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Abby Gaines, a self-taught artist crowned Chickasaw Princess in early October who earned top honors in the drawing division of the Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM), Oct. 5, is eager to participate in the first-ever Hushtola’ Art Market, Dec. 9-10, at WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville, Oklahoma.

October 2023 will be a lifelong, cherished memory for Abby Gaines.

Gaines, 24, was awarded first place for her piece “Chikasha Ihoo” (Chickasaw Women) which also served as her talent portion for the Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival Princess Pageant.

It is a detailed, intricate and beautiful charcoal drawing of three Chickasaw women engaging in a friendly contest of stickball.

It took 30 hours to complete. The subjects are all her friends. Jeri Underwood and her daughters Brenlee and Jayla were participating in the stickball tournament conducted during May’s Chikasha Ittafama (Chickasaw Reunion). Gaines knew she wanted to feature three dynamic Chickasaw women playing the game.

“In my mind’s eye, I already had an idea of what I wanted,” Gaines said. “I had taken my camera down to the tournament grounds and began shooting. The photo I eventually used for ‘Chikasha Ihoo’ was one of my favorites.”

“Chikasha Ihoo” is just one of several first place honors Gaines has accepted in art shows beginning in 2021.

“I have only been drawing seriously for about six years,” she said. “During high school, I wasn’t serious about it. I just goofed around drawing portraits of family and friends.”

When she decided to get “serious,” Gaines finished with a first place award in drawing at the 2021 virtual Artesian Arts Festival.

The drawing was a portrait of fluent Chickasaw language speaker Rose Jefferson, who also served in the princess pageant as “the elder under the arbor” when Gaines was crowned 2023-24 Chickasaw Princess.

Another first place award came in 2022 with a rendering of Choctaw dancer Okatusha Roberts, a friend of Gaines’.

In 2022 SEASAM competition, another first place award was earned by Gaines. Titled “Willie Jack,” the drawing was purchased by the Chickasaw Nation Information Center in Tishomingo and is currently on display.

The charcoal award winner was – from start to finish – “freehand” artistry. However, Gaines also knows how to create beautiful art using computers. A portrait of her grandmother, Zella Gaines, is an example.

“I do like it. I did all the artwork on my iPad,” she explained while looking at the portrait. “I’m not sure how long it took to finish, but it is close to my heart.”

It is in full color, and she credits Bryan Waytula, a Cherokee artist, with being her mentor and advocate.

“Bryan was great. He showed me his talent and gave me pointers on my art. He also encouraged me to work with colored pencils. If it wasn’t for Bryan, I’m not sure I would have ever used color,” Gaines said.

Mr. Waytula’s work “The Grass Dancer” was named Best of Show at 2023 SEASAM. It marks the second year in a row Mr. Waytula has earned Best of Show honors.

Gaines works for the Chickasaw Nation as an administrative assistant in the department of culture and humanities. As such, she assisted Mr. Waytula who was instructing young Chickasaws during arts academy festivities that occur throughout the year.

The largest of these is the Chickasaw Nation Arts Academy where all genres of art expression are honed – from painting to performing arts.

As she begins her duties as a goodwill ambassador of the Chickasaw Nation, being Chickasaw Princess will become her most important assignment. She believes her artistic efforts will be interrupted, but her optimism is still sharply focused.

“I know I will meet many people and visit many places. I know I will find opportunities and inspiration for my art while serving the Chickasaw people,” she added.

Ms. Gaines is one of the more than 100 First American artists representing 26 tribal nations and eight states participating at the Hushtola’ Art Market, Dec. 9-10.

Original art in 21 categories will be showcased, including sculpture, beadwork, paintings, basketry, jewelry, metalwork, photography, textiles, pottery and more.

Hushtola’ Art Market is open to the public at no charge. It will be conducted in the WinStar Convention Center at WinStar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville, Oklahoma.

For more information, contact Chickasaw Nation Arts & Humanities at (580) 272-5520, visit HushtolaArtMarket.com or email ArtistInfo@Chickasaw.net.

Holiday Markets come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. This holiday season, in downtown Buffalo, Fits Books & Waffles is hosting a curated holiday market on Saturday, December 2, featuring the following five all-star vendors that will be in the shop from 10 to 4 PM:

• 73 Feathers, creator of stylish clothing and hoodies reflecting the region’s indigenous design culture
• Hadas Steiner, offering an array of stunning, well-curated modern jewelry pieces
• Alison From Earth, creator of a stylish, upcycled fashion line
• Christina Buscarino, maker of unique artisan jewelry and designs
• Pigeon House Pots, offering beautiful artisan ceramics

While you’re in the shop, you can inquire about the books that made it onto this year’s FITZ Holiday Book Picks list. The list includes Queercore: How to Punk a Revolution by Liam Warfield, Walter Crasshole, and Yony Leyser; Earthopolis: A Biography of Our Urban Planet by Carl Nightingale; An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz; the Buffalo AKG Art Museum Collection Handbook; [Buffalo] Corner Stores by Dmitry Gudkov; The [Buffalo] Dives of Our Lives by Michael Mulley; and Buffalo Braves A-Z by Budd Bailey and Greg Tranter.

“We just put our FITZ Holiday Book Picks list today. It include 9 or 10 Buffalo-related books, a few of which are brand new, including a new novel (Same Bed Different Dreams) that launched, receiving international acclaim. It’s by Buffalo-born novelist Ed Park. [There’s] lots of activity this week and next as we head toward the holidays. This Friday, we’ll host two of our favorite collaborators—artist and writer Julia Dzwonkoski and author Ric Royer—for a double book launch.  On Saturday, we’ll host five fabulous vendors for a Holiday Market.  And next week, we have local legends Mike Mulley and Julian Montague in the shop for book signings on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.” – Aaron Bartley (owner of Fits Books & Waffles)

Of course, while you’re paying a visit to this unique Buffalo bookstore, you’re going to want to try out one of their famous Liege waffles.

Everyone deserves a quality book this holiday season. Therefore, be sure to support our local bookstores that sift through the crud, to bring you the best authors on the scene. Plus, when you support a locally owned, independent bookstore, you support a better and brighter Buffalo.

Fits Books & Waffles | 433 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203 | (716) 249-0523

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The role of digital signage has evolved exponentially over the last decade. While previously only seen in boardrooms and airport directories, use cases now expand far beyond, from quick serve restaurant drive-throughs to digital out-of-home (DOOH) locations like stadiums and malls. Due in part to its flexibility and versatility, traditional technology like whiteboards in the classroom and projectors in meeting rooms are being swapped out for digital signage that’s driving immersive experiences and creating opportunity for users and consumers everywhere.

As customers enter businesses and venues, they are immediately greeted by striking images of digital signage. These signage solutions are becoming a common sight across diverse industries, from the buzzing atmosphere of hotels and sports stadiums to the inspiring spaces of educational institutions and art galleries. They enrich customer experiences in every setting.

Digital signage is no longer perceived as a mere advertising display — it’s so much more. It has become one of the most sought-after media platforms for personalized information, content, education, sports, art, and more. These digital signage applications not only change the look and feel of the environment, but captivate and leave a lasting impression on its viewers.

As the role of signage in everyday life continues to evolve, so evolves the depth of the market itself, too. According to Fortune Business Insight, the digital signage market is expected to grow to more than $35 billion by 2026.¹ Along with the industry’s substantial growth, Samsung Electronics has maintained its number one position in the market for 14 consecutive years,² and continues to expand the boundaries of digital signage with its unrivalled technology.

Let’s take a look at how Samsung has continued to lead the global industry for 14 consecutive years during the heyday of digital signage.

More Than a Background: Becoming Part of the Experience in Historic Monuments, Sports Arenas and Ultra-Luxury Resorts

In today’s world, organizations across sectors aren’t just adopting new technologies – they are embracing a total experience that provides an integrated approach that combines internal and external facets of their operations. According to Gartner, it’s expected that by 2024, organizations providing a total experience will outperform competitors by 25% in satisfaction metrics, impacting both customer and employee experiences.³ Similarly, Samsung supports projects from inception to completion in a number of ways including mechanical design and training, site surveys, product delivery, and installation, ensuring customers are equipped with the tools to be successful.

In times of such transformation, digital signage plays a pivotal role. A perfect example can be found in the heart of Vatican City. At the historic St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, visitors gather from all corners of the world for a once in a lifetime ceremony from the Pope.

▲ Visitors and worshippers can clearly view the proceedings through Samsung’s outdoor LED signage (XHB series, two measuring 7.935m x 4.83m and two measuring 5.865m x 3.105m) at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City

Enhancing this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Samsung has integrated advanced signage solutions seamlessly by installing four high-precision LED displays. The result is a dramatically improved experience for all in attendance, regardless of their physical positioning. Paired with audio solutions that deliver crystal clear sound, the technology ensures the Pope’s message resonates profoundly with everyone at the event.

In addition to bringing events closer to attendees, Samsung’s innovative technology turns any space into an immersive experience, filled with vivid colors, crystal clear picture quality and dynamic content. Capturing guest attention and ensuring a great experience is vital for any high-end destination. Digital signage solutions are a great tool for enabling this attraction and retention. A prime example of this in action is at one of the world’s top resorts, Atlantis the Royal in Dubai, with Samsung’s premium technology installed across the property.

▲ (Up) An awe-inspiring sight greets resort guests, made possible by Samsung LED signage installed behind the lobby fish tanks. (Down) Samsung’s innovative modular Micro LED display, The Wall enhances the hotel’s most luxurious guest suite, the Royal Mansion, measuring 146 inches with 4K (3,840 x 2,160) resolution.

Every moment of a guest’s stay is filled with awe-inspiring imagery and impressive displays for a one-of-a-kind experience — whether on their journey to the spa or in the hotel’s lobby where guests are met with the largest indoor LED displays installed on three large water tanks, projecting breath-taking scenes including a rainbow of fish swimming in the sea.

These displays also create an overwhelming atmosphere when bold content is paired with advanced technology. In Minute Maid Park — home of the Houston Astros, part of the US baseball league — Samsung upgraded impressive 6,875-square-foot primary scoreboard, left-field scoreboard and ribbon boards. Similarly, in Switzerland’s Swiss Life Arena, Samsung deployed display solutions including the largest indoor LED cube in Europe. As the most modern ice hockey arena in Switzerland, Swiss Life provides a drastically improved fan experience and enhanced operational efficiency thanks to Samsung.

▲ Minute Maid Park displays the impressive 6,875 square-foot scoreboard, giving fans a crystal-clear view from every seat in the house. It’s part of the larger videoboard that spans an impressive eight stories, featuring 5.3 million stunning LEDs designed to digitally enhance the fan experience.

▲ The central LED Cube display at Swiss Life Arena — measuring 12(w)x12(d)x8(h) meters — is the principal element of the fan experience with 416m² of the LED signage. Any one of the 12,000 seats within the area have a stunning view of the display.

More Than Hands-On: A Transformative Education Experience With Samsung Smart Signage

Digital signage is powerful and has the ability to draw in a viewer, captivate them, and bring them to another world — it provides a truly transformative experience. This impact is felt across industries and when we look at the education space in particular, signage has made immeasurable improvements.

Samsung partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to launch an unparalleled learning environment. The Immersive Room, equipped with 18 meters of Samsung LED screens across three walls provides incredible picture quality, detail, contrast, and color reproduction. Most importantly, its 12K image resolution empowers the University to push the boundaries of learning as the LED screens create virtual and augmented reality experiences and present a futuristic learning environment utilizing digital signage.

The University of Wales’ immersive space was an “Education Project of the Year” Finalist at the AV Awards 2023, recognized for the innovation it brings to education.

▲ University of Wales Trinity Saint David transforms education with a state-of-the-art immersive room and impressive learning spaces. The three LED walls that make up the immersive space are equipped with 18 meters of Samsung LED signages across three walls.

Similarly, Syracuse University in the US deployed The Wall in its S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications, drawing in prospective students by highlighting students’ accomplishments and the school’s world-class learning environment. The Wall creates a ‘wow factor,’ leaving a lasting impression during campus tours.

▲ The Wall showcases inspiring stories of Syracuse student achievements and accomplishments, helping prospective students envision their successful future at the University.

Now, teachers can begin their lessons sooner, and spend more time creating immersive, connected learning experience for students. This impact isn’t going unnoticed, and in fact, Samsung announced the new Interactive Display (Model name: WAC) designed for simplicity and students at British Educational Training and Technology (Bett), the world’s largest education technology exhibition and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) this year.

When we think back on the impact Samsung has had on education, it’s apparent that it comes in all forms. Samsung’s interactive display, Flip Pro, provides an extended learning experience for teachers and students at the Hogg New Tech Center in Dallas, Texas.

With its comprehensive range of display solutions from The Wall and LED signage, to Interactive displays, Samsung was also recognized as the Best Overall IT Solution Provider for the Education Market by the 2023 EdTech Breakthrough Awards.

▲ Hogg New Tech Center uses Samsung Flip Pro interactive display (Model name: WMB) to facilitate interactive learning and collaboration through multi-touch features and various connectivity options

More Than a Vision: Bringing Ideas to Life as a Digital Art Platform

Whether with a global audience or at a local school, Samsung’s immersive environments power learning, celebrations, content consumption and much more. But digital signage is an art too, and as Samsung continues to embrace its role as a media art platform, it’s enabling creatives to truly bring their vision to life.

The Wall for Virtual Production (Model name: IVC), which launched earlier this year, is an example of how companies, producers and creatives alike are creating and displaying their art with unparalleled quality. This addition to The Wall product line up enables creatives to use ultra-large LED walls to create virtual content, integrating them with real-time visual effects technology to reduce the time and cost of content production. The latest addition to The Wall series makes production faster and easier in TV, film and other industries, and was highlighted during industry events including InfoComm 2023 and IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) 2023.

▲ The Wall for Virtual Production makes production faster and easier in TV, film, and other creative industries

Samsung is bringing other art forms to life too. Recently, it displayed a masterpiece by contemporary Korean art leader, the late Park Seo-Bo, on The Wall All-in-One (IAB model) at New York’s Rockefeller Center. The first digital rendition of Park Seo-Bo’s iconic “Écriture” series (Video art title: [1 OF 0], directed by Jifan Park) is on The Wall’s immersive 146-inch 4K screen. The Wall All-in-One provides an awe-inspiring visual experience that replicates the intense colors and intricate textures of Park’s painting, allowing visitors to be fully immersed in the artwork. Dutch-American audiovisual artist, 0010×0010, also held an exhibition in Bangkok, Thailand that redefined the boundaries of modern art and explores the convergence of the digital and physical worlds — all by utilizing The Wall All-in-One.

▲ The first digital rendition of the late Park Seo-Bo’s iconic “Écriture” series (Video art title: [1 OF 0], directed by Jifan Park) is on The Wall’s immersive 146-inch 4K screen.

Samsung’s Smart Signage is revolutionizing various sectors by creating immersive, interactive environments in every corner of the world. Whether it’s an ultra-luxury resort in Dubai, an immersive and futuristic classroom at the University of Wales, or a video art exhibition by a renowned artist, Samsung’s Smart Signage is making profound impacts globally, and our lives more colorful and enriching. This journey, spanning over the last 14 years, has continuously redefined the very experience of digital communication, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Samsung’s Smart Signage, which has been ranked No. 1 in the industry for 14 consecutive years.

¹ Fortune Business Insights; The global digital signage market size stood at USD 19.78 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 35.94 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period (2019-2026)
² Samsung has maintained its No. 1 position as the leading LCD signage brand in market share for 14 consecutive years, as reported in the Omdia Q2 2023 Public Display Report. Samsung has also been the number one in combined sales for LCD and LED signage (The LED Video Display History Report provides sales data for LED signage from 2017 onwards; comprehensive data for LED signage sales is not available prior to 2017). Note. Consumer TVs, along with Commercial Lite and Hospitality TVs used for signage are excluded.
³ Gartner; The Total Experience Strategy for Better Retail Digital Interactions

Canadian artist Geoff McFetridge is known for his distinct aesthetic that privileges feeling over visuals, which he conveys through minimal shapes and clean lines. In his latest body of work titled Nature Mart, McFetridge takes on connection, empathy, fear, and exploitation as he explores what it means to be in a community.

Rendered in bold, flat panes of color, his acrylic paintings feature nondescript figures joining arms, hopping a fence, and haphazardly tucked head or foot first into a silhouette evocative of a Trojan horse. While some works, like “Group Hug,” portray people seamlessly joined as if fused together indefinitely, others show a separation as in the mirrored “Thruwall,” a piece that depicts two nearly identical figures approaching the wall that divides them. Many of the paintings ask what our responsibility as humans is to each other and the species we share this planet with, all broached through McFetridge’s unornamented visual language.

Nature Mart is on view through January 20 at Cooper Cole in Toronto. Find more from the artist on Instagram. (via Juxtapoz)

“Horse Brainz” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 30 x 26 inches

“Group Hug” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 30 x 36 inches

“Protected by Lion” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 50 X 40 inches

“Horse That Jack Built 2” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 40 x 50 inches

“Over Fence” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 50 X 50 inches

“Tennis!” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 50 x 40 inches

“Thruwall” (2023), acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40 inches

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article In ‘Nature Mart,’ Geoff McFetridge Queries Human Responsibility and Connection Through Minimal Paintings appeared first on Colossal.

Emerging from the lush, jungle-like conservatory at the Barbican is a collection of otherworldly sculptures that transform the venue into a site of metamorphosis. Largely made of muslin, reclaimed teak, and steel, the works were born in the rural Karnataka, India, studio of artist Ranjani Shettar, whose interest in nature’s resilience and adaptation is on full display at the iconic London space.

Shettar is known for her use of organic and industrial materials that she fashions into delicate, sometimes abstract, sculptures. In her solo exhibition titled Cloud songs on the horizon at the Barbican, the artist suspends pieces that appear like seed pods, plants, and other organisms within the 23,000-square-foot space. As viewers move along the pathways, the works seem to morph into different creatures and reflect the ways changes occur over time.

The Barbican’s glass ceiling plays a crucial role, as well, as it shifts perspectives depending on the time of day. Shettar softly illuminates some of the works when under the dark cover of night, adding that “natural light had to become an active ingredient of the sculpture-making, not a passive (one) that would happen later on. I had to consider it as a medium itself,” she says.

Cloud songs on the horizon is on view through March, and you can find more of Shettar’s works from Talwar Gallery.

“In the thick of the twilight” (2023)

“In the thick of the twilight” (2023)

“Cloud songs on the horizon” (2023)

Detail of “Cloud songs on the horizon” (2023)

“Moon dancers” (2023)

Detail of “Moon dancers” (2023)

Detail of “Cloud songs on the horizon” (2023)

“In the Wings of Crescent Moons” (2023)

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Ranjani Shettar’s Delicate Sculptures Entwine with the Lush Plant Life of the Barbican’s Conservatory appeared first on Colossal.

Dharamsala, November 27

The Himachal government has proposed to bring up Unity Mall at Dagwar near here. The Mall is proposed to be brought in each state by the Union Government.

Minister for Industries Harshwardhan Chauhan said the Himachal government has sent a detailed project report (DPR) to the Union government to bring up the Mall at Dagwar. The DPR of Rs 151 crore was sent to the Government of India which has been approved. The Union government would provide a funding of Rs 132 crore for the project while the rest of the funding would be provided by the state government, he said.

The Centre had proposed to bring up Unity Mall in each state of the country. It was proposed that products of each state would be sold in these malls with GI tags. The project was aimed at promoting local products.

The Minister for Industries said that the Unity Mall proposed in the state would have facilities such as escalators and state-of-the-art marketing and entertainment facilities. The government proposes to bring up the mall near Dharamsala as it would promote tourism in the area. Besides, the government would also ensure that local agriculture products of Himachal such as Kangra tea and other organic products are sold in this mall.

The work for the construction of the mall would start as soon as the state government receives funding for the project. The government land for the project has already been identified, he said. — TNS

DPR of Rs 151 CR

• DPR of Rs 151 cr approved by government of India
• Centre to provide Rs 132 cr for the project while state to contribute the rest

#Dharamsala

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Too often, CEOs and CMOs are not aligned on marketing’s role. Is it because they are speaking in synonyms, both saying “marketing” but meaning different things?

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“Marketing is everything and everything is marketing.”

This is both an objective truth about today’s business landscape, and the title of a 1991 book (and HBR article) by Regis McKenna that, over 30 years later, is remarkably prescient and still wildly relevant.

But if everything really is marketing—what then exactly is “marketing”? At a time when marketing’s commercial relevance generally, and the CMO’s specifically, is being questioned by many a CEO and CFO, is there value in considering what it is they’re questioning, and what they mean when they say “marketing”? Is their definition the same as their CMO’s?

It turns out, probably not.

According to a recent McKinsey survey “CEOs and CMOs aren’t always on the same page about the primary role of marketing in their companies,” with the research finding that only 50% of same-company CEOs and CMOs see the role the same way.

While not news to the CMOs living it, the data begs the question of why it’s this way and raises the specter that CMOs and CEOs—who rarely come from marketing’s ranks—are speaking in synonyms, both saying “marketing” but meaning different things. This is a bad thing 100% of the time.

As rudimentary as asking “what is marketing?” may seem, there’s always value in interrogating our default assumptions and definitions to see if they still hold true, or don’t. Especially in times of seismic change, and the past decade+ has been that for marketing and chief marketers both.

So then, what is marketing? And how do marketers define it?

According to the American Marketing Association, whose definition was codified in 2017:

“Marketing is the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large.”

Me, I don’t know what this means; the definition complicates (arguably, obfuscates) but doesn’t clarify. If this is how a trade group billing itself as “the essential community for marketers” defines the practice, perhaps it’s no surprise so many CMOs and CEOs aren’t on the same page about it.

Webster’s Dictionary gets a lot closer than the AMA, offering succinctly that marketing is:

“The activity or business of promoting and selling products or services.”

But having died in 1843, Mr. Webster never had to promote or sell anything in today’s commercial landscape. So, again, wondering what might have changed and what endures, I asked a small group of CMOs, from a diversity of categories, how they define marketing.

Perhaps not surprisingly—and certainly reassuringly—there was a lot of consistency, and even if the words used are different, one common perspective emerged among their answers:

Marketing is the practice of creating and capturing customer demand to drive enterprise growth. While that’s my synthesis of what was shared in this non-scientific study, here’s how nine much lauded CMOs define “marketing,” in their words, presented alphabetically (Note: some quotes have been edited lightly for brevity):

• “Marketing is about demand creation and demand capture…(it is) a lot like campaigning. (People) “vote” when they use our services – every day is election day.” ~ Jonathan Adashek, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, IBM
• “(Marketing is about) understanding customers deeply, leveraging that understanding and empathy to build better products to solve their problems, and more resonant campaigns that convert better – to ultimately drive incremental growth and engagement.” ~ Kofi Amoo-Gottfried, CMO, DoorDash
• “Connecting with your target’s needs or desires and convincing them your brand is best aligned with them.” ~ Eugenia Blackstone, CMO, Iris Powered by Generali
• “(Marketing is) a critical component of a company’s growth strategy. Marketing drives revenue growth by deeply understanding customers, building reputation and trust in brands, and delivering customer acquisition, engagement, and retention.” ~ Lara Hood Balazs, EVP, GM and CMO, Intuit
• “(Marketing is about) growth; influencing our target audience to choose our products and services is the core of what we do and spans both art and science.” ~ Soyoung Kang, CMO, EOS Products
• “Marketing is the orchestration of your target’s exposure to, engagement, interaction and experience with your product/brand with the objective of creating a set of thoughts and feelings about your product/brand that will impact purchase decision-making.” ~ Janet Lee, SVP and CMO, Samsung Electronics America
• “(Marketing is) the art and science of deeply understanding your audience and the problem your brand can uniquely solve for them, then connecting with that audience to engage them in your solution in such a way that it drives them to adopt or purchase.” ~ Micky Onurval, SEVP and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, TIAA
• “Marketing is the art and science of getting people interested in your company and whatever it is selling. Marketing fuels brand desire and drives growth by being the voice of the customer to the company and the voice of the company to the customer.” ~ Dara Treseder, CMO, Autodesk
• “The role of marketing is to create demand, build customer loyalty, and strengthen brand equity.” ~ William White, CMO, Walmart

While the commonality within this small group is as above reassuring, what matters more than any singular definition is that CMOs and their C-suite colleagues align around and share a common definition—whatever it is. Speaking in synonyms, using the same word(s) but meaning different things without realizing it, leaves us sure we’re communicating when we’re not.

Without a shared definition and starting point there is far less likelihood to be any shared success. Because as Lewis Carroll wrote, “if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”

(Let me know in the comments how you see and define “marketing”. Are there important differences of opinion? Nuances and distinctions you think matter broadly?)