About the Book

What do Tesla, Apple, Warby Parker, and Nike all have in common? They all challenged the conventions of their category and, in true Challenger Brand style, caused the world to navigate by their beliefs, actions, and standards. In this easily accessible series of stories, Illuminate explores what makes these brands tick and how today's modern marketer can benefit from their example.

Packed full of insights, case stories, and real-world examples from my thirty-five-plus years on the front line of Challenger marketing, Illuminate is an essential read for anyone involved in the business of building brands. Particularly Challenger Brands. These are the brands who see imperfections as opportunities, who take umbrage at the lowly expectations that abound in so many categories, who challenge the Monsters in our midst. They are the mavericks who hate the status quo, who create new norms, and who force the world to navigate by their vision of the future. And these are the brands you will learn about in this book. Some are new, some are old, but all are Challengers at heart. And they all have fascinating stories to tell.

Because why you do business today is, perhaps, even more important that what you do or how you do it. Yet, every day, we see too many firms chasing the competition, believing that price, product features, or passion alone will make them winners. Companies without a clearly articulated purpose.

The result? Low returns. Failed or sub-performing companies. Another dream shattered. Another great idea turned to dust. The losers are the employees, management teams, owners, and boards at all these companies. As well as the investors-the VCs, private equity firms, angel funders, and founders, and the world itself.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Most companies focus on what they do and sometimes, how they do it and then expect people to buy their product or service. Challengers, however, broadcast why they do what they do and change the world in the process.

Challengers create new sets of rules and expect the world to follow their lead. And they do it with passion and focus, not big budgets. It's why they're some of the fastest growing companies on earth. In Illuminate II, you will learn tips and tricks, gain insights and ideas, and be able to put into practice lessons, from some of the world's most interesting Challenger Brands. Some of the stories you will read have historical routes; some are centered on my recent experience; some will hopefully inspire you to think and act different at, or with, your company, or even in your life; some will provide you clear, tangible lessons and exercises to use. And, hopefully, all of them will help you perfect the art and science of Challenger behavior.