Alright 2026, Let’s Do This!
Newsletter #104
This Week:
How to Write an Amazing Thank-You Note
The Numbers Are In…
Just for Laughs
Before We Go…
1. Writing Thank-You Notes Matters
The bottom line first: your handwritten thank-you note will be remembered simply because you sent it.
Handwritten thank-you notes have become uncommon and are easy to overlook in a digital-first world. Many send quick emails of thanks. Some people still intend to send a handwritten one. Very few actually do. In a world of quick replies, reaction emojis, and “circling back,” taking the time to write and mail a real note already sets you apart.
Here’s why gratitude still matters, and how to make a thank you note unforgettable
2. Our Top Story From 2025
The books have officially closed on 2025, and the numbers are in! Our most-read story of 2025 explored how Costco responded to online backlash after changing its diaper manufacturer — and what communicators can learn from the moment.
Did you miss it? The numbers don’t lie — it’s one you won’t want to, so we’re resharing it this week.
3. Just for Laughs
It’s a well-known fact that in communications, the final draft is never THE final draft.
4. Before We Go…
From The New York Times: Behind the scenes of our Nicolás Maduro front page
What happens when late-breaking news requires a quick change to the front cover of one of the biggest newspapers in the world? Here’s how the process unfolds.
From Marketing Brew: TikTok signs deal to spin off US operations
“CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees in a memo that it had come to an agreement with a series of investors, with a closing date of January 22.”
“Tech companies and developers looking to plunge billions of dollars into ever-bigger data centers to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing are increasingly losing fights in communities where people don’t want to live next to them, or even near them.”
From Because of Marketing on LinkedIn: The most iconic Nike ads
It’s indisputable that Nike is one of the all-time powerhouses in advertising. Walk down memory lane and take a look at some of their vintage ads from over the years.
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