TOTEM Times:
Philosophy & Humanism
Facts. Lit. Mood. POV. Slay. Low key. High key. Vibes. Main character. Cancelled.
This is how people talk today. And when language changes, so do the codes, behaviors, and the way brands connect—or fail to connect. Brands that ignore Generation Z not only lose market share; they lose cultural and social relevance in a market that no longer tolerates empty promises. Language changes, codes mutate, and behaviors evolve […]
Equality doesn’t fail due to a lack of female talent
It fails because of systems that continue to reward the status quo. Today, Sunday the 8th, we celebrate something special. At TOTEM Branding, every 8th of the month we remember the importance of #8hugs: conscious gestures that put people at the center and strengthen the bonds that sustain any real change. And it’s no coincidence […]
Celebrating the power of brands that create real relationships
Almost no one gets a logo tattooed, because people get tattoos of what they love. Valentine’s Day often reminds us of something essential: the importance of loving and being loved. The value of authentic connections. And in the world of brands, this matters too. A lot. Brands that leave a mark aren’t those that seek […]
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 […]
In our work, fun isn’t the opposite of serious; fun is the opposite of boring.
For years, we were led to believe that work should be a burden, a solemn responsibility, a perpetual sacrifice. But we now know that work isn’t just about producing: it’s about creating, connecting, and leaving a mark. And everything created with passion, commitment, and love deserves to be celebrated. Celebrating isn’t wasting time. It’s honoring […]
If you’re over 60, this post is for you. If you’re under 60, it’s for you too
The dominant narrative of the digital age was youth. We became obsessed with Millennials and Generation Z, the speed of their scrolling, and their appetite for instant gratification. The spotlight of marketing and investment in innovation shone almost exclusively on the youngest generation. But while we looked to the future, something monumental, silent, and transformative […]
The emerging crisis we’re not talking about enough. A silent crisis among the world’s youth.
While overall mortality is declining, death rates among teenagers and young adults are stagnating or even rising in many countries. The reasons? A complex combination of mental health struggles, substance abuse, suicide, and social disconnection. It’s a paradox of our time: in an era defined by connectivity, many young people feel more isolated than ever. […]
Designing a culture isn’t about writing a document. It’s about igniting a movement.
It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to (literally) write the soul of an organization. That’s what we did with the PEGASUS FOUNDATION’s Cultural Identity Book. But it would be unfair to call it a project. It was much more. It meant looking beyond the manuals to understand what truly unites a team: […]
Today is 8, 8 hugs. Why 8 hugs? And why every 8?
Because there are gestures that don’t need translation. Because before brands, strategies, or algorithms existed, there was this: a hug. Science confirms it. Hugs reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), release oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and strengthen the immune system. Hugging not only soothes the soul, it also protects the body. And there’s more: studies show […]
Not all cultures are visible. But they are all felt
Many companies love to talk about culture. They prepare presentations, define values, design internal campaigns. But at TOTEM, we know that culture isn’t designed with aesthetics. It’s forged with decisions. Culture is the silent conversation between what an organization says it values and what it truly prioritizes when there’s no focus, no cameras, no urgency. […]
