storyOS | Embracing a New Way of Marketing with AJ Hassan

Does the word “marketing” strike you as kind of a dirty word? Many of us are part of a generation that really doesn’t like to feel like we’re being sold to. Brands know that, and the smart ones are getting ahead of it by swapping out marketing copy for real stories and real connection. At STORY, we’ve been saying for years now that a story’s greatest power is not in its ability to convert, but in its ability to connect, and when it comes to achieving conversion in the long term by leading with connection first, few marketers do that better than AJ Hassan. AJ is an Emmy-winning executive creative director who works with creative teams to help businesses and brands infuse their message with life and relevancy. She led the Equality Can’t Wait gender equity work for R/GA in partnership with Melinda Gates’ company: Pivotal Ventures. The “Like a Girl” campaign she led was a huge viral hit. She’s won tons of awards and lots of acclaim for her work and she understands, better than most, how to make advertising just a little more human. This week on the STORY Podcast, we dip into the archives to hear a portion of AJ’s talk from her time at STORY. It’s one that can help us all, because we’re all marketers now. As we share and promote our own work, or the work of others, how can we focus on connection? Listen to AJ Hassan tell us how.

Show Notes

At STORY, we’ve been saying for years now that a story’s greatest power is not in its ability to convert, but in its ability to connect, and when it comes to achieving conversion in the long term by leading with connection first, few marketers do that better than AJ Hassan. AJ is an Emmy-winning executive creative director who works with creative teams to help businesses and brands infuse their message with life and relevancy. She led the Equality Can’t Wait gender equity work for R/GA in partnership with Melinda Gates’ company: Pivotal Ventures. The “Like a Girl” campaign she led was a huge viral hit. She’s won tons of awards and lots of acclaim for her work and she understands, better than most, how to make advertising just a little more human.

This week on the STORY Podcast, we dip into the archives to hear a portion of AJ’s talk from her time at STORY. It’s one that can help us all, because we’re all marketers now. As we share and promote our own work, or the work of others, how can we focus on connection? Listen to AJ Hassan tell us how.

Creators & Guests

Host

Harris III

Harris began his career at a young age, traveling the world as an award-winning, professional illusionist. He has performed for and spoken live to more than two million people in more than 30 countries on six continents. His performances have been televised to millions more on networks like the Travel Channel and ABC Family, and famed YouTube channels like Dude Perfect. After traveling the globe and making a million dollars by the age of 21, only to go bankrupt a year later, Harris kick-started a decade-long journey to understand the stories we tell ourselves and how they drive all human behavior. Armed with a unique perspective, his career re-exploded as a world-renowned speaker, storyteller and entrepreneur. He is the creator of WonderWork™ and the Story OS™, and the author of the bestselling book, The Wonder Switch. Tapping into his background as a professional magician and understanding the intersection of storytelling and wonder, Harris developed a structured process that can dramatically change a team’s culture, or rapidly accelerate an individual’s transformation from the story they feel stuck in, to the life they want to live.

What is storyOS?

Stories are powerful, and narrative drives all human behavior. But how do we as leaders, creators and entrepreneurs learn to leverage that power for good? The storyOS Podcast dives deep into that question, so you can increase your narrative intelligence, grow your influence, and build a better future for yourself, your team and the world.