As 2025 comes to an end, we’re looking back at the top #LongStoryShort newsletters of the year. Thanks for reading, and happy holidays from the Braithwaite team!
Mary Kay Gets Real
“Is Mary Kay still around?” The direct-selling skin care and cosmetics marketer, is answering questions like this and more in its new campaign titled “Miss Conceptions.”
The Summer the NFL Turned Pretty
Even if you haven’t seen “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you may have heard about it if you follow your favorite NFL team on TikTok.
Bombas and the Story of Socks
Bombas socks are far from the cheapest option. But the brand’s founders saw a need for more and better socks, and they built a value prop around making that matter.
AOL Hangs Up Dial Up
AOL has discontinued its dial-up offering, signaling the end of an era in internet history – and one of the most successful direct marketing campaigns of all time.
Taylor Swift and the Life of an Announcement
For the announcement of her 12th studio album, Taylor Swift did what no fan thought she would – she went on a podcast. For marketers, the strategy is a reminder that there are other mediums and platforms to share news beyond a traditional press release.
Booth Boots
The limited edition boots are cool, but their real marketing value is in the ability for both brands to reach new audiences.
Field Notes Finds an Audience
Field Notes notebooks have found an analog niche in an age of digital notetaking apps and tools. It has all the hallmarks of a beloved brand.
Marketing Scarcity – Middle Child and the Perfect BLT
For roughly a month every summer, the Philadelphia sandwich shop turns a simple summer sandwich (bacon, lettuce, tomato) into a marketing movement.
E-book: Writing Your Brand Story
Elevating voice, visibility and value through storytelling
Higher Education Executive Thought Leadership
Higher education is a unique space for executive thought leadership. College presidents and deans are reaching a wide audience – they’re showing up for students, alumni, staff, faculty, and entire communities. And they’re doing it in a world where the future of education and work is shifting fast, new technologies are rewriting how we learn, […]
All-Star Promotion and Timing
Conventional wisdom says you only get one swing to make a big splash with an announcement. But big news typically warrants a broader strategy across channels and touchpoints.
Marketing Lessons from Labubu
Labubus have become extremely popular of late – part “it” toy, part status symbol for celebrities and influencers.
Cereal Storytelling
With today’s digital marketing offerings, brands have chances to tell more complex and compelling stories across more channels.
How to Throw a 100th Birthday Party
Instead of letting its 100th birthday float by, the Goodyear Blimp threw what might be the most delightfully offbeat party of the year.
Steve Madden’s Shoes & Strategy
Long-form media opps are powerful when used intentionally. Even behind a paywall, content can break out with the right voice, the right clips and a strategic cross-platform strategy.
Smart Marketing – What Chewy Does When a Pet Passes
Chewy understands the power of connection, even in the hardest moments of pet ownership.
Marketing the Beach Boys
Brian Wilson, leader of the Beach Boys, died recently, leaving a legacy of a creative genius who reshaped the world of pop music. The Beach Boys didn’t just sell music, they sold a way of life through their California sound.