For the Culture

The Power Behind the World's Most Successful Brands, from Apple to Beyoncé

By: Marcus Collins

Narrated by: Cary Hite

From Marcus Collins, strategist to Apple, Nike and Beyoncé, discover the powerful force behind what we buy, what we do, and who we want to be . . .

'Compelling and vivid' – Robert Cialdini, author of Pre-Suasion

We all try to influence others in our daily lives. We are all marketers, whether you are a manager motivating your team, an employee making a big presentation, an activist staging a protest or a company executive selling the next big thing. In For the Culture, Marcus Collins argues that the most powerful vehicle for influencing behaviour is true cultural engagement. To inspire communities, we first need to think hard about how we appeal to their values and what we will contribute to their culture.

With a deep perspective based on a century’s worth of data, Collins breaks down the many ways in which culture influences behaviour. Using captivating stories from his own life as a top marketer – including spearheading digital strategy for Beyoncé, working with iTunes and Nike+ on their collaboration, and designing ads for McDonalds – he shows readers how they can do the same. Full of memorable examples, from 1960s hippy culture to the enduring success of Patagonia, For the Culture offers the essential tools for creating lasting engagement and influence.

'Some people seem to intuitively ‘get it.’ Most do not. Collins articulates ‘it’ for the rest of us and provides not just an understanding, but a guide for how to actually engage and influence culture' – Steve Huffman, co-founder and CEO, Reddit

Critic reviews

Compelling and vivid. Collins identifies the concept of culture as a key driver of human behavior – and he beautifully dissects and knits it back together for readers like a skilled surgeon. (Robert Cialdini, bestselling author of Influence and Pre-Suasion)

Engrossing. You might be up all night reading it. (Scott Galloway, bestselling author of The Four)

Some people seem to intuitively ‘get it.’ Most do not. Collins articulates ‘it’ for the rest of us and provides not just an understanding, but a guide for how to actually engage and influence culture. (Steve Huffman, co-founder and CEO, Reddit)

Insightful and enlightening. Diving deeply into what moves real people, not personas and archetypes, Dr. Collins gives us a look into cultural nuances we can use to make meaningful connections and drive action (Jay Norman, Global Head of Music Marketing, Spotify)

We all know culture can be a vehicle for influence, but in <i>For the Culture</i>, Collins shows us how. He provides fascinating deep-dives into the power of cultural community and illustrates how we can use it to change minds and inspire action. (Jonah Berger, bestselling author of Contagious)

Containing rich examples from entertainment, sports, and technology with deep dives into his own advertising campaigns and his inspirational personal story, Marcus Collins&rsquo; beautifully written book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand today&rsquo;s trillion-dollar dance of brands and culture (Robert V. Kozinets, Chair of Strategic Public Relations and Business Communication, University of Southern California)

Collins is a comet moving effortlessly through branding, marketing, engagement, advertising, social media, and meaning making, giving new life, clarity and purpose to them all. My advice: read this book! It will transform you, your career, and how you see the world (Grant McCracken, anthropologist and author of Chief Culture Officer)

The new bible for anyone who wants to understand how to influence behaviour through culture . . . Uniquely compelling (Lorraine Twohill, Chief Marketing Officer, Google)

After reading Collins's well-crafted gem, you will never go about marketing, advertising or building communities in quite the same way (Kenny Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer, Snap)