The Push
The Push is a podcast for senior marketers eager to hear honest perspectives from peers who tell it like it is. We speak directly to your day-to-day reality and don't bother with superfluous tactics you don't need.
We understand that senior marketing is uniquely frustrating.
- You have to sell the 'why' more than any other department.
- You're held accountable for results beyond your control.
- You're forever dealing with non-marketers who 'know better than you'.
- Stakeholder politics, opinions, and “gut feelings” constantly get in the way.
- You're so busy dealing with stakeholders, there's little time left to conceptualise new strategies and hone your craft.
We bring together senior marketers to candidly share stories, analogies, strategies, and mental models they've used.
You can use these conversations to:
- Explain complex concepts to non-marketers.
- Get more client buy-in.
- Explore new strategy ideas.
- Better articulate your existing knowledge.
- Explain the 'why' behind your strategy.
- Keep your own team engaged.
- Better navigate marketing politics (which are inevitable).
- Remember that you're not alone in your experiences.
No empty buzzwords. No listicles. No generic advice.
Whether you’re in-house, agency-side, or a consultant, you’ll leave feeling empowered to speak up and lead with confidence.
The Push is hosted by Jack Ferguson, a Brand Strategist with 15 years of marketing and brand experience across 20+ industries.
The Push
S3 E52: How Play-Doh’s brand distinctiveness was discovered, not created
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Most of us remember Play-Doh from childhood, but few of us realise what makes it truly distinctive.
In this episode, Brand Strategist Jack Ferguson explores how a product known for its texture built enduring emotional equity through something far less obvious.
He explores:
- How a brand's strongest assets and true distinctiveness can emerge accidentally, and what that means for you
- The overlooked power of non-visual assets like smell, touch, and sound
- How brands like Play-Doh, AFL, and Coca-Cola encode sensory memories that last
- Why marketers should pay attention to how brands are felt, not just seen
- Why “transcending senses” may be the next frontier for brand distinctiveness
A thought-provoking episode for senior marketers who want to build brands that stick in memory, sometimes in ways we never planned.
Helpful Links:
Find Jack on LinkedIn Here: Jack Ferguson | LinkedIn
Find Jack's Website Here: Evidence-Based Brand Strategy & Marketing Consulting | Jack Ferguson
Visit The Push Website Here: For Senior Marketers...By Senior Marketers | The Push
Find The Push on LinkedIn Here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thepush
Find The Push on YouTube Here: The Push - YouTube
Find The Push on TikTok Here: TikTok - Make Your Day
Find The Push on Instagram Here: https://www.instagram.com/bethepush
Play-Doh Finally Launches Play-Doh For Adults
Hasbro Trademarks a Favorite Smell from Childhood: The PLAY-DOH Scent | Hasbro
Smells like victory: registering scent trade marks in Australia - Trademark - Australia
Meet the Exclusive Club of Trademarked Scents in the U.S.