From Branding With Love: Sasha Strauss at TEDxUCIrvine

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey with attention deficit disorder, highlighting the constant energy and signals they perceive. They discuss how this trait became a gift, leading to a career in branding where the goal is to make people love a brand. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being authentic and consistent in storytelling, especially in a world saturated with social media and constant broadcasting. They call for a new Renaissance, urging individuals to be honest and present to foster deeper connections and understanding.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The speaker uses a wall of doodles to symbolize the flow of their speech, indicating a desire to communicate effectively and engagingly.
• 💡 Branding is a central theme, with the speaker emphasizing that businesses and nonprofits alike seek to be loved and remembered by their audience.
• 👶 Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a personal experience that the speaker uses to highlight the importance of being present and understanding the energies around us.
• 👥 The speaker's time as a mascot in college taught them that despite the ADD challenges, they could connect with people on an emotional level.
• 🌐 The pervasiveness of advertising and social media has led to a constant barrage of messages, making it difficult for individuals to stand out.
• 📢 The speaker argues for the importance of being explicit and consistent in one's personal branding to be remembered amidst the noise.
• 🐶 A short clip of the speaker's dog Olive is used to illustrate the power of pure, unadulterated presence and how it can captivate an audience.
• 🌑 The speaker likens recent global turmoil to a new Dark Ages, suggesting that a return to honest and clear communication is necessary.
• 💖 The core message is about the need for authenticity and love in communication, both in personal interactions and in broader societal structures.
• 🔄 The speaker calls for a New Renaissance, a time of clarity and truth where individuals are encouraged to show up authentically.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience with a computer?

The speaker's first encounter with a computer was due to being diagnosed with severe attention deficit disorder in the early 1980s. They were part of a lab test where a chemical was dripped into their bloodstream to normalize them, and they had to trace a dot on a screen controlled by a joystick to measure their concentration.

How did the speaker's experience in high school shape their understanding of energy and presence?

The speaker spent a lot of time in the principal's office, observing the energy and presence of others. They realized that people constantly broadcast energy and signals, even without speaking, and that individuals with attention deficit disorder are highly sensitive to these energies.

What did the speaker discover about human nature while working as a mascot in college?

While working as a mascot, the speaker discovered that everyone wants to be loved. This realization turned a problem into a gift, as they were able to connect with a wide range of people through the simple act of hugging while in costume.

How does the speaker relate the concept of love to branding?

The speaker relates love to branding by stating that businesses and nonprofits want people to love them, be passionate about them, and share them with friends and family. This emotional connection is what branding aims to create.

What is the challenge the speaker identifies with the current state of broadcasting and social media?

The speaker identifies the challenge as the overwhelming amount of broadcasting from everyone, all the time, making it difficult for any single message to stand out and be remembered.

Why did the speaker find the fisherman in Panama significant?

The fisherman in Panama was significant because, despite the language barrier, he handed the speaker a piece of paper with his social media handles, illustrating how pervasive social media has become in everyday communication.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to being remembered in the current noisy environment?

The speaker suggests that to be remembered, one must be explicit and consistent about their story, broadcasting a clear message that stands out amidst the chaos.

How does the speaker view the role of social media in the current 'Dark Ages'?

The speaker views social media as a tool that exacerbates the current 'Dark Ages' by adding to the cacophony of noise and confusion, making it harder for truth and genuine connections to be established.

What does the speaker propose as a solution to break through the current state of affairs?

The speaker proposes that individuals need to show up authentically, being honest and clear in their communications, to usher in a 'New Renaissance' where truth and genuine connections are prioritized.

What message does the speaker want to convey with the video of their dog Olive?

The video of Olive, the dog, is meant to convey the power of pure, unadulterated presence. The speaker wants to emphasize the importance of being present and authentic, which is a key aspect of breaking through the noise and being remembered.