Marketing Doris Ltd

05/08/2026

𝗪𝗲'𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗜... 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹?

AI has quickly become part of many marketers' daily toolkit. It's helping us write content, generate ideas, summarise meetings and save time on repetitive tasks.

But simply using AI isn't the same as using it strategically.

After attending a recent Chartered Institute of Marketing webinar, I came away with one key thought: the businesses that will benefit most from AI won't be the ones using the most tools. They'll be the ones using the right tools, in the right way, to solve the right problems.

In my latest blog, I explore:

💡 Why AI activity isn't the same as AI strategy
💡 Why experience and human judgement still matter
💡 How to move beyond experimentation and create real value
💡 The questions every marketing team should be asking

If you're using AI in your marketing, or wondering whether you're getting the most from it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

Read the blog here - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/we-ve-all-adopted-ai-but-are-we-actually-using-it-well

How has AI changed the way you work? Has it genuinely made you more productive, or are you still finding your feet?

28/07/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Last year, our plum tree didn't produce a single plum.

This year? It's absolutely laden with fruit.

My partner has been nurturing it through the recent heatwave, carefully watering it and eagerly waiting for the perfect moment to pick the harvest. The reward? Enough delicious plums to make a homemade pie.

Unfortunately, the local squirrels and birds seem just as excited as we are! Between them helping themselves to the fruit and our cat attempting (with mixed success!) to defend the tree, the garden is now scattered with plum stones and suspicious purple splodges.

It got me thinking... when there were no plums, nothing paid our tree much attention. But as soon as it became full of something valuable, everyone wanted a share. Business can be exactly the same.

When you consistently invest in your marketing, build your reputation and create something people value, others will notice. Customers, partners, competitors… and sometimes those looking to benefit from your hard work.

Read the full blog here: https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/what-our-plum-tree-reminded-me-about-marketing

23/07/2026

Sometimes the best marketing insight is... that it's OK not to be looking for one. 😊

I've just returned from a wonderful break at Lake Garda, taking some time to recharge the batteries.

Did I come back with a notebook full of revolutionary marketing ideas? Not really!

But, as every marketer knows, you never completely switch off.

I found myself admiring how brands back home embraced the FIFA Club World Cup with creative campaigns, laughing at the irony of a hotel power cut preventing us from watching one of England's matches, and being inspired by the beautiful town of Limone sul Garda.

What struck me most about Limone was how proudly it celebrates its lemon heritage. From shopfronts and menus to décor and signage, every touchpoint tells the same story. It's a brilliant reminder that the strongest brands don't try to be everything to everyone, they're simply consistent about what makes them unique.

Sometimes the best ideas don't come from a marketing conference or webinar. They come from slowing down, looking up and seeing the world a little differently.

If you'd like to read more, I've shared my reflections in my latest blog - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/even-when-you-re-on-holiday-marketing-finds-a-way

29/06/2026

Business advice comes and goes, but some of it just sticks with you and quietly shapes how you work.

In a recent blog, I shared a few that have made a real difference over time, from stepping back to take emotion out of tricky situations, to knowing when to pause before reacting, and even having the confidence to let go of clients or work that no longer feels right.

Simple ideas, but powerful when you actually use them day to day.

Read more here - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/the-best-piece-of-business-advice-thats-stuck-with-me-and-others

22/06/2026

Ever tried explaining what your business does… to a five-year-old?

It’s harder than it sounds.

Because kids don’t care about jargon, strategies, or “end-to-end solutions” (thankfully). They just want to know: what do you actually DO?
And honestly? That’s where things get interesting for businesses too.

If you can’t explain your offer simply, chances are your customers are quietly confused as well, they’re just too polite to say it. Stripping things back forces clarity. It helps you see what really matters, what you actually deliver, and why anyone should care in the first place.
It’s not about dumbing things down. It’s about cutting through the noise so the right people actually get it.

If you’re curious, this is something we explore more here - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/how-would-you-describe-your-business-to-a-five-year-old

And if you can explain your business to a five-year-old without using “synergy”… you’re probably onto something good.

15/06/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

There’s a big assumption in marketing that progress comes from doing more, more posts, more campaigns, more activity, more noise.
But in reality, that’s not always how results are built.

Sometimes the biggest shift comes from stepping back and asking a better question: what actually needs to be here? Because more content doesn’t automatically mean more impact, and busy doesn’t always mean effective.

We see it often, businesses stretched across too many channels, trying to keep everything moving, but struggling to see what’s actually working.

When you strip it back, focus on clarity, and stay consistent with what matters most, that’s where things start to perform properly.
Less pressure. Less noise. Better results.

That’s the bit we stand by.

https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/when-doing-less-is-actually-doing-better

10/06/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱

No two sectors are the same, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach to marketing rarely delivers the best results.

At Marketing Doris, we work with businesses across a range of sectors, taking the time to understand their industry, audience, challenges and goals. From professional services and recruitment to logistics, healthcare and manufacturing, we create tailored marketing solutions that support sustainable growth.

Because effective marketing starts with understanding what makes your business different.

Find out more about the sectors we work with https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/sectors

05/06/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀?

Sounds like a random question… but it actually tells you a lot about your brand.

Some businesses move like thrillers — fast, high-pressure, always reacting.

Others feel more like feel-good films — challenges come and go, but there’s teamwork, progress and momentum underneath it all.

And most sit somewhere in between.

The point isn’t to box yourself in. It’s to think differently about how your business story is being experienced by other people.

Because whether it’s marketing, messaging or brand positioning — if the story doesn’t land, the audience won’t stick around for the next scene.

So here’s the question worth asking - If your business were a film… what genre would it be?

Read more here - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/what-film-genre-best-represents-a-business

Explore the surprising comparison between business and film, and why the feel-good genre captures the true spirit of growth, challenge and success.

02/06/2026

Your personal brand isn’t just a nice addition to your CV anymore, it’s often the first impression people get of you before you’ve even had a conversation.

For marketers especially, personal branding has become a powerful way to build credibility, showcase expertise, and create opportunities. Whether you're looking for your next role, attracting clients, growing your network, or positioning yourself as a thought leader, how you show up online matters more than ever.

Authenticity is becoming a real differentiator. People connect with people, not just logos. The marketers who consistently share insights, experiences, and perspectives are often the ones who stay visible and memorable

Read more here - https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/why-personal-branding-matters-more-than-ever-for-marketers

26/05/2026

Vinted’s rise in the UK is about far more than second-hand fashion.

It reflects a bigger shift in consumer behaviour, where value, trust, sustainability and digital convenience are shaping how people shop.

For marketers, that is the real story. Audiences are looking for more than polished campaigns.

They want relevance, authenticity and experiences that fit the way they live and buy today.

Our latest article explores what retail marketers can learn from Vinted’s growth and why resale is now impossible to ignore.

https://www.marketingdoris.co.uk/vinteds-uk-growth-is-a-wake-up-call-for-retail-marketers