Humanity x Strategy | Art x Enterprise
Bound works with honesty to find true things that connect brands, communities, organizations, and everyday people. The intersections of humanity and strategy and art and enterprise form the tension holding everything together.
Original image: Eric Waters Photography (altered)
Hey. I'm Dave from Durham, NC. Bound is my latest artistic venture fueled by a curiosity of how things, and more importantly people, interact with each other.
I’m typically attracted to opportunities that feel right for reasons I can’t always explain. There’s a bit of magic in knowing just enough to decide on a chance—and learning from what happens. This inclination led me to partner in a leading market research and strategy firm, a c-person thing at a data-driven business and marketing consultancy, a fractional brand manager for a non-profit, and a self-propelled conceptual artist. As a human I still burn toast, make typos, and skip most social outings. However, I appreciate my connection to the wider world and all those around me. I’d love to hear what you’re up to. Send me a note.
A good informant tells the best story—the whole truth.
Theories exist reducing people to metrics. Segmentation and targeting are sometimes overzealous and/or just plain lazy when a lack of emotional understanding persists. Such theories are based on moments in time, not being timeless. Without a longer term POV, you’re wandering without a compass. Or an app that’s a compass.
Truth is found in data *and* humanity. Numbers don’t lie until we skew them to a narrative. People lie all the time, and in doing so communicate their truths. Data without human insight omits critical parts of any story. Same, an informant who only tells part of the truth loses his value. Your brand system and strategy deserve an informant who’s accurate and truthful, coming with a complete story of empirical evidence and empathy.
Truth is different.
A singular pursuit to be different is easy, attention-grabbing, and exhausting. If your contrast to competition is just a zag to be different, your engagement is a transaction. Constant reinvention will be required to stay relevant on these terms.
But sharing your truth builds lasting connection because the appeal lies in relating to who you really are. This opens the door to a host of engagement and real live connection. Telling (and selling) becomes more natural and more effective. That hits different.
People first.
I work with others everyday and value every relationship. I seek out collaborations when and where we can do our best work. Part of this is aligning Bound with other organizations.
People say the nicest things.
I'm grateful to help people with their amazing endeavors.
"Dave's superpower is his ability to see clarity through the clutter that surrounds your brand. A more accurate truthsayer just doesn't exist.”
Casey S. - Executive Director, Founder, Author