Welcome to Braden Social
We’re a brand consultancy that applies behavioral science to social marketing to help you Swim Against the Stream™
SOCIAL MARKETING | CONTENT CREATION | CONSULTATION
Behavioral science is the study of human behavior, using peer-reviewed and observed data from world-renowned experts. We leverage this science to solve your marketing challenges.
Since 2014, we’ve been trusted by Happy Valley’s leading brands such as Shaner Hotels, Federal Taphouse, the Centre County United Way, The Field Burger & Tap, Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park, RE/MAX, Penn State University, and more.
Meet Eric Braden Zimmett
“Hey there! I’m Eric. Over a decade ago, I founded this agency to blend behavioral science with social marketing. Since then, we’ve helped brands stand out by not just following trends, but by setting them.”
Swim Against the Stream: the Von Restorff effect, named after Hedvig von Restorff, illustrates our tendency to remember distinctive elements in a sea of sameness. “We are hard-wired to notice what is distinctive.” —Richard Shotton
“As we move mustache-first into the next decade, I’m thrilled to tackle new challenges and continue learning and growing alongside our clients. If you have a project in mind, or if you’re just starting to think about how behavioral science can elevate your marketing, give me a call on my cell. I’m here when you’re ready to dive in 814-441-7717.”
The first agency in Central Pa backed by behavioral science
Eric founded Braden Social in 2014, establishing it as Central Pennsylvania’s first social media agency. His innovative approach soon evolved to include behavioral science, mirroring trends seen at leading global advertising firms like Ogilvy, which boasts its own behavioral science division, Ogilvy Consulting.
By integrating principles from behavioral science, such as the Von Restorff effect, into our marketing campaigns, we ensure that our clients’ brands stand out in a crowded marketplace. This approach is designed to capture attention and foster memorable connections between brands and their audiences.
Eric holds advanced certifications from Ogilvy Consulting and Cannes Lions School, with specialized training in Behavioral Science, Social Marketing, and Strategic Marketing. He’s studied from industry experts Rory Sutherland, Robert Cialdini, Daniel Kahneman, and Howard Luck Gossage.
We leverage the power of Social Proof to enhance our social marketing campaigns. By showcasing how others engage with a brand, we naturally increase interest and trust among new potential customers. For instance, in our social campaign for The Field Burger & Tap, featuring user-generated content significantly boosted engagement by showcasing real customer experiences. This approach not only highlighted the brand’s popularity but also enhanced its relatability and appeal. Von Restorff and Social Proof are two of literally dozens of relevant principles at our disposal.
“Remember, if you never do anything differently, you’ll reduce your chances of enjoying lucky accidents.” — Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and founder of Ogilvy Consulting
Eric Zimmett is certified by Ogilvy Consulting in Social Marketing, Behavioral Science, and Applied Behavioral Science.
Eric is certified by Cannes Lions School for Storytelling, Behavioral Science for Brands, Lions Course on Copywriting, as well as Cannes Lions and WARC Course on Marketing Strategy.
Folklore: The Story of Braden
Braden [Bradán] is derived from an Irish Gaelic word meaning ‘salmon’
Bradán feasa is the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ in Irish folklore.
The Salmon of Knowledge
According to Celtic legend, an ordinary salmon ate nine hazelnuts that fell into the well of wisdom. By this act, the salmon gained the world’s knowledge. The first person to eat of its flesh would, in turn, gain this knowledge.
The poet Finegas spent seven years searching for the salmon unsuccessfully. Until he brought his student Fionn mac Cumhail — or Finn McCool — with him on his journey.
After catching the salmon, Finegas handed it to Finn to prepare. Finn cooked the salmon, turning it over and over, but when he touched the fish to see if it was cooked, he burnt his finger on a drop of hot cooking fish fat. Finn sucked on his burned finger to ease the pain.
When Finn brought the cooked meal to Finegas, his master saw that the boy’s eyes shone with a previously unseen wisdom. Finegas asked Finn if he had eaten any of the salmon. Answering no, the boy explained what had happened. Finegas realized that Finn had received the wisdom of the salmon, so he gave him the rest of the fish to eat.
Finn ate the salmon and in so doing gained all the knowledge of the world. The deep knowledge and wisdom gained from the Salmon of Knowledge allowed Finn to become the leader of the Fianna, the famed hero of Irish myth. ∎
Meet Eric at Mugshots Salon
An exchange of ideas across advertising, art, music, and psychology
Mugshots Salon exists to exchange ideas across diverse creative fields. We believe in the potential of everyone to tap into their inherent creativity. Hosted by Eric from Braden Social, Mugshots is inspired by the legendary Firehouse Salon led by Howard Luck Gossage in 1960s San Francisco—a meeting point for luminaries like John Steinbeck, Buckminster Fuller, Tom Wolfe, and the Grateful Dead.
Join us as we bridge the worlds of advertising, art, music, and psychology.
“While the roots of the salon can be found in Ancient Greece and Rome, the first recorded salons took place in Italy in the 15th Century — a precursor to the Enlightenment Period. They were an opportunity for artists, poets, musicians, thinkers to come together and share ideas.” — thesalonhost.com
Mugshots Salon is held on select evenings each month, offering a blend of lively discussion and networking opportunities. For the coffee crowd, we also host Morning Mugshots every Monday from 8am-10am. Follow us on Facebook for our full calendar, and join us at Gavel & Quill in the Historic Bellefonte District at 111 E. High St., next to the Centre County Courthouse.
Kind Words
“Eric specializes in capturing authentic moments with a unique approach that focuses on genuine emotions and spontaneous interactions. I’m always impressed with his ability to deliver personal and natural images that stand out. Eric excels at revealing the beauty in everyday moments with a talent for candid photography that captures memories authentically. I would hire him again in a heartbeat.”
Ciara Halloran – Realtor, RE/MAX
“I like Eric’s perspective. He always lays out a solid business case for why people should use technology to enhance their business. It’s stuff that small business owners need to know.“
Jay Hauser, Technical Editor at Google Cloud
“Your work is excellent. I love your feeling for people dynamics.”
Andrea Kršul, Visual Artist at Academy of Applied Arts
“Eric has gotten excellent results for us with Braden Social. He’s personable, dependable, and receptive.”
Jacqueline (Malone) Sheader, DBA
Braden Social is a brand consultancy that applies behavioral science to social marketing to help you Swim Against the Stream™
SOCIAL MARKETING | CONTENT CREATION | CONSULTATION BACKED BY BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE | BRADEN SOCIAL LLC
☎️ 814-441-7717
📧 eric@bradensocial.com
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Swim Against the Stream™ 🌊🐟
Braden Social by Eric Zimmett 