The “twist and shout” parade.
Pure freedom in the moment.
Rebellious adolescence.
I watched this film last night and found myself wishing everyday was like that parade.
The thing is.
It can be.
When we replace branding with fictional narratives, we invoke that same parade feeling.

As a brand, if you create stories like "Ferris Bueller's Day off",
your community will use your product they see life through your unique lens.
The following talks on how you can translate your brands values into fictional narratives.
Don't be a Hero.
There are some key takeaways from "Ferris Bueller's day off" that brands can adopt to translate their values into impactful stories. The main being the role of the guide.
I want to firstly point out, it is rare in a story that the hero, Ferris, also serves as the guide.
Traditionally, the hero character is helped along their journey by a guide.
As brands, we only want to be a guide. A guide of our communities.
We all want that friend like Ferris. Willing to sacrifice to give us one special day.
Imagine your friend pulling up to your work carpark and stealing you from your desk.
An Adventure.
A Memory.
Bliss.
Now I question, have you ever shopped online whilst working?
Day dreaming of the places you could escape to with that new product?
The same way we fantasize about Ferris pulling up in his Ferrari, we fantasize about where we can escape to with these online products.
Don't be the hero, be the guide.
Which Character are you?
As individuals, we resonate with different characters from "Ferris Bueller's day off". Some of us look up to Ferris. Wanting to be a leader that brings his friends along for such a day. Likely, if you are a director or brand owner you will resonate with Ferris as a character. Others may resonate with Cameron or Sloane. Sloane, inviting spontaneity, ready to jump at any idea. And although Cameron fights it, he always understands getting out of his comfort zone is best for him.
If you are a brand owner, director or manager, position yourself as Ferris.
Your community is Cameron and Sloane.
What adventure can you guide them along today?

Productizing:
The aforementioned character associations is great for productizing a story.
With the different characters in a story we have identified, you can provide individuals in your community with their specific needs.
Charismatic, confident, young man? Here are Ferris’ Garments:

Maturing out of a Teen wardrobe? Jeanie is who to follow:

Trouble with the police? Get Garth’s leather jacket here:

Product Positioning:
There’s another untraditional guide disguised within this film.
One that specifically gets you to the places others cant go.
The Ferrari.

There is no greater practical guide then a car.
It can get you from point A to B.
However in this film, the Ferrari is used as a guide in a more inconspicuous way.
The car provides Ferris with status and maturity.
The same maturity that allows him to pick up Sloane in front of Mr. Rooney.
It gives the valet drivers the best day of their lives.
And in the end is the device used for Cameron’s growth.
What we need to be aware of, is the power in properly positioning a product in your stories.
As much as you want to create a story that puts the Ferrari on a pedestal.
Listing how fast it can go, its luxurious leather seats, its shiny red finish.
Basking in its beauty. Giving it the Hero status.
You owe it more than that.
The Ferrari needs to be positioned as a guide for your community.
What can your community get with it, that they could not get before?
What does it unlock, that competitor cars don't?
Where can they go, that they couldn't with another car?
What are some ways you can reposition your products to act as a guide?
I specialize in designing fictional narratives and content to help brands differentiate themselves in a saturated market.
If you want to hear more of what fashion looks like in the future, please reach out to me.
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