This 1970s Nike manifesto is absolutely wild

Oatly’s story is remarkable because it has so many elements of what great DTC brands have gotten right, but in a different context. That is, Oatly spoke directly to its customer, shipped changes quickly, took on a rebellious tone, and sought validation from “celebrities” (in this case, niche coffee/tea shops) to encourage trial.

starting a brand could seem like an act of creative expression, or even an act of resistance.

I remember watching “Gapgate” unfold. It bummed me out. Gap shouldn’t have ceded to vocal Facebook groups. It should have remained in control of its brand, even if it had to fake it. Gap should have dictated what Gap was, even if that meant being defined by amateur design. I understand that companies on Gap’s level are beholden to shareholders and ... See more

Brand Anarchy is not terrifying chaos, but instead the new order that emerges when old paradigms and playbooks crumble, giving way to unexplored creative and cultural potential. And honestly, it’s just a more fun and human way of doing things.