Game Play
I grew up playing every Nintendo game I could get my hands on. Back then, I was just enjoying the games, oblivious to the business genius happening behind the scenes. As I ventured into marketing, I started digging into Nintendo’s history. It reads like fiction. They began as a playing card company over a century ago and with a series of smart business moves, a keen understanding of market trends, and a knack for innovation, Nintendo lives on.
Making an impact as a marketer requires a deep understanding of the business—their models, strategies, and how they navigate economic currents.
Nintendo
Nintendo made their own rules. I spent hours on my Nintendo growing up, but it wasn’t just the games that hooked me—it was its history, business pivots, and boldness. While rivals raced for powerful consoles and flashy graphics, Nintendo doubled down on creativity, simplicity, and nostalgia. From the Game Boy to the Wii, and now the Switch, Nintendo reshaped the way we play. They've mastered the long game, creating a culture of play while keeping tight control over their IPs and distribution.
→ Nintendo: Reinvention and Bold Pivots
→ Nintendo: Miyamoto, Nintendo's legendary game designer
→ Nintendo: From Radar Scope to Donkey Kong
It's wild to learn about the stories behind the products we use.
I was wearing Nike before I could tie my shoelaces properly. Patagonia was my go-to for jackets. Back then, my mum made the purchasing decisions, and I just went along.
Patagonia aligned business with purpose—their commitment to sustainability showed that companies could be profitable while making a positive impact. This one resonates even more deeply now. With Nike, I came to appreciate how they built a global community around sports and personal achievement.
Patagonia
Patagonia doesn’t play by the standard business playbook, and that’s what sets them apart. While others push products, Patagonia pushes purpose. They tell customers to buy less, they stand up for the environment, and they lead with values over profits. And the unexpected part? It works.
→ Patagonia: How Telling People to Buy Less Became the Best Sales Strategy
Nike
Nike pushed boundaries, broke rules, and, controlled the narrative. They sold ideas, beliefs, and cultural movements. In the world of marketing, the unexpected moves are the ones that get remembered.
→ Nike: Building a Winning Go-To-Market Strategy with Offense in Mind
Then there's Starbucks, transforming a beverage into an experience, building a loyal customer base through connection.
Starbucks
Starbucks revolutionized the concept of the "third place" and took what was once a simple beverage and made it a symbol of community, luxury, and identity. What made them stand out was their unexpected moves: transforming coffee from a commodity into an experience, turning everyday coffee drinkers into walking brand ambassadors, and mastering the balance between premium and accessible.
→ Starbucks: Redefining Coffee as Culture
→ Starbucks: Crafting Community, Connection, and Affordable Luxury
Understanding these stories isn't about copying their plays.
Doesn't matter the industry.
It's diversity of inputs.
How products reach customers, the pricing strategies, the partnerships and sponsorships that boost their presence—all these complex elements are uber interesting, a bit of luck, and quite frankly fun to read.
KB