5 Alternative TED Talks for Marketeers

TED talks have become synonymous with their ability to take complex yet fascinating concepts and deliver them in bite-sized means. From ‘power posing’ to making stress your friend, some of the most productive and out-of-the-box ways of thinking were first introduced through this platform. So, we decided to take a look at the talks that offer a valuable and refreshing perspective when it comes to all things marketing and branding. And, you guessed it, we’ve rounded up our top five favorites to share with you now.

Choice, Happiness and Spaghetti Sauce

“Tipping Point” author Malcolm Gladwell gets inside the food industry’s pursuit of the perfect spaghetti sauce and how it has revolutionized data-driven buyer personas — making a larger argument about the nature of choice and happiness in the process.

 The Greatest TED Talk Ever Sold 

Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, known for controversial films such as Supersize Me, dives into the hidden but influential world of brand marketing on his quest to make a completely sponsored film about sponsorship. He even sold the onstage naming rights for this talk for $7,100.

404, The Story of a Page Not Found

The 404 page is one of the most recognizable errors users can find on the web, making it a common source of friction and frustration. But as Renny Gleeson shows us, while he runs through a slideshow of creative and funny 404 pages, every error is really a chance to build a better relationship.

How to Get Your Ideas to Spread

In a world of too many options and too little time, our obvious choice is to just ignore the ordinary stuff. Drawing on the marketing genius behind sliced bread, Seth Godin spells out why, when it comes to getting our attentions, bad or bizarre ideas are more successful than boring ones.

What Physics Taught Me About Marketing

Dan Cobley uses his passion for both marketing and physics to uncover some branding truths. Using Newton’s second law, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, the second method and the second law of thermodynamics, Cobley cleverly breaks down the fundamental theories of marketing into surprisingly relatable concepts.

There we have it, five alternative TED Talks to give you a fresh perspective on all things marketing. Which one was your favorite? Or are there any you think we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments or send us a tweet @usabilla.