Economic Empathy
by Bob Froese • Founder & CCO
December 18, 2025
Economic Empathy: How Brands Avoid Tone-Deaf Marketing
When wallets tighten, sensitivity rises.
And the brands that win don’t panic-discount or preach optimism.
They show they understand the moment—without exploiting it.
1) Read the economic mood
Not “sentiment.” Mood.
What are people protecting right now?
What are they cutting?
What do they still crave?
2) Lead with real value
Value isn’t always cheaper.
It’s:
- reliability
- less waste
- more stretch
- more satisfaction per dollar
3) Avoid elitism
A single careless line can cost a year of trust.
4) Let creators validate reality
Creators are your reality-check layer.
5) Build guardrails
Tone, timing, and triggers for when to pause a campaign.
Category Takeaway
The best economic marketing doesn’t “sell harder.”
It respects harder.
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