Terrorism is marketing. It is an act of communication as much as it is an act of violence. Islamic jihadists gain reach and impact through marketing. We must fight back with a marketing battle plan. Where military might and diplomacy leave off, the book Weaponized Marketing Defeating Islamic Jihadists with Marketing that Built the World’s Top Brands offers a blueprint for success in the marketplace of ideas.
Islamic jihadists have effectively weaponized marketing
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri said: “The media jihad against the enemy is no less important than the material fight against it.” ISIS/Daesh recruits “media operatives” for “media platoons,” explaining that “media weapons” are “more potent than atomic bombs.” Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is said to be building on marketing innovations to become ISIS 2.0.
The various brands of terror are constantly evolving. Their control of territory and people expands and contracts. They see “defeat” as temporary. They know they can wait and relaunch.