Messing with your brain

I had so many events (OM Conference, Bloovi Networking, Pitchday at KBC startit, etc etc) and talked to so many great people this week that my head felt like it’s going to explode! Thankfully, I was able to take a break at the seaside this weekend, which, in my opinion, is the most wonderful place to be in the fall. And there, you can just breathe—inhale, exhale, and slow down. Please do the same—take care of yourself, and remember to pause, breathe, and slow down when you need it.

➡️ Dopamine Design : is the next thing

Sometimes, I just need to give my brain a break. It feels like stimuli are coming from everywhere, and if the latest trends are to be believed, that’s not going to get better anytime soon because I spotted an interesting trend this week: Dopamine Design.

If you Google it, you’ll see that Dopamine Design actually started back in 2023, especially in interior design. But now, it’s making its way into supermarket shelves as well (or at least it’s started in the US and it’s coming our way apparently).

Dopamine Design is all about capturing attention really really fast. It’s bright, loud, playful, and unapologetically fun. The goal -they say- is to trigger a positive emotional response within milliseconds. We’re talking bold colors, eye-catching patterns, and designs that grab your attention instantly—because in today’s world of constant scrolling and swiping, brands like to win over your brain’s dopamine receptors in the blink of an eye. It’s a response to our (already) overloaded minds: in a world full of distractions, bright, bold, and playful designs cut through the noise. It’s a way for brands to stand out quickly and emotionally connect with consumers in a crowded market.

I can’t say I don’t like it—I love fun and playful! But it’s also loud and in-your-face, designed to make you feel something instantly. So if this is the trend, I might be needing more weekends at the seaside, I guess. :-)

➡️ BrandLove: World Mental Health day

I cried at yet another video this week. (Damn you, creators, for touching my emotions like that!) Not sure if you noticed, but last week was all about World Mental Health Day. Was it just me, or was there a lot of content around it? All I can say is, take the message from this video to heart. ( created in 2023)
Be kind to one another.
Be thoughtful towards each other.
Be loving to one another.

Or look at this Chinese campaign from 2015.
It’s called the Phone Wall - The More You Connect, The Less You Connect.
Damn.

➡️ Marketing ≠ Sales

After all the many social activities I had last week, I was feeling a bit cranky, which is why I posted this on LinkedIn. But here's a topic I really need to add to the hate list: so many people still use marketing and sales interchangeably, but they’re NOT THE SAME THING!

Marketing and sales are a dynamic duo.
Marketing sparks interest, tells the story, and builds a community,
while sales drives action, makes the pitch, and closes the deal.
When they work together, magic happens.
It's not about choosing one over the other—it’s about blending strategy and execution for maximum impact. 🚀

Never forget: marketing is about preparing people to buy from you whenever they are ready. Don’t push it.

I also like this one:

➡️ Just for fun

I received this video from Christel Dequinnemaere in my DM’s. For everyone who is already hating Linkedin … this is not helping. hahaha. But it’s funny. Watch it👇

➡️ To read and to listen

About LinkedIn: I met Nic Vermaut this week at a Bloovi Event. At first, I was wondering, where do I know this guy from? And then I knew—he’s a regular poster on LinkedIn, which is where I recognized him. I also remembered he’d written a book, and I have to say, the title is well found . Nic’s agency is called Well Communications, and his book (with a clever Dutch twist) is titled Wat Wel Werkt. Mihi. I haven’t read it yet, but it’s officially added to my list!

Last thing before I leave you to tackle the important tasks of the day. Yesterday, I went to see Chilly Gonzales at the Cirque Royale in Brussels, and I just have to share this: this man is truly an artist. It’s the second time I’ve seen him perform, and he’s an incredible entertainer, playing absolutely wonderful music. And then he said something that inspired me:

Always stay your creative self.
Don’t chase what sells well.
Go for who you are, and the rest will follow.
You have to be yourself and make the algorithm your bitch,
or the algorithm will make you its bitch.
Don’t let AI replace you.
Be original.
Be you.
*AI will never replace Chilly Gonzales.

x Ingrid