Latest news with #JasonHall
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Market On Platforms Where Traditional Ads Don't Exist
Jason Hall, Founder & CEO of FiveChannels, specializes in brand awareness, traffic & lead gen, marketing funnels, social media, and more. getty They're scrolling, streaming and searching, but they're not seeing your ads. It isn't because they aren't interested; it's because increasingly, many of the platforms people are turning to (especially younger people) either don't feature traditional ads or allow you to avoid them entirely. I'm referring to platforms like Discord, subreddit threads and Slack channels, where marketing often has to happen through community participation rather than paid placement. Trying to market where traditional ads don't exist, or are being avoided, is a challenge to be better. You have to learn how to be seen and relevant in spaces where attention is earned through creativity and trust. It's about integration, and you start by changing your playbook. More and more, traditional ads are being blocked or skipped on some of the largest platforms in the world. Users are signing up for premium versions of platforms so they don't have to watch or hear ads, or they're using ad blockers. As of 2023, almost 66% of users skip an in-app video ad if they are offered the chance. Smart brands don't fight for attention; they earn it. With over 30 years in digital marketing, I have learned one consistent truth: People don't hate marketing; they hate being interrupted. Which means the key to marketing today is becoming the content instead of the interruption. Creating something worth watching, listening to or reading means you become part of the experience, whether it's a podcast, video or blog. The right kind of branded content doesn't feel like marketing at all. Educate your audience, make them laugh, teach them something new, or just give them a moment they can enjoy. Any method will build trust, and in spaces where ads aren't allowed, these methods are your most powerful tool. Don't think of it as selling; instead, it is about creating something that matters and letting your brand speak for itself. Partner With Trusted Voices, Not Just Influencers Trust is the most valuable currency a brand can build with its audience, and this is no different in ad-free environments. Audiences flock toward creators who look and feel authentic and whose content aligns with their values. Because of this, brands need to think beyond the traditional influencer model. Instead of only focusing on reach, prioritize partnerships with voices that have a real connection with their audience. Collaborations should feel natural. Your product or mission should fit in seamlessly with the creator's narrative and lifestyle. It's not about slapping a logo on screen or forcing a weird hashtag. It's about integration. When an influencer's recommendation feels like a genuine part of the conversation, it carries a lot more weight than any standard ad ever could. In spaces where ads are restricted or unwelcome, you need this kind of partnership to stand out. It's not about pushing your brand relentlessly. It's about showing up in the right places, with the right voices and in ways that resonate. Trust isn't bought; it's earned through consistency and authenticity. Build Community From The Inside Out The most engaged people today aren't on outdated fan pages and forums. They are building communities on Discord, subreddit threads, private Facebook groups and Slack channels—places that are driven by a shared interest, conversation and a certain level of trust, but not by marketing. If you want to succeed in these spaces, you need to be a participant, not a promoter. That means creating value from the inside out. Try hosting real discussions. Offer behind-the-scenes access. Share exclusive content that gives people a real reason to care and connect. Treat it like a community instead of a place where your audience is, and you will create something better than brand awareness. You'll build loyalty. People will feel like they are a part of your brand instead of just being marketed to. You can't buy that kind of connection with an ad. You have to earn it through consistency, relevance and a willingness to listen. If taken seriously, a well-tended community can become your most effective marketing asset. It can turn customers into advocates, and advocacy is more persuasive than any campaign. Design For Discoverability, Not Visibility Unfortunately, visibility is no longer a guarantee in ad-free spaces, but you can engineer discoverability. If you can't put your brand in front of your audience, build pathways to help them find you organically instead. It starts with smart SEO, but that's far from where it ends. Every platform has its own search behavior. This goes for YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit and even TikTok. So, optimize your content accordingly. Try to think about questions people are asking and problems they're trying to solve. Content that addresses these needs not only builds authority; it keeps working long after it's published. The goal isn't simply being seen; it's to be found when it matters most. Discovery is the new distribution. You're no longer hoping someone scrolls past your message. Instead, you're creating a system where the right person finds it at the right time. This approach is more effective and more sustainable. Tap Into Culture Instead Of Campaigns Spaces without traditional ads thrive on cultural relevance. Instead of launching a brand-new campaign, try embedding yourself in conversations your audience is already having. Understand the memes, trends, moments and movements your audience is sharing, and learn how to genuinely connect. When a brand creates merchandise that people want to wear, or engages with a social moment in an authentic way, it shows they are part of the culture, not just trying to sell to it. Think participation instead of promotion. Don't hijack a trend; contribute to it naturally. You will build emotional equity, and people will associate your brand with things they already care about. Cultural fluency drives connection, inspires people to share and keeps your brand at the front of their minds, all without ever buying an impression. The landscape is shifting, and the best marketers aren't chasing attention—they're earning it. When traditional ads aren't an option, creativity, authenticity and connection become the strategy. Stay ahead by thinking beyond buying an audience. Where traditional ads don't exist, real brand loyalty is earned by those willing to put in the work. Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?
Globe and Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Plug Power Executive Makes a Big Investment: Time to Buy?
In this video, Motley Fool contributors Jason Hall and Tyler Crowe break down the Plug Power (NASDAQ: PLUG) CFO's recent open-market purchase of shares in the company. *Stock prices used were from the afternoon of May 22, 2025. The video was published on May 29 2025. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue » Should you invest $1,000 in Plug Power right now? Before you buy stock in Plug Power, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Plug Power wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $653,389!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $830,492!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is982% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to171%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025 Jason Hall has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Tyler Crowe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Jason Hall is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
New York City's Best Salads To Enjoy This Summer
Some of New York City's most beloved spots are honoring the season with creative and beautiful summer salads. These are dishes that are best enjoyed with a crisp glass of wine or a chilled cocktail while dining and enjoying the city at its most beautiful time of year. Cathedrale's Salad Verte. At Cathedrale in New York City, this salad from Chef Jason Hall is made with baby lettuce, red radish, petite pois, Persian cucumbers, and a homemade sherry vinaigrette. 'For me, a green salad at a restaurant is the barometer for how good the meal is going to be. When a restaurant is paying attention to something as simple as a green salad, you can tell they're paying attention to every other detail that goes into your experience,' said Hall. "We make a sherry vinaigrette with a 25-year old aged sherry vinegar, and it's just a great, classic brasserie salad that has become a must order for all of our regulars and anyone who sees it passing by - we see it ordered as an appetizer as well as to share with main courses, it really can fit in anywhere in the meal to add a brightness." Chilled Asparagus Mimosa Salad at New York City-based restaurant Clara. Celebrity chef Alex Guarnaschelli's new New York City-based restaurant Clara at New York Historical Museum has a salad inspired by a special memory. 'The poetry of the story starts with the first time I ate this dish in a tiny bistro in Paris," said the chef of the salad which is comprised of chopped hard boiled egg whites and yolks sprinkled over lemony-mustard dressed asparagus. The Lobster Cobb Salad at Rosanna Scotto's Fresco by Scotto. A beautiful salad filled with fresh summer ingredients. The Lobster Cobb Salad at Rosanna Scotto's Fresco by Scotto is made with avocado, gorgonzola, bacon, champagne vinaigrette. The Mayahuel Salad from Mayahuel in the Astoria area of New York City. A crisp refreshing standout from Mayahuel in the Astoria area of New York City, the Mayahuel salad is made with lettuce, avocado, tomatoes, onions, cucumber, queso fresco, and freshly grilled corn, then the ingredients are tossed in a bright house-made dressing of Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and emulsified oil. Chef Gerardo Duarte (previously of Atla and The Black Ant) wanted to add a crisp, refreshing counterpoint to the richness of dishes like mole amarillito or zarandeado shrimp that is served at Mayahuel. 'Our entire menu is a love letter to corn — so we had to add fresh grilled corn to our salad,' says Chef Duarte. 'It adds smokiness, warmth, and a little memory of summers in Mexico.' Potato Chip Salad at Stretch Pizza in New York City. Made with frisee, rube watercress, herbs, this salad is found at Stretch Pizza in New York City. Celebrity chef Wylie Dufresne says: "The idea behind this salad was to be both playful and a bit clever. I have always loved potato salad but have struggled with traditional leafy salads. I love potato chips, but they couldn't be the main focus of an appetizer. Leafy salads can lack texture ad I've always loved the classic friseé salad with herbs. So I thought perhaps there's a way to bring all these components together in a whimsical way. " Arancini Salad from JR & Son. From JR & Son, Williamsburg's storied bar and restaurant that reopened its doors earlier this month, Executive Chef Patricia Vega's menu is a combination of Italian-American classics, and also dishes inspired from some of New York's most renowned taverns. The Arancini Salad is a crowd favorite, with its smoked mozzarella, watercress, and radicchio. About the salad, Chef Vega says: 'Our arancini salad at JR & Son is a playful nod to tradition with a global twist. Inspired by khao tod, a crispy Thai rice salad, we serve golden, fried broken arancini over fresh herbs and greens with a bright, citrusy dressing. It's crunchy, and refreshingly unexpected.' Chopped Tulum Cobb at Rosa Mexicano. At Rosa Mexicano, the Chopped Tulum Cobb, a bold, south-of-the-border twist on the classic Cobb salad, combines Romaine lettuce, avocado, Monterey Jack cheese, black beans, cherry tomato, fire-roasted corn, and habanero pickled red onion. 'When creating the Chopped Tulum Cobb, we wanted to reimagine a classic salad through a vibrant Mexican lens. The pickled habanero onion and tropical vinaigrette bring a zing that wakes up your palate, while the crispy tortilla bowl adds just the right crunch. It's fresh, bold, and exactly what you'd expect from Rosa Mexicano," said Chef Raul Celiz. Hummus Cauliflower Salad at Kubeh in New York City. From Kubeh in New York City, the Hummus Cauliflower Salad is a light, yet filling, vegetarian option, mixing creamy hummus topped with arugula, tomato, cucumber, pistachio, almond, pomegranate, tahini, yogurt and cauliflower. Chef Melanie Shurka says: "Hummus Cauliflower Salad is everything you want from a salad. It combines Kubeh's favorite things all in one dish and then some." Jumbo Asparagus & Kale Salad at BLACKBARN. BLACKBARN, the farm-to-table restaurant in the NoMad section of New York City, has a Jumbo Asparagus & Kale Salad, that includes red quinoa, heirloom tomatoes, avocado, spiced sunflower seeds, baked ricotta and green goddess dressing. 'Jumbo Asparagus & Kale Salad showcases our commitment to featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a dish that's as visually stunning as it is delicious," said Chef/Owner John Doherty. Cilantro Caesar at Kellogg's Diner. At Kellogg's Diner, based in Brooklyn, there's a menu of diner favorites and Texas-inspired dishes from Executive Chef Jackie Carnesi, including the Cilantro Caesar, which consists of romaine, queso fresco and croutons. Executive Chef Jackie Carnesi says: 'The inspiration behind the Cilantro Caesar was a deep desire to inject copious amounts of cilantro into every dish I make. I love a Caesar and salads really lend themselves to herb usage, so it felt like a great opportunity to marry two of my great loves. We use parmesan in the dressing, but chose to use queso fresco to blanket on top of the salad.' Avocado Salad at KYU. At KYU, which has locations in NYC, Vegas and Miami, the avocado salad, is made with avocado as the starring ingredient, but also crumbled feta, lemon, ginger and microgreens. Chef Raheem Sealey says: "When my friend's homestead farm overproduced Florida avocados, he brought the excess supply into our Miami location and I saw it as an opportunity to get creative," says Chef Raheem. 'I started playing with flavor profiles that would complement the richness of avocado, like chili, ginger, and Asian-inspired notes with soy. I used microgreens instead of traditional lettuce for a fresh, unexpected twist. The salad was an instant hit at KYU, and with guests constantly asking for it - even when it was briefly taken off the menu - we knew it had become one of our staples.'
Globe and Mail
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Prediction: Ford May Be Built Tough, but So Is Beating the Market
In this video, Motley Fool contributor Jason Hall explains why Ford (NYSE: F) stock could beat the market, but also why there are some serious reasons why it could also struggled to deliver great returns for investors. *Stock prices used were from the morning of May 16, 2025. The video was published on May 19, 2025. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Learn More » Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now? Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Ford Motor Company wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor 's total average return is975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to172%for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 19, 2025
Sky News AU
19-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Finance Sector Union demands Commonwealth Bank of Australia justify job cuts after posting multi-billion dollar profit
The Finance Sector Union (FSU) has torn into Commonwealth Bank of Australia for slashing more than 150 roles just days after revealing a $2.6 billion quarterly profit in the latest skirmish between the major union and Australia's largest bank. CBA told workers 163 positions at the company will go, with 105 coming from the company's main arm and 58 from its Western Australia-based subsidiary Bankwest. The FSU said the bank told staffers about the cuts within days of revealing a six per cent profit increase in the March quarter over the same quarter last year. Of the 105 CBA jobs lost, 90 are located in New South Wales, while the remainder are in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland. Jason Hall, the FSU's National Assistant Secretary, said the recent job losses brings the total cuts across CBA and Bankwest in the past year to almost 800. 'While CBA's profits have swollen in the past year, they have sacked almost 800 workers in piecemeal announcements, no doubt in the hopes that these smaller job numbers wouldn't be widely noticed,' Mr Hall said in a statement. 'CBA has provided insufficient detail about the latest job cuts to enable genuine consultation. The FSU has written to the bank seeking more information on the rationale for the cuts and the impact on remaining teams. 'CBA and Bankwest workers deserve job security but with announcements of job cuts every couple of months, they are instead wondering when and where the next axe will fall.' Mr Hall said the latest cuts are mainly in customer service roles and the job losses at Bankwest are 'particularly concerning' after CBA committed to 500 new roles in WA. 'Now these latest round of Bankwest cuts mean CBA has slashed almost 150 Bankwest jobs since the start of the year,' he said. 'CBA must explain to its workers and customers how it can justify these actions after another quarter of hefty profits.' A CBA spokesperson said the major bank has hired almost 3,000 people since the start of the year and is investing more than $2b this financial year in the bank's operations. 'Like many organisations, we regularly review how we are organised to deliver the best experiences and outcomes for our customers,' the CBA spokesperson said. 'That means some roles and work can change. Our priority is always to redeploy or reskill for a new role or opportunity wherever possible.' The fresh sackings follows the FSU demanding answers from CBA over the axing of 164 jobs from the bank's technology division. Just weeks after this, the FSU hit out over plans to axe 90 roles at Bankwest.
