by Carla Johnson | Oct 19, 2026 | Creativity
In the fall of 2020, Taylor Swift had every reason to call it a year.She’d already surprised everyone in July with folklore, an album she’d made remotely with a new circle of collaborators. It was a hit. A big one. The normal move was to let an album have its moment...
by Carla Johnson | Aug 12, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
If you’ve perused the cereal aisle lately, you’ve noticed there’s a lot of choices. A LOT. Almost 5,000 to be exact. How does a newcomer like Surreal make a dent in a cereal universe that size? Ideally with celebrity endorsements. At least,...
by Carla Johnson | May 19, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
In every brainstorm I’ve been in, there’s a point when the room quits posturing and people finally loosen up. Maybe someone unbuttons their collared shirt. Or somebody kicks off their shoes. Sits criss-cross-applesauce on the floor and leans back to...
by Carla Johnson | Apr 20, 2026 | Creativity, Innovation
HKS Architects designed a skyscraper that’s actually a sky cleaner. Liquid Death turned water into a cult brand. Meadow reimagined the supply chain by repurposing the aluminum beverage can. Paper company Avery Dennison is reducing food waste. Diplo turned 5k...
by Carla Johnson | Jan 26, 2026 | Creativity, Curiosity, Innovation
I’m in Brussels maneuvering between people as I meander down the aisles of booths at the conference tradeshow. I’d just had coffee with someone who caught me as I stepped off stage. That’s when I bumped up against the Tony’s Chocoloney’s...
by Carla Johnson | Nov 3, 2025 | Communication, Creativity, Innovation, Sales
Back in the 1970s, McDonald’s faced a simple problem: people ordered burgers, but not much else. Sales had plateaued, and the company needed a way to boost revenue without changing the menu or raising prices. So they tried something new. They trained every employee to...
