Every now and again a book comes along that expands your mind, challenges conventional wisdom, and is truly disruptive—a precursor to progress. Connected by Design is such a book. Functional integration has enormous relevance as an organizing principle way beyond marketing. I urge you to read the book, be disruptive, and unleash the power of connectedness. It can only do you good.” —Keith Weed, chief marketing and communication officer, Unilever
“Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman have discovered a new secret formula for growth that re-imagines how your company creates value: functional integration. Organizations must embrace the disruptive change of functional integration in order to grow in the new world order of consumer engagement.” —Joseph V. Tripodi, chief marketing and commercial officer, The Coca-Cola Company
“To be a chief marketing officer today means also being a chief technology officer and chief experience officer. Connected by Design uncovers the business model at the heart of this change, offering valuable examples, tips, and principles for putting the model into action. It’s a must-read for anyone working in marketing at a major brand today.” —Marc Speichert, global chief marketing officer, L’Oreal Group
“Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman have taken a topic close to the hearts of many—design—and shown how the world's leading companies have successfully integrated it into their business models. Connected by Design is that rare book that can help unify the disparate parts of a big company, from marketing to sales to product development.” —Beth Comstock, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, GE
"I see companies struggling every day to stay relevant in their consumers’ busy lives. Connected by Design maps out how companies like Nike, Google, and Apple have excelled in engaging consumers in the digital age while driving sales growth. It is an essential read for any brand leader looking to succeed in today's mobile, social, omnichannel world.” —Jim Stengel, author, Grow, and former global marketing officer, The Procter & Gamble Company
“Functional integration is the defining business model of our day, and Connected by Design captures the essence of this emerging model and how to apply it. Those who want to differentiate and find new ways to grow should find this book extremely helpful.” —Michael Roth, chairman and chief executive officer, Interpublic Group
“R/GA has remained ahead of its competition by reinventing itself, and R/GA’s newest transformation is designed to help brands achieve functional integration. Connected by Design outlines how brands like Nike, Google, Amazon, Apple and McCormick have grown with functional integration and why you’ll want to consider it for your brand.” —Rick Boyko, former director, Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter; former chief creative officer, Ogilvy North America
“If you have ever wondered about the secret to the enormous success of companies such as Apple, Google, Nike, and Amazon, Connected By Design is for you. This engaging and readable book explains the functional integration business model of these companies . A must-read for understanding how to survive and grow in the dynamic and complex age of networks and ecosystems.” —Jerry Wind, The Lauder Professor, The Wharton School
“Brands that aren’t rethinking how to connect their products, services, and communications are leaving brand equity on the table. Functional integration is a great playbook for creating and capturing brand value in the digital age.” —John Gerzema, chairman and CEO, BAV consulting, and author, The Athena Doctrine
“Connected By Design represents the business course you never took, but should have, and the design class you never had, but now wish you did. It prepares your mind and way of thinking for this high-speed world, where more and more value is delivered in the form of digital experiences. Barry Wacksman and Chris Stutzman take you deep into leading companies and share their guiding principles.” —Keith Yamashita, chairman, SY/Partners and SY/Products
