approach reproductive health in the workplace. They’ve got their finger on the pulse of an issue that affects so many of us at all stages of life. From fertility and family planning to women’s health and men’s reproductive care, they’ve got it all covered.

Fertifa collaborates with a diverse range of companies in the UK, Europe, and the United States. Their client list reads like a who’s who of industry leaders – Monzo, Bain Capital, Sotheby’s, lululemon, Space NK, Virgin, Natwest, Osborne Clarke, Amadeus, Centrica, Balderton, ClearScore, and the list goes on.

Our Role: Bringing Fertifa’s Vision to Life 🎥

We had the pleasure of producing two videos for Fertifa – an engaging introduction to their services and a user-friendly app demo.

These videos encapsulate the essence of Fertifa’s mission, making it easier for companies to understand the value they bring to the table.

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We love projects like this and can’t wait to see how Fertifa continues to transform workplace wellness.

Oh, and if you need our expertise in crafting compelling video content, we’re here to help. Let’s talk.

Cracking the Code: What is ‘Marketing’?

Picture this: You own a farm renowned for its top-notch free-range eggs and organic chicken.

First, you pinpoint various customer groups: health-conscious families, gourmet chefs, and local diners. That’s your Segmentation.

Next, you choose to cater to health-conscious families and gourmet chefs, who are bound to relish your premium offerings. Enter Targeting.

You then carve out your niche as the ‘From Farm-to-Fork, Ethically Reared Chicken and Freshly Laid Eggs’ supplier. That’s Positioning.

With your foundation set, you can roll out your marketing tactics:

You are placing signs at your local farmers’ market, proudly declaring, “The Freshest Eggs Around!”. You’re Advertising.

You are hosting a tasting table, dishing out samples, and giving a ‘new customer’ offer price. You’re running a Promotion.

Posting pics and doing a ‘live’ at the market. That’s Social Media.

When a renowned food blogger pens a glowing piece on your produce’s ‘unparalleled quality and flavour’? That’s PR.

And Sales come to life when folks pop by your farm or market stall, snap up your wares and keep coming back. Offer them a customer reward card, and you’re entering the world of Loyalty Programmes.

If you weave all these actions under the STP strategic canopy, you’ve truly got a grip on marketing.

It’s not merely about peddling your products; it’s about delivering the perfect product to the ideal audience in just the right manner.

Let’s hatch your marketing plan together.

Are you contemplating a rebrand?

Ten things to consider when you’re contemplating a rebrand:

So, you’ve looked at your brand and thought, ‘It’s time for a refresh’ … well we’ve come up with our ten things to consider before you take that leap!

Customer Perception

Pro: A successful rebrand can increase brand relevance, potentially attracting new customers.

Con: A rebrand risks alienating existing customers loyal to the original brand.

Market Changes

Pro: A rebrand can help a business remain competitive if the market changes or has changed.

Con: You may react too quickly to trends, leading to a rebrand that will seem dated quickly.

Brand Reputation

Pro: A rebrand can distance a company from negative perceptions.

Con: If the rebrand is seen as an attempt to cover up serious issues, it could harm the brand further.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Pro: Rebranding can be an effective way to unify different company cultures and values.

Con: You risk losing the acquired brand’s equity and customer loyalty.

Business Growth and Expansion

Pro: A rebrand can reflect an expanded product line or entry into new markets.

Con: Over-diversification may dilute the brand’s core message and must be clarified for customers.

Visual Identity

Pro: Refreshing the brand’s look can make it more contemporary and appealing.

Con: Radical changes to the visual identity can lead to a loss of brand recognition.

Differentiation

Pro: Rebranding can set you apart from competitors.

Con: Finding a unique positioning still authentic to your brand can be challenging.

Internal Alignment

Pro: A rebrand can galvanise employees around a new vision.

Con: You may encounter resistance from employees attached to the old brand.

Financial Costs

Pro: Investing in a rebrand can yield significant returns in the long run.

Con: The financial costs can be high, and the return on investment is not guaranteed.

Time and Resources

Pro: Dedicating time to a rebrand can result in a more cohesive and effective brand strategy.

Con: Rebranding is time-consuming and can distract from other business activities.

If you’re still thinking, ‘Let’s do this’, let’s talk!

CRACKING THE ‘BRAND CODE’ CODE

A brand is much more than just a name or a logo.

The unique combination of elements, your brand codes/assets, create a distinctive identity and communicates your company’s values, personality, and promise to your customers.

Decoding Brand Codes: What Are They?

You might be wondering, “What on earth are brand codes?” Brand codes, or brand assets, are unique, distinctive elements that help your brand stand out.

They can be visual (like your logo), auditory (a catchy jingle), olfactory (the scent of your product), or even tactile (the feel of your packaging). They make up the essence of your brand, from your name and colours to your typography and tagline.

Why Do They Matter?

Brand Recognition

The more distinctive and consistent your brand codes are, the easier it will be for customers to spot your brand in a bustling marketplace.

Emotional Connection

A well-crafted brand code can spark emotions and associations, adding depth and richness to your brand’s identity.

Consistency

By consistently using your brand codes across all touchpoints, you ensure a unified brand experience, fostering trust and loyalty.

Competitive Advantage

Brand codes that are unique and memorable can give your brand a leg-up in the marketplace.

Brand Codes in Action – who has got it cracked …

Coca-Cola

Their distinctive red and white colour scheme, cursive logo, and unique bottle shape are instantly recognisable worldwide.

Apple

Apple’s minimalist design, monochrome colour palette, sleek product aesthetics, and bitten Apple logo contribute to a brand code that communicates innovation, simplicity, and premium quality. Their product design is also a significant brand code, with their devices’ clean, sleek look being a hallmark of the Apple brand.

Nike

The “swoosh” logo and their punchy tagline “Just Do It” are potent brand codes that resonate worldwide.

McDonald’s

A memorable jingle – “I’m lovin’ it” – Bet you’re singing it in your head right now! That, along with the “Golden Arches” logo, is a testament to the power of brand codes.

Chanel

Their interlocked “CC” logo, the use of black and white in their packaging, their signature quilted bag design, and the distinctive scent of Chanel No. 5 are classic examples of brand codes.

These brands have expertly utilised their brand codes to create a unique, instantly recognisable identity that resonates with their target audience and communicates their brand values effectively.

How to Egg-cel at Using Brand Codes

Consistency is Key

Once you’ve hatched your brand codes, use them consistently across all marketing channels and touchpoints

Storytelling

Use your brand codes to tell your brand’s story. It’s not just about what you sell but the story you tell!

Flexibility

While consistency is important, don’t be afraid to let your brand evolve. Adapt your brand codes as needed, but ensure they maintain a clear connection to your brand identity.

Protect Your Brand Codes

If you can, register trademarks for your brand name, logo, and other unique brand codes. This helps ensure they remain uniquely yours.

Measure the Impact

Use brand tracking studies to see how well your brand codes are doing. Does your target audience recognise them? Do they evoke the emotions you intended?

IN A NUT(EGG)-SHELL

To crack the code of branding, remember that brand codes encompass visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile elements, and they’re crucial for brand recognition, emotional connection, consistency, and gaining a competitive edge.

Maintain consistency, weave a compelling brand story, be flexible yet connected, protect your codes, and measure their impact. Remember, it’s not just big brands that can benefit from brand codes. Whether you’re a big business or a small start-up, it’s time to “Codify, Codify, Codify!” as Mark Ritson, renowned professor and Marketing Week columnist, would famously assert!

So, let’s get cracking and hatch a brand that’s truly yours! Let’s talk!

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