How thoughtful marketing creates real results for people and businesses.

The past few months have felt overwhelming. From Black Friday to Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s resolution ads and AI-generated content flooding every platform, it has reminded me how much the digital world can feel out of control. I decided not to take part in any of it. Businesses do not need more noise. They need marketing that is human, meaningful, and grounded in real experiences.

AI has added another layer to this. Everyone is talking about fast growth and instant success, and meanwhile, we are more stressed, distracted, and, dare I say it, a little dumber. That is not the kind of marketing I believe in. I have never chased trends blindly, and I have never been hooked into promises of business coaches and influencers who say there is a hack for success. What has worked consistently in my business is asking a simple question: what do my customers and business community actually want and need? The answers are always there.

AI has its place, I use it for brainstorming ideas, testing frameworks, and giving feedback on my work, but I do not rely on it to do the work for me. I leverage my 20+ years of expertise, market consistently and sustainably, with the right messaging, and connecting and partnering with the right people. Being intentional about my approach is what produces real, sustainable results. That is the marketing I do. That is the marketing I teach.

A big shift is occurring. For many, the digital world is feeling increasingly overwhelming and ridiculously noisy. People are now seeking more human experiences and are moving towards:

• Community and meaningful connection
• Real-life experiences and in-person learning
• Access to people, not just content
• Insights and perspectives, not just value-based content

People want to see what’s real, not AI fakes or overly polished versions of you. They want to peek behind the scenes and get to know the real you and even the messiness. Social proof still matters, especially with new customers being cautious and wanting to know they can trust you and your business. That’s why I created Marketing Plan in a Day & Brand Photos and the Aligned Assembly Networking Breakfast over a year ago. People love the in-person experience because they get to spend time with me personally, connect with like-minded business owners, and be part of genuine conversations. They leave feeling inspired, with practical strategies and ideas that make sense for their business, all shared in a way that’s honest, unfiltered, and meaningful. No sugar-coating, no BS, just real learning, real connection, and real experiences.

My POV backed by research

This is my POV, informed by my experience and the shifts happening in marketing on a global scale. This is what businesses need to know and adjust to in 2026:

• People crave connection and real experiences. They want behind-the-scenes access, authentic stories, and in-person opportunities, not just digital content. MarketingProfs research shows experiential marketing drives deeper engagement than digital alone.
• Audiences feel overwhelmed online. Constant content and trends create stress. Over 60% of marketers report their audiences feel this way (HubSpot).
• Authenticity builds trust. Real human engagement matters more than polished messaging. Harvard Business Review confirms that consumers trust brands more when interactions are genuine.
• AI is a support tool, not a replacement. Using AI for creativity, feedback, and frameworks works best when guided by humans. Gartner highlights that AI performs best alongside human decision-making.

Marketing that balances human connection, strategic thinking, and smart implementation to drive sustainable results will always be the winning formula.

My approach is simple. I put humans and strategy at the centre. I balance an understanding of your customers’ needs with commercial goals. I focus on clarity, direction, and meaningful connection. That is how marketing works. In the long term, it creates growth that is measurable, sustainable, and impactful.

This philosophy is not just words on a page, it is my approach in action. Whether it's through my Marketing Plan in a Day and Brand Photos program, my strategy offerings, fractional CMO work, or workshops, I help businesses build marketing plans that are smart, strategic, sustainable, and human-led. AI and digital tools are there to support, not replace, human thinking.

As we move into the new year, let's be smart with technology and AI, but let's not forget the human element. Because it's the human insights, connections, and real-life experiences that make marketing meaningful and memorable.

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