Above: Collaboration from artists ACK! and MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ for our old Culture Pilot parking lot mural.

We derive insights from timeless Human Truths to craft bespoke marketing strategies tailored to each brand's essence.

But what does that really mean?

Human Truths are fundamental observations or principles that reflect common aspects of human nature, behavior, and experiences. While these truths may not apply to every individual in every circumstance, they hold true for the vast majority.

Today, we're sharing a few admirable brands using Human Truths to strengthen their market positioning... and while we're at it, we're admiring some Human-Made Art thanks to our friends at Up Art Studio and so many talented Texas Artists.

Take the day off, AI.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by WILEY ROBERTSON.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Regardless of our differences, humans share a universal desire for love, acceptance, and belonging.

LOYAL is on a mission to extend the lives of our furry loved ones through cellular longevity. As a central core value, empathy and respect for all life is a guiding principle behind their goal: To give our best friends more time.

The HRC Foundation is leading the cause for fundamental fairness and equality for all humans. When we imagine a world where everyone feels safe and accepted, The HRC Foundation is moving us one step closer to making that dream a reality.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by NICE.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Humans are naturally inclined to seek safety, stability, and comfort in their lives.

NEST (now Google Nest) is a smart home brand which welcome visitors with the message "Your helpful home starts here" and continues with "Peace of mind, inside and out." A standout example of security without hyperbole.

Volvo has been the luxury car brand synonymous with safety longer than we can remember, and who currently positions itself as "The future of safety leadership."

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by MAX LOWTIDE.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

We often seek deeper meaning or reason through action with purpose.

Imperfect Foods is a grocery delivery for, you guessed it, imperfect foods. They operate on the principle that fighting food waste contributes to a more sustainable food system through salvaging food that might otherwise be discarded for blemishes or surplus.

VEJA puts 100% of their efforts into making a quality product, mixing social projects, economic justice, and ecological materials. And zero effort into advertising. Because when you stand fully behind the purpose of good work, you might just build a loyal community of advocates along the way.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by BEYONDGRASP.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Humans often crave knowledge and discovery. We are curious beings.

TED has been "discovering and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change." for 40 years. Happy 40 to our friends at TED!

REI Co-op is a member-owned co-operative that encourages all humans to find our best selves. REI Adventure Trips offer 100+ active vacation itineraries for the curious adventurer in all of us.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by MALCOLM BYERS.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Who likes change? Odds are in favor of: Not most of us.

Impossible Foods are moving consumers past their fear that plants can't taste as delicious as meat. And they're proving small actions can make big change toward the most effective way of reducing our environmental footprint.

Balance Meditation is helping us alleviate the fear that not doing anything is sometimes key to everything. And they are "a fully distributed company of voracious learners and passionate doers, driven by our vision to help billions of people lead healthy, joyful, and productive lives." Did we just become best friends?

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by PAUL GARSON.
‍Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

When change is inevitable, we must adapt.

Traditional automakers have adapted to a century's worth of progression, from government standards to consumer preferences and rapid shifts in technology demands. And new brands have surfaced thanks to the evolution of the EV market, such as Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar.

Uber has taken a framework of crowd-sourced transportation and quickly answered new market demands. They've transitioned from transporting people, to food and grocery delivery, to full-on commercial courier and freight services. All in under 10 years.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by USAGI WASABI.
‍Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

People love people. Well, most of us, anyway.

Organizations like SXSW and Austin City Limits were born as small music events and are now among the longest-running festivals in North America. ACL has now created a standalone concert hall, and each event draws huge crowds, producing annual economic impact for the city of Austin, TX.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a shining example of continually maintaining relevance in a world where traditional media struggles to adapt. They prove that bringing people together for shared experiences still has a place when innovation and thoughtfulness meet rock solid service.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by JEKS.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Our mood impacts us every day. Often, we don't realize it because we're not paying attention to it.

Pixar has been a trailblazer in emotional impact through cinema, making a living for years by creating beautifully animated content that hits us in the feels. They even made a film about emotions.

Newer studios like A24 continue to push new levels of creativity in film and television, proving that people's desire for original emotional art is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by HIERO VEIGA.
‍Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

If we're not mistaken, we all make mistakes. But can we actively learn in review?

In 2015, Volkswagon made some unfortunate choices, ending in an emissions scandal, otherwise known as Dieselgate. Unsurprisingly, that led to an immediate downfall in financial hardship and social perception.

Thanks to a change in leadership and a significant renewed focus on electric vehicles and sustainability, VW has since re-emerged in a positive light as one of the world's top manufacturers of electric vehicles along their long-standing line of traditional models, including several luxury brands such as Audi and Porsche.

↓ Backdrop Mural Art by JESSE DE LEON.
Check it out at Houston Mural Maps >>

Through success and failure, we can learn, grow and even teach. Or take a chance with red flags and bask in complacency.

Remember when Blockbuster and Radioshack were on top of the world? There are countless similar stories of companies who seemed invincible in their respective markets. In this case, each took a backseat to the changing world around them until one day, it was too late.

On the flip side, there are few brands like Nike who continue to show us that captivating stories of challenging success can motivate us until the end of time.

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