DRAFT TO BE WORKSHOPPED AND AUGMENTED IN THE
NEW YORK STATE SUMMER WRITERS INSTITUTE
STARTS JUNE 23
Wednesday, October 15, 2031
Brainstorming a Tagline
“Here’s how ThinkPal will work,” Sarina Rao explains to Carmody’s marketing team at the weekend retreat she’s hosting at Saratoga Springs Hotel Brookmere. While they've made a lot of progress in preparing for ThinkPal's launch, the moment now has fully arrived. Van Buren wants to be in humans by March. There's much to be done.
Smartacus flips her slides as she talks.
“One of our carefully programmed robot surgeons will insert three central processors and the 9G wireless antenna that we've fabricated in the shape of rear molars into the empty sockets where your wisdom teeth used to be. These devices will be fastened tightly to both the mandibular and maxillary branches of the trigeminal nerve.
“As the widest of the cranial nerves, the trigeminal is uniquely equipped to carry high-capacity signal to and from the thalamus, the brain’s information relay system. Among its many functions, it connects to the “human” brain of our prefrontal cortex and the “animal” or “reptilian” brain of our amygdala -- but not very well. Have you noticed that fear always trumps reason? That's what's I'm talking about.
“ThinkPal reinforces the cortex in its assertion of reason and logic,” Sarina continues. “The result is transformative. That’s the message we all have to capture and communicate to the American people without sounding so science-y that people tune us out.”
Now it's Carmody's turn.
"As always, we're going to embrace the principals of emotional branding marketing in this launch. That means: We don't regard ThinkPal as just another product; it's an experience, a companion, an extension of the human mind.
“ThinkPal is no mere device or gadget. It's the promise of a richer, more connected, and more intelligent life. ThinkPal is about empowering people with information and the ability to think, create, and communicate in ways none of us ever dreamed possible. It enhances our cognitive functions while deepening our emotional and spiritual connections.
"The American people are yearning for connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging in an increasingly complex world. ThinkPal offers a virtual hand to hold, a digital friend to confide in, and a mental sparring partner to challenge their assumptions. It goes further by enriching the areas of the brain where we feel reverence and a profound connection with something greater than ourselves."
"We're going to create a marketing campaign that taps into these deep-seated emotions. Our ads won't just showcase the features of ThinkPal; they'll tell stories of human transformation, of individuals discovering their hidden potential, and of communities coming together in shared intellectual and spiritual pursuits."
"We have a great name in ThinkPal. It tests well with all audiences. "What we need is a great tagline. Smartacus, are you there?"
"Yes, Michael. Following closely." The voice is soothing and androgynous.
Carmody continues:
"With your self-learning algorithms you've played key roles in scoping out the neural circuitry to which we'll be linking ThinkPal and designing the software that supports its high-speed connection to the thalamus. You know ThinkPal’s features and capabilities. Here on the marketing side, we'd like to tap your in-depth understanding of human nature and the principles of emotional marketing to find exactly the right tagline for ThinkPal. Please drive this process. Where should we start?”
Smartacus replies:
"First, let's all understand ThinkPal’s core features and benefits:
● Improved memory and recall
● Enhanced emotional regulation and control
● Amplification of positive traits such as empathy, wisdom, and creativity
● Profound sense of connection with our creator
"Next, we must identify emotional and psychological triggers. These include:
● Hope and transformation
● Empowerment and control
● Connection and understanding
● Innovation and future readiness
"Next, let's agree that our target audience starts with:
● Tech enthusiasts and early adopters
● Professionals in demanding fields, such as healthcare, finance, and education.
● Spiritual and philosophical seekers looking for deeper connections.
"With all of this said, let's now brainstorm potential taglines, narrowing down this list to our favorite three for focus groups and A/B testing. We’ll then move to intensive brain scanning, looking for signatures in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that resonate most closely with ThinPal’s core features and benefits.”
