Why is the next wave of trust and attention not from 22-year-olds with ring lights but from 62-year-olds with credibility? Influencer marketing has always been framed as a young person’s game. Scroll any platform, flip through a brief, sit in on a pitch — the faces of influence are glossy,
Forget the hype cycle. The most quietly innovative minds in your company are older than you think, and they’re already using AI in ways you’ve failed to see. She’s not on LinkedIn posting prompt hacks. She’s not in your AI talent tracker. But she is, quietly,
There’s a generation you’ve probably never heard of. They’re not quite Boomers, though they grew up in the wake of post-war optimism. They’re not Gen X, though they came of age in the same era of cynicism and cassette tapes. They’re something in between -
By 2050, individuals aged 50 and older are expected to account for 60% of consumer spending in 60 of the core 76 economies worldwide. This demographic’s spending is projected to reach nearly $96 trillion globally by 2050, highlighting their significant role in the global economy. As a brand, an
John Waters once said, “If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them.” Now, I’m not here to give dating advice, but if you’re thinking about the future of work, AI, and leadership and you don’t have this book, well…
Why Gen X's 60th Matters More Than You Think Unlike their Boomer predecessors, Gen X brings a unique perspective to their sixth decade. They were the first generation to embrace personal computers, navigate the dawn of the internet, and adapt to social media. They've been digital
As many of you have read, I am a big believer that 50 is the new mid-career, give or take. Now, I didn’t figure this out until I approached 60, and was concerned about what I was going to do with the second half of my life, should I
As someone who has been observing consumer trends for years, I can't help but think about one of the most influential and often overlooked demographics in today's market - the aging consumer. I have started paying attention to the immense power and potential of this group,
The Newsletter That Gets Better With Age.
I turn 61 in a few days. It’s a strange number. Not round enough to celebrate, not dramatic enough to fear. But so much has happened since my last birthday, that big hairy six oh, it sort of demands a pause. Sixty one. Not quite what I expected. When
Everyone says they “understand the customer.” But if your team is 32 and your customer is 62, you’re not understanding them. You’re just guessing. Not the fault of the team. Its an issue with leadership. When companies discuss “understanding the customer,” they often default to proxies. Personas, research
A quiet revolution is taking shape at the edge of the corporate radar. According to Forbes, 51% of workers over 55 say they are eager to learn AI tools. And yet, their employers are dragging their feet. No programs. No access. No structured learning paths. Just silence. It’s not
By 2050, individuals aged 50 and older are expected to account for 60% of consumer spending in 60 of the core 76 economies worldwide. This demographic’s spending is projected to reach nearly $96 trillion globally by 2050, highlighting their significant role in the global economy. As a brand, an
Every year, I return to the same rituals. I reread Dune. I clear out the clothes I haven’t worn, sometimes with relief, sometimes with regret. I change my shoe laces. I shave my face clean, only to remember halfway through it that I wear a short beard for a
Recently, I interviewed for a strategic leadership role at L'Oréal. A few weeks after the interview, I was told I was “more Poet than Peasant” and not selected for the role. More Poet than Peasant. Let me back up a bit. Periodically, headhunters reach out to me, as
There’s a lyric by The Killers that’s been on repeat in my head lately, because Dave Pell, the managing editor of the Internet, brought it up, in a different context, over on NEXTDRAFT: “Are we human, or are we dancers?” I think the band is amazing. And I
I Say Thank You to AI. It’s Not Weird, It’s Strategic.
When AI moves from being a tool to becoming a container for how you think, you don’t just outsource tasks—you encode judgment.
I've found two principles that have transformed my personal and professional life: optimism and generosity. This isn’t for everyone. (But it could be.) Lots of people just aren’t wired for this. I wasn’t, at first. I was always fearful of “giving away too much”, and
John Waters once said, “If you go home with somebody, and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them.” Now, I’m not here to give dating advice, but if you’re thinking about the future of work, AI, and leadership and you don’t have this book, well…
I first heard the word Wabi-Sabi over 40 years ago, while in design school. It wasn’t a buzzword then—just a whisper of an idea. A gentle challenge to the Western obsession with symmetry and shine. A way of seeing beauty in what was weathered, worn, and incomplete. The
