About
Kai is a strategy leader that helps grow brands. He was recently named to the #Thinkers50…
Articles by Kai D.
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"The Big Game" this weekend isn't what's on TV...
"The Big Game" this weekend isn't what's on TV...
By Kai D. Wright
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I’m calling BS on the grand illusion within marketing...
I’m calling BS on the grand illusion within marketing...
By Kai D. Wright
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Why I wrote a book...on following the feeling
Why I wrote a book...on following the feeling
By Kai D. Wright
Contributions
Activity
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Ready to launch 🚀 You’re invited to support my book launch! It’s meant so much to me that so many of you are excited about my book, The…
Ready to launch 🚀 You’re invited to support my book launch! It’s meant so much to me that so many of you are excited about my book, The…
Liked by Kai D. Wright
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Thanks so much to the The Hollywood Reporter for this piece about Propper Daley and our work. While the headline makes it seem like it's all about…
Thanks so much to the The Hollywood Reporter for this piece about Propper Daley and our work. While the headline makes it seem like it's all about…
Liked by Kai D. Wright
Experience
Education
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Columbia University
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The program focuses on building critical, analytic and strategic skills for communications. Students master brand analysis and consumer behavior enabling them to develop complex, integrated communication plans in marketing.
Coursework included Corporate Communications, Market Research, Evaluation and Measurement, Delivering the Strategic Message, Integrated Brand Communications, and Leadership in Corporate Communications
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The Chicago School of economics teaches the behavior and decision-making on the part of individuals, business firms, and the government. Students leave with a strong respect for mathematics, models and theories that govern supply/demand, money/banking, predictive behavior.
Coursework included Economic Analysis, Statistics, Econometrics, Survey Analysis as well as graduate-level courses at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, University of Chicago Law School, and Dauphine…The Chicago School of economics teaches the behavior and decision-making on the part of individuals, business firms, and the government. Students leave with a strong respect for mathematics, models and theories that govern supply/demand, money/banking, predictive behavior.
Coursework included Economic Analysis, Statistics, Econometrics, Survey Analysis as well as graduate-level courses at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, University of Chicago Law School, and Dauphine Universitaire in Paris, France (semester abroad).
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Publications
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Certain Uncertainty: Leading with Agility and Resilience in an Unpredictable World
Wiley
About the Thinkers50 compilation book:
In Certain Uncertainty, renowned management theorist Des Dearlove delivers an exciting and illuminating discussion of how to build resilience and agility into our lives and businesses. As rapid and foundational change becomes ever more constant, a state of constant disruption increasingly becomes our new normal. Certain Uncertainty collects advice and fresh thinking from accomplished business leaders to help managers and executives navigate…About the Thinkers50 compilation book:
In Certain Uncertainty, renowned management theorist Des Dearlove delivers an exciting and illuminating discussion of how to build resilience and agility into our lives and businesses. As rapid and foundational change becomes ever more constant, a state of constant disruption increasingly becomes our new normal. Certain Uncertainty collects advice and fresh thinking from accomplished business leaders to help managers and executives navigate contemporary markets.
Forward by HBS professor Amy Edmondson (who coined psychological safety, teaming, and intelligent failure).
About My Chapter:
In my chapter, I discuss why every executive, employee, and entrepreneur needs a personal brand to thrive in the coming years, and how companies that encourage personal brands of employees will take-off on the community & authenticity rocket. 🚀
🔎 Read about:
5️⃣ the top five trends shaping the future of work (i.e., growing creator economy, Great Resignation, multiverse mania, ever-expanding media landscape, and digital transformation);
✅ why MrBeast is a blueprint for the modern creator, and how the creator class is disrupting both companies and categories by challenging business models and influence; and
5️⃣ the five factors separating you and a strong personal brand (i.e., lexicon, audio, visuals, experience, and culture)Other authorsSee publication -
Authentic Insights: The Culture Gap, Introducing Generation Divided
FleishmanHillard
About the global study:
Brands are finding themselves paralyzed in a landscape driven apart by culture wars, but new research released today by FleishmanHillard shows businesses must be braver in bridging these issues to stay culturally relevant without losing authenticity to consumers.
The latest study from FleishmanHillard, Authentic Insights: The Culture Gap, Introducing Gen D made in partnership with Columbia University’s Kai D. Wright, puts cultural issues at the heart of the…About the global study:
Brands are finding themselves paralyzed in a landscape driven apart by culture wars, but new research released today by FleishmanHillard shows businesses must be braver in bridging these issues to stay culturally relevant without losing authenticity to consumers.
The latest study from FleishmanHillard, Authentic Insights: The Culture Gap, Introducing Gen D made in partnership with Columbia University’s Kai D. Wright, puts cultural issues at the heart of the research report to further understand how brands can move out of paralysis on today’s most pertinent topics and find a path forward in closing the current cultural divides in society. -
Brand Activism in the Black Lives Matter Era
WARC
About the industry guide for brand and media leaders:
The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanized consumers, asking brands to define how they respond to racial injustice.
Brands are asking, what should they be doing now? How can they move forward in a way that's effective and provides empathy, earnestness and empowerment in their engagements with the Black community?
Guest-edited by Kai D. Wright — Columbia University Lecturer, Ogilvy Global Consulting Partner, Author and…About the industry guide for brand and media leaders:
The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanized consumers, asking brands to define how they respond to racial injustice.
Brands are asking, what should they be doing now? How can they move forward in a way that's effective and provides empathy, earnestness and empowerment in their engagements with the Black community?
Guest-edited by Kai D. Wright — Columbia University Lecturer, Ogilvy Global Consulting Partner, Author and Founder of blacklist100 — the WARC Guide to Brand activism in the Black Lives Matter era, compiles insights and learnings from prominent Black voices in the marketing community to help marketers navigate these challenges, and lead with purpose. It includes examples from leading brands including Procter & Gamble, Ford, Netflix, Levi’s, Visa, Ben & Jerry’s, Nike and Pandora, among others.
The Guide’s four chapters map out how the Black Lives Matter movement is intersecting with brands:
1. The movement reaches critical mass
2. What consumers want brands to do
3. Inside out — Doing work internally first
4. Internal work inspires external workOther authorsSee publication -
Justice & Brand Accountability
Ogilvy
About the whitepaper:
Justice is only achieved when the most vulnerable party is protected, made whole, and/or becomes better off. Justice demands that we radically transform the system. ‘We’ being the operative word. All of us. Everyday citizens, leaders, and beyond. And that includes brands. Racial inequity is both a collective problem to redress, and a shared responsibility to solve. The greater the resources, influence, and platform of any individual actor – the greater their…About the whitepaper:
Justice is only achieved when the most vulnerable party is protected, made whole, and/or becomes better off. Justice demands that we radically transform the system. ‘We’ being the operative word. All of us. Everyday citizens, leaders, and beyond. And that includes brands. Racial inequity is both a collective problem to redress, and a shared responsibility to solve. The greater the resources, influence, and platform of any individual actor – the greater their accountability.
Brands have played a meaningful role in pursuing justice in the past; in the #MeToo movement, in LGBTQ rights, and in gender equality. Once again, history is calling on brands to use their power, influence, and scale for social justice related to racial inequity.Other authorsSee publication -
Follow the Feeling: Brand Building in a Noisy World
Wiley
About the award-winning business book:
In Follow the Feeling, strategy advisor Kai D. Wright answers a critical question plaguing entrepreneurs, brand strategists, marketers, and leaders: how do you grow your brand in a noisy world? Analyzing 1,500 fast-growing companies from Alibaba to Zara, the Columbia University lecturer and Ogilvy global consulting partner unpacks five branding secrets. Starting with behavioral economic principles and ending with a new systems-based approach to brand…About the award-winning business book:
In Follow the Feeling, strategy advisor Kai D. Wright answers a critical question plaguing entrepreneurs, brand strategists, marketers, and leaders: how do you grow your brand in a noisy world? Analyzing 1,500 fast-growing companies from Alibaba to Zara, the Columbia University lecturer and Ogilvy global consulting partner unpacks five branding secrets. Starting with behavioral economic principles and ending with a new systems-based approach to brand building, Wright offers readers one metric that trumps the hundreds entangling brand value, feelings.
Honors & Awards
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2021 Distinguished Achievement
Thinkers50
Recognized amongst a new generation of business thinkers most likely to shape the future of business and business thinking whose work has the potential to challenge the way we think about management: https://bit.ly/3HKXM3V
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2021 Top DEI Advisor/Consultant
Business Insider
Named one of the top 13 DEI advisors for Fortune 500 companies: https://bit.ly/3O7pqbm
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2020 Thinkers50
Thinkers50
Named one of the top 30 business thought-leaders in the world to watch: http://bit.ly/2MGx2Ye
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2019 Best Business Book - Marketing & Sales
Porchlight
Named one of the top five best business books of 2019. Link: http://bit.ly/2TzVr2K
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2016 C-Suite Quarterly Next Gen 10
C-Suite Quarterly (CSQ Magazine)
Link: http://bit.ly/2chbMRE
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2015 Adweek 30 Under 30
Adweek/PRNewser
Link: http://bit.ly/1IhH1YR
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2015 Forbes 30 Under 30 Music
Forbes Magazine
Link: http://onforb.es/14dCiXk
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2014 CableFax Over-Under List 30
CableFax
Cable’s young superstars
Link: http://bit.ly/1uhPpRo -
2012 Digital PR Awards: Digital Marketing Campaign - $500K+
PRNews
Client: Hewlett Packard (HP)
Link: http://bit.ly/SmzgIG -
2010 ARF Gold Award for Strategy & Research in Financial Srvs.
Advertising Research Foundation (ARF)
Client: Bank of America
Link: https://bit.ly/3b7JWdS -
2010 ARF Grand Award for Innovative Research
Advertising Research Foundation (ARF)
Client: Bank of America
Link: https://bit.ly/3b7JWdS
Organizations
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American Economic Association (AEA)
Member
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Council Urban Professionals (CUP)
Member
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National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC)
Member
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Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Member
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