Matt Goulart
Thought Shift pioneers a unique approach to social impact, grounded in the power of perspective change. We utilize data-driven social media marketing, employing robust analytics to track campaign success and ensure measurable impact, similar to traditional agencies. Our core belief is that fostering small, consistent thought shifts cultivates healthier habits, driving significant positive change within individuals and society.
For large-scale initiatives, Thought Shift partners with organizations like the CDC and SAMHSA to measure real-world harm reduction and societal impact, going beyond standard marketing metrics. This collaborative, evidence-based methodology allows us to quantify the tangible benefits of investing in positive habit change, empowering individuals and communities to build a more resilient and balanced future.
Please reach us at peterfaulk@thoughtshift.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Thought Shift fundamentally differs from a traditional ad agency because while both leverage the power of marketing and advertising techniques, your organization wields these tools not to generate commercial profits or sell products, but solely for the profound benefit of humanity, driving positive behavioral shifts that foster mental, physical, and financial well-being.
While Thought Shift shares the Ad Council's noble non-profit mission of leveraging advertising for public good, its core innovation lies in addressing the "why" behind behaviors, not just the "what." Unlike the Ad Council, which often focuses on directly promoting or discouraging specific actions (e.g., "Don't Litter," "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk," or the immediate act of quitting smoking),
Thought Shift delves deeper into the underlying thought processes, mental states, and internal narratives that drive habits. By recognizing that negative behaviors often stem from stress, fear, tension, or anxiety, Thought Shift's strategy of influencing positive mental outlooks ("Be the Best," "Less is More," etc.) seeks to fundamentally shift the cognitive foundations, making sustainable behavior change, like quitting smoking due to a renewed sense of self-worth, a more inherent and lasting outcome.
Thought Shift is designed to partner with a diverse range of businesses, not just for funding, but as integral collaborators in fostering healthier communities and workforces. This includes forging alliances with corporations that dedicate philanthropic funds to mental health, wellness, youth development, and support for underprivileged groups, allowing Thought Shift to strategically apply these resources to maximize impact within those specific demographics. Furthermore, Thought Shift seeks direct partnerships with larger corporations to develop bespoke employee wellness programs, providing curated daily content via internal platforms like SharePoint, understanding that a less stressed, better rested, and generally healthier individual translates directly into a more engaged and productive employee, ultimately benefiting the entire business ecosystem.
Thought Shift offers a comprehensive suite of services that extend far beyond traditional advertising, serving as a catalyst for deep-rooted behavioral change. This encompasses expert-level marketing and advertising campaign development, but crucially integrates strategic planning, in-depth focus analysis, and a profound commitment to empathy to genuinely understand the complex interplay of mental stress, fears, tensions, and anxieties that drive negative habits.
When engaging with a specific community, Thought Shift actively fosters community collaboration by uniting diverse local leaders—from Chambers of Commerce and spiritual figures to educational and political authorities—in a concerted effort.
Through this collaborative approach, Thought Shift aims to illuminate the core "thinking" behind societal challenges, educating leaders and the wider community on how targeted, empathetic marketing can positively impact these root causes, shifting focus from merely treating symptoms like self-medication to cultivating sustainable mental well-being.
My background spans over two decades in marketing, working with major global companies and mastering digital and social media. I learned how to understand markets and engage people effectively. But my life experience also includes navigating intense personal struggles – severe stress, anxiety, and a painful journey through self-medication that escalated into addiction, costing me dearly both financially and medically.
It was this unique blend of professional marketing expertise and deeply challenging personal experience that forged the vision for Thought Shift. Through years of research and reflection, reading tens of thousands of articles, I saw clearly that most harmful excesses stem from our thought patterns, and that intentional thinking is key to changing them.
This led to the core idea: why not use marketing's power to influence behavior for good? Instead of selling things, we can use compelling, positive messages to encourage healthier thinking and reduce the personal habits that cause so much harm to individuals and society. This simple concept isn't new to me; it's a personal passion I've honed for over a decade, collaborating with hundreds and refining the approach.
I hope that you'll recognize the potential here and join me in this mission to reduce harm and foster a genuinely better society by helping people shift their thinking for the better.