TOTEM Times:
Digital & Cultural Transformation
The “ChatGPT Effect”
Large language models (LLMs) have transformed the search landscape. Here’s the general impact of the “ChatGPT Effect” on search. Shift from Linking to Answering. Traditional search engines focused on providing a list of links to sources. LLMs introduced generative answers, meaning users are provided with a synthesized, direct answer to their query immediately, often eliminating […]
A purposeful closing
Not yet, though. Our CEO, Andy Stalman, had the privilege of delivering the closing address at the 17th Leadership Course at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, organized by the Chair of Management and Business Culture. It was more than a conference. It was an encounter filled with emotion, reflection, and vision. A space to look […]
The impact of short videos on our brains is deeper and more concerning than many realize
According to an extensive meta-analysis*, excessive consumption of formats like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts negatively affects key cognitive functions such as sustained attention, self-control, and concentration. Simply put, the more we consume these short videos, the less capable we are of maintaining focus on tasks that require effort or extended time. From a […]
Will Your Next President Be an Artificial Intelligence?
Human politics drags an eternal burden: corruption, vested interests, blinding ideologies, divisive passions. Against this backdrop, AI emerges as a promise of objectivity, impartiality, and efficiency. Albania recently introduced Diella, an AI presented as a “minister” against corruption. The message was clear: an intelligence without personal interests or political ties. A sign that some governments […]
A defining moment for AI
After years of exponential investment and inflated promises, 2026 will test whether AI truly transforms business, creativity, and culture — or whether it falls into another wave of disillusionment. Global spending on AI infrastructure will surpass one trillion dollars, yet only around 5% of companies currently integrate AI into their core products or services. This […]
At TOTEM Branding, we believe every brand begins with its people
When Emmanuel College (University of Queensland) entrusted us with the evolution of its brand identity, we set out to do more than refresh visuals — we set out to capture the essence of a community that, since 1911, has inspired generations. From day one, our approach was rooted in listening. We brought together students, alumni, […]
Can you make it to the end of this post?
In today’s digital age, attention has become one of the most valuable and scarce resources. The overabundance of information, content, and stimuli that users receive daily creates fierce competition to capture and maintain people’s attention. This phenomenon, known by many as the “attention economy,” poses unique challenges for brands and businesses seeking to stand out […]
Cuando uno piensa que ya llegó al final, otro piensa que recién está empezando
Después de más de 150 episodios con distintos invitados, hablando de tendencias, de todo tipo de especialidades y de branding, MUCHO branding, hoy arranca una temporada que esperamos que sea muy especial. Sabemos que en internet está lleno de podcasts muy interesantes, y que competir por la atención y el tiempo de alguien no es […]
Where are the fastest-moving conversations about marketing and branding happening?
It’s not just on LinkedIn anymore. Or Instagram. TOTEM is now also on TikTok. Because not all knowledge is shared in carousels or PDFs. On TikTok, we talk about what’s happening each week in branding, marketing, creativity, and brands: → Trends that are setting the course. → News that you have to read between the […]
The way people search, interact, and decide on the internet is changing radically
At 2 years, 7 months, and 22 days old, ChatGPT processes more than 2.5 billion interactions per day. Google processes approximately 14 billion searches per day. ChatGPT received nearly 1 billion prompts per day a year ago. Gemini and other generative AIs are growing, but it’s still estimated they receive a fraction of ChatGPT’s traffic. […]
