12 Series That Every Marketer Should See on Netflix
In the ever-evolving world of marketing, staying ahead of trends, understanding consumer behavior, and gleaning insights from various industries can significantly enhance a marketer's arsenal. While traditional education and professional development are invaluable, many marketers are discovering that inspiration and knowledge can be gleaned from more entertaining sources, namely the vast array of series available on Netflix.
Gone are the days when Netflix was simply a platform for guilty pleasures and endless binge-watching sessions. Today, it stands as a cultural phenomenon and a veritable treasure trove of information and inspiration. By offering a rich and diverse slate of documentaries and dramatizations alike, Netflix provides marketers with a unique opportunity to learn from real-world stories, human behavior, and business dynamics without leaving the comfort of their couches.
In this blog post, we've curated a list of 12 must-watch Netflix series that are packed with valuable lessons for marketers. From the ethical dilemmas of corporate America to innovative entrepreneurial journeys and the ever-pertinent consequences of social media, these shows invite you to understand the world from new perspectives. Each series is a goldmine of insights that will not only entertain but also imbue you with knowledge that can elevate your marketing prowess.
Let’s delve into these series and uncover how they can make you a more informed, creative, and strategic marketer.
1. Dirty Money
Main Ideas: Corporate greed, financial fraud, legal loopholes.
Detailed Insight: Each episode of "Dirty Money" shines a light on real-life stories of corruption and unethical business practices from various sectors. Whether it's the Volkswagen emissions scandal or the corrupt dealings of global financial systems, marketers can learn from these missteps about the importance of maintaining transparency and ethical standards. These stories highlight the potential consequences of ignoring ethical boundaries, such as the loss of consumer trust and long-term brand damage, demonstrating how ethical marketing not only supports a company’s reputation but can also be a competitive advantage.
Marketing Application: As a marketer, focus on building trust by prioritizing transparent communication. Ensure your marketing strategies are grounded in ethics to foster long-lasting relationships with your customers. Highlighting ethical practices and being open about mistakes can transform potential PR disasters into opportunities for brand strengthening and consumer loyalty.
It was viewed as a safer institution, customers trusted the bank more, and it was really great for the bank in terms of gaining new business.
- Emily Glazer
2. Suits
Main Ideas: Negotiation, strategy, personal branding, professional ethics.
Detailed Insight: "Suits" captivates viewers with its depiction of high-stakes legal battles and strategic maneuvering. The show expertly portrays the art of negotiation and the importance of personal branding and reputation in business. Characters like Harvey Specter exemplify the power of confidence and strategic thinking, showing marketers the impact a strong personal brand can have on career and business outcomes.
Marketing Application: Incorporate tactics from "Suits" by honing your negotiation skills and developing a strong, authentic brand identity. Use storytelling to showcase both your personal and company brand's unique qualities. Networking and relationship-building, as highlighted in the series, are essential in marketing for partnerships and client retention.
Don’t play the odds. Play the man.
- Harvey Specter
3. Broken
Main Ideas: Consumer safety, product authenticity, ecological impact, corporate responsibility.
Detailed Insight: By uncovering the hidden issues within consumer product industries, "Broken" focuses on the dangers of prioritizing profits over consumer well-being and environmental health. This series is a powerful reminder that modern consumers are increasingly wary of unethical practices, demanding accountability and transparency from brands.
Marketing Application: Use insights from "Broken" to emphasize sustainable practices and genuine product safety in your marketing campaigns. Communicate transparently about sourcing, production, and company values to build consumer trust. Engaging in sustainable practices can position your brand as a leader in corporate responsibility and appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
That is their business model, It is like the wild wild west online.
4. Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Main Ideas: Craftsmanship, dedication, continuous improvement, mastery.
Detailed Insight: The meticulous approach of Jiro Ono to sushi-making serves as an inspiring lesson in the art of branding through excellence. His commitment to perfecting his craft shows how dedication to quality and attention to detail can lead to remarkable brand prestige and customer devotion.
Marketing Application: Marketers should be inspired by Jiro's obsession with quality and precision, applying these principles to their product development and marketing strategies. Highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) and focus on delivering the highest quality to create an indelible brand reputation.
You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success.
- Jiro Ono
5. The Great Hack
Main Ideas: Data privacy, digital advertising, the power of data, ethical concerns.
Detailed Insight: Through the lens of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, "The Great Hack" delves into the complexities of data privacy and the immense power of data in the digital age. This series is a wake-up call about the responsibilities marketers hold and the fine line between effective data-driven marketing and privacy infringement.
Marketing Application: Take a page from "The Great Hack" by ensuring your data practices respect consumer privacy and adhere to ethical standards. Utilize data analytics intelligently and responsibly to personalize and enhance customer experiences without compromising their trust. Balance effectiveness with ethics to maintain a positive brand image.
They took your data and then, they took control.
6. Follow This
Main Ideas: Internet culture, emerging trends, digital journalism.
Detailed Insight: Created by BuzzFeed, "Follow This" explores various online phenomena and cultural shifts, offering snapshots of modern-day digital culture. The show’s short segments provide a quick way to stay informed about current trends that are shaping consumer behavior and the digital environment.
Marketing Application: Use this series as a tool to remain agile and culturally aware. Understanding these cultural shifts can provide marketers with insights into consumer desires and help develop strategies that are contemporary and relatable. Craft campaigns that reflect current trends to engage audiences effectively.
Today culture is something shaped by the internet.
7. House of Cards
Main Ideas: Strategic communication, public relations, narrative building.
Detailed Insight: "House of Cards" offers intricacies of power plays and strategic thinking by Frank Underwood that can be analogized in the business and marketing arenas. The series delves into the art of persuasive storytelling and managing public sentiment, which are crucial components in marketing.
Marketing Application: Employ the narrative building and strategic communication tactics showcased to enhance your brand’s presence. Effective storytelling, understanding consumer psychology, and strategic public relations are vital in creating influential marketing campaigns that resonate with audiences.
Money is the Mc-mansion in Sarasota that starts falling apart after 10 years. Power is the old stone building that stands for centuries.
- Frank Underwood
8. Inside Bill's Brain
Main Ideas: Innovation, thought leadership, social impact.
Detailed Insight: A deep dive into the mind of Bill Gates outlines how curiosity, problem-solving, and a focus on innovation can drive monumental success. Marketers can learn about leading with intelligence and empathy, thinking beyond profit to incorporate social impact into business models.
Marketing Application: Encourage innovative thinking and incorporate thought leadership into your marketing strategy. Align marketing efforts with societal benefits for enhanced brand image. Promote innovation within your team to create unique solutions that address both market needs and social challenges.
I don’t want my brain to stop working.
- Bill Gates
9. Girl Boss
Main Ideas: Entrepreneurship, resilience, creativity, brand evolution.
Detailed Insight: The journey of Sophia Amoruso encapsulates the struggles and triumphs of building a startup and cultivating a brand from conception. The series emphasizes the need for grit, creativity, and authenticity to successfully create and sustain a business and personal brand.
Marketing Application: Draw inspiration from Sophia’s entrepreneurial spirit by fostering creativity and resilience within your marketing team. Embrace authenticity in your brand narrative and encourage an environment where risk-taking and creativity are valued to differentiate your brand.
You don’t get taken seriously by asking someone to take you seriously.
10. The Mind Explained
Main Ideas: Cognition, perception, human behavior, psychology.
Detailed Insight: Understanding men’s mental processes is fundamental for effective communication. "The Mind Explained" delves into cognitive psychology, providing insights into how people think and why they make decisions, which is essential knowledge for marketers.
Marketing Application: Utilize this psychological insight to tailor marketing strategies that align with consumer decision-making processes. Apply principles of behavioral psychology to enhance engagement and conversion rates, crafting campaigns that speak to consumers on a deeper cognitive level.
Our memory just mediates our interaction with the world.
11. Black Mirror
Main Ideas: Technology's influence, societal impacts, speculative futures.
Detailed Insight: Each episode of "Black Mirror" serves as an anticipatory tale of technology intersecting with society, posing questions about future possibilities and ethical considerations. This series invites marketers to contemplate emerging technologies and how they might reshape consumer interactions and expectations.
Marketing Application: Stay ahead of technological trends and anticipate their potential impact on marketing practices and consumer behavior. By understanding and embracing technological advances, marketers can innovate and create futuristic strategies that appeal to tech-savvy audiences.
It’s our decisions along that path affect the whole that matters.
12. Fyre
Main Ideas: Marketing failures, brand authenticity, consumer trust.
Detailed Insight: The "Fyre" documentary is a compelling cautionary tale about the disaster stemming from misleading marketing and a failure to deliver. It examines the consequences of hype without substance and the critical failure to meet consumer expectations.
Marketing Application: Use the lessons from Fyre's missteps to emphasize the importance of authenticity and realistic promises in your marketing campaigns. Establish clear communication and deliver on promises to build and maintain consumer trust and confidence in your brand.
It was just the coolest party that you'd ever seen advertised.
- Gabrielle Bluestone
By turning to Netflix for insights and inspiration, marketers can augment their traditional knowledge with narrative-driven lessons from these series. Whether through documentaries that unravel the intricacies of today’s digital landscape or dramas that highlight strategic maneuvers, these shows offer marketers a wealth of knowledge about consumer psychology, strategic planning, and ethical considerations. So grab your remote, get comfortable, and let Netflix make you a better marketer.
