Marketing Archives - chicken

Category: Marketing

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 – you can download a copy here:

Anatomy methodology_checklist

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.

The Captain & Crew of Marketing

In the vast sea of marketing, success hinges on two pivotal roles: the captain’s vision (Strategy) and the crew’s execution (Tactics).

Aye Aye Captain

The captain sets the course, determining the destination and charting the journey. The strategy is this vision, the overarching plan that defines where you’re headed and why.

All Hands on Deck

The crew brings the captain’s vision to life, managing the sails, navigating challenges, and ensuring the ship stays on course. Tactics are these actions, the specific tools and methods employed to reach the destination.

Smooth Sailing or Stormy Seas?

A ship without a captain drifts aimlessly, and a captain without a crew struggles to make progress. Similarly, without a strategy, tactics lack direction, and without tactics, a strategy remains unfulfilled.

Together, the captain and crew ensure a successful voyage. In marketing, uniting strategy and tactics guarantees not just a journey but a triumphant voyage.

We’re here to help you navigate the marketing waters! 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.

EVER WONDERED HOW TO WRITE A GOOD CREATIVE BRIEF?

HERE ARE OUR 10 ‘COMMANDMENTS’ TO HELP YOU CREATE A GREAT ONE THAT YOUR AGENCY (HOPEFULLY US!) WILL APPRECIATE …

1. Project Overview

Set the stage by providing a concise summary of the project. Describe the company, the goals, and the context – think of it as the opening chapter that captures the essence of what lies ahead.

2. Objectives and Deliverables

Define the objectives of the project in clear and measurable terms. What do you aim to achieve?

Then specify the desired outcomes and the specific deliverables you’re after, whether it’s a logo, website, whole brand identity, brochure, video etc.

3. Target Audience

Time to dig deep into the minds of the intended audience and tell us everything you know. Who are they, and what are their needs, desires, and preferences? Send us your customer personas if you have them.

4. Brand Personality

Every brand has a personality, just like we do! Describe the desired brand image and personality traits. Is it modern and edgy? Elegant and sophisticated? Playful and whimsical? The brand’s personality sets the tone for all your creative outputs. If you’re unsure, then we can always help you define your brand personality … maybe have a read of our brand archetype blog for some inspiration.

5. Key Messages

Define the core messages that the design should convey. These messages should align with the brand’s values and resonate with the target audience. Remember, words have power!

6. Design Guidelines

Specify any existing brand guidelines, colour palettes, typography, or other design elements that should be incorporated. Send your guidelines, logos, assets if it’s the first project.

7. Competitor Analysis

If applicable, conduct a thorough analysis of your competitors. This is especially helpful when working on branding projects – look at their visual identities and design approaches, what do you like, what don’t you like. How do they talk to your customers – what can you/we do better?

8. Project Constraints

Outline any constraints that may impact the project, such as deadlines, budget limitations, or technical requirements. It’s better to acknowledge them from the start than be caught off guard later!

9. Communication and Approval Process

Let’s establish clear lines of communication from the outset and define the workflow for feedback and approvals. Clarify who the key decision-makers are, who needs to be part of the sign-off etc. to ensure a smooth and efficient collaboration throughout the project.

10. Timeline and Milestones

Time is precious – on both sides! So, create a timeline that outlines the project’s major milestones, including design drafts, revisions, and final deliverable dates.

With these ten commandments you’ll possess the tools to develop a well-crafted creative brief – need help writing it? Then let’s talk!

The power of colour

Colour can evoke so many different emotions and feelings, it can create associations, and can even influence purchasing decisions so no wonder it is a powerful tool in branding.

It can help companies communicate their message and values to their audience plus create a visual identity that is instantly recognisable and memorable.

Colour can be used to influence consumer behaviour as it has a profound effect on the way we think and feel. It can make us feel happy, sad, angry, or calm. It can also make us feel more or less hungry, more or less energetic, and more or less confident – so pick your colour wisely!

Different colours have different associations. For example, red is often associated with love, passion, and excitement, while blue is often associated with calmness, peace, and trust. These associations can be used to create a desired emotional response in consumers.

For example, a brand that wants to create a sense of excitement might use bright colours like red and orange. A brand that wants to create a sense of calm might use soft colours like blue and green.

Each colour has its own unique meaning and triggers and below we’ll explore the common colours used in branding:

RED

The Colour of Passion and Energy

Red is a bold and powerful colour that can evoke feelings of passion, energy and excitement.

It’s often used in branding to grab attention and create a sense of urgency. It can also be seen as a warning and can even evoke feelings of anger or aggression, so use it wisely!

Brand example – Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola has been associated with the colour red since the 1890s, symbolising energy, excitement and passion, which are all qualities that align with the company’s brand values of happiness and fun. Additionally, red is a highly noticeable colour that stands out on shelves, making it an effective way to attract attention and compete with other soft drink brands. You know the brand is there before you even see it!

Coca-Cola’s use of red has become so iconic that the colour is now synonymous with the brand. The company has used the colour in countless advertising campaigns, and even decorates its delivery trucks and vending machines in the trademark shade of red.

ORANGE

The Colour of Fun and Playfulness

Orange is a vibrant and playful colour that can evoke feelings of fun and energy. It’s associated with warmth, happiness and excitement.

It’s often used in branding for products aimed at younger audiences, such as Fanta. The brand’s bright orange logo and packaging are instantly recognisable and help to communicate the brand’s fun and playful personality.

Another brand example – Orange (before it became EE)

Orange’s orange symbolised energy, enthusiasm, and friendliness, which aligned with the company’s brand values of being approachable and customer focused. Orange also wanted a colour that would stand out in the telecommunications industry, which was dominated by blue and green colours. They really did stand out in the market!

YELLOW

The Colour of Happiness and Optimism

Yellow is a cheerful and optimistic colour that can evoke feelings of happiness and positivity. It is associated with joy and creativity!

One example of a brand that uses yellow is McDonald’s. McDonald’s has used yellow as one of its brand colours since the early 1960s, it symbolises optimism, energy, and happiness, which are all qualities that align with the company’s brand values of being a family-friendly and fun brand.

The fast-food giant’s iconic golden arches are instantly recognisable and help to communicate the brand’s friendly and approachable personality.

GREEN

The Colour of Growth and Sustainability

Green is a calming and peaceful colour that can evoke feelings of growth, nature and sustainability.

It’s often used in branding for companies that value sustainability and the environment, such as The Body Shop. Green represents nature, sustainability, and ethical values, which are at the heart of the company’s brand ethos. The Body Shop is committed to using only natural and sustainably sourced ingredients in its products, and green is a colour that perfectly reflects this commitment.

BLUE

The Colour of Trust and Stability

Blue is associated with calmness, trust, and stability. It is also seen as a peaceful and calming colour that can evoke feelings of serenity and calmness.

It’s often used in branding for financial and tech companies, such as Barclays Bank and Facebook.

Brand Example – Barclays Bank

The brand’s blue and white logo and branding help to communicate the brand’s trustworthy and dependable personality. It represents stability, and reliability, which are key values in the banking industry. Blue is also a colour that is associated with intelligence and professionalism, which helps to reinforce Barclays’ position as a leading provider of financial services in the UK.

Brand Example – Facebook

As a social media platform, Facebook is responsible for handling a vast amount of personal data from its users, and blue is a colour that helps to communicate the company’s commitment to keeping that data safe and secure. We know it’s not always the case with Mr Zuckerberg – but his brand is designed to make us feel we can trust him!

Blue is a colour that is also associated with communication, and Facebook’s use of blue helps to reinforce the company’s role as a platform for connecting people and facilitating conversation.

PURPLE

Purple – The Colour of Luxury and Sophistication

Purple is associated with luxury, elegance, and sophistication. It is also seen as a creative and imaginative colour that can evoke feelings of mystery and magic.

Brand Example – Cadbury

Cadbury has used purple as its brand colour since 1914, allegedly as a tribute to Queen Victoria. it symbolised luxury, quality, and sophistication. Purple is also associated with creativity, imagination, and innovation, which aligned with Cadbury’s brand values of creativity and quality. Over the years they’ve battled many legal fights over their colour, so choose your brand colour carefully!

PINK

The Colour of Love and Care

Pink is a gentle and nurturing colour that can evoke feelings of love, care and warmth.

It’s often used in branding for products aimed at women and girls, such as Barbie. The brand’s iconic pink and white packaging helps to communicate the brand’s caring and nurturing personality.

Brand Example – Victoria’s Secret

Victoria’s Secret is known for its feminine and playful branding, which incorporates a range of pastel colours, including pink. The company uses pink to create a sense of romance, sensuality, and femininity, which aligns with its focus on lingerie and women’s beauty products.

In addition to its iconic pink packaging and shopfronts, Victoria’s Secret also uses pink in its marketing materials, product design, and social media content. This creates a consistent and recognisable brand identity that is instantly recognisable to customers. They use their brand codes well!

BLACK

The Colour of Power and Elegance

Black is a powerful and elegant colour that can evoke feelings of sophistication and class.

It’s often used in branding for luxury and high-end products, such as Chanel.

Chanel is known for its timeless and elegant branding. The company uses black to create a sense of sophistication, luxury, and high-end fashion, which aligns with its focus on creating high-quality and stylish clothing and accessories.

In addition to its iconic black and white logo, Chanel uses black in its product design, packaging, and marketing materials. This creates a consistent and recognisable brand identity that is instantly associated with luxury and high fashion.

WHITE

The Colour of Purity and Simplicity

White is a clean and simple colour that can evoke feelings of calm and tranquillity. It’s associated with purity and innocence.

It’s often used in branding for products that value simplicity and minimalism, such as Apple.

Apple is known for its branding, and it incorporates a lot of white space in its product design, packaging, and marketing materials. The company uses white to create a sense of simplicity, elegance, and modernity, which aligns with its focus on creating innovative and user-friendly technology products.

In addition to its iconic white products, such as the iPhone and MacBook, Apple also uses white in its marketing campaigns and retail store design. This creates a brand identity that is instantly associated with high-quality and innovative technology.

What does your brand colour mean to you?

And more importantly, what does it mean to your customers?

Need help developing your brand identity? Let’s talk!

Marketing vs Branding

One question that we’re asked a lot by small business owners is what is the difference between marketing and branding … and, which should come first?

Marketing and branding are closely related and both incredibly important. But they are not the same thing and there are some fundamental differences between the two.

Here’s our breakdown of the key differences:

Marketing:

Marketing is the process of promoting and selling your products, services or company.

It involves identifying and understanding your customer needs, developing a marketing strategy to reach those customers, and executing that strategy through tactics like advertising, PR, digital and social media.

Branding:

Branding is the process of creating a unique identity and reputation for your product, service or company.

It involves defining your brand’s values, personality, and purpose, and communicating that identity through visual elements like logos, colours and typography, as well as key messaging and storytelling.

While marketing and branding are quite distinct, they are both essential components of building a successful business. In fact, branding is often seen as a prerequisite for effective marketing. Without a strong brand identity and reputation, marketing efforts can fall flat or fail to resonate with your customers.

So, we believe that branding should ideally come first!

By developing a clear and compelling brand identity, you can then develop a marketing strategy that aligns with that identity and effectively reaches your target audience.

A strong brand can also help to differentiate your company from its competitors and create a loyal customer base, which can ultimately support the success of marketing efforts.

Need help developing your brand or marketing strategy? Let’s talk!

Brand vs Logo

When it comes to building a successful brand, it’s easy to get caught up in the design elements like logos, colour schemes, and fonts. But the truth is, your brand is much more than just a pretty visual identity. It’s about how your customers perceive and interact with your business.

At chicken/egg, we believe that developing a strong brand starts with understanding your audience. Who are they? What do they want? What are their pain points? By answering these questions, we can help you craft a brand experience that truly resonates with your target market.

Of course, we’re also happy to help with the more tangible elements of branding, like designing a logo that captures the essence of your business. But we always start with the bigger picture: what do you want your brand to stand for, and how can we bring that to life in every aspect of your business?

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Give us a call today and let’s start hatching some new ideas together.