Playboy’s new content marketing strategy is to remove nude photos from it’s iconic magazine. Why is this move gaining headlines? Because Playboy has been known for nude images (and the articles..) and now it won’t be. Just the articles then? With declining readership and sexual saturation on the internet it's a natural move. (Pun intended) “You’re now one click away from every sex act imaginable for free. And so it’s just passé at this juncture.” said Scott Flanders, the company’s chief executive.

Being Safe Is Risky. 

Hugh Hefner made the bold move in 1953 to include a nude photograph of Marilyn Monroe in his inaugural issue of Playboy, and the risk was seen round the world, launching a brand and empire for decades to follow. What lesson does this teach other businesses? Being safe is risky.

Ready To Talk Disruptive Ideas For Your Business? We Can Help Right F*ckin Now!

Hugh took a risk. Instead of playing it safe and staying with his current job at Esquire magazine he decided to start his own, and doing something remarkable. The risk made waves (especially in the 1950's!) and helped build a successful business. A lesson for CEO’s and executives alike. But now what? Now Playboy is backing away from it's roots, so is this a risky or safe?

Taking risk is needed. Risk leads to innovation and is one of the two principles for any company. 

Check out 'Playing it safe is riskier than you think' from HBR

“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two–and only two–basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.”

- Peter Drucker, business and management icon

If your company wants to stand out, differentiate, separate, and be remarkable, then it's gotta take some risks. Disruptive marketing ideas are among the risks you should be taking and thinking about.

The biggest mistake you can make with your business is to play it safe and copy what your competition is doing. 

CONCLUSION:

In today's connected economy it's important to be remarkable, to be memorable, and to be shareable. This will certainly take some risk, as nobody remembers boring. Nobody cares about boring, nobody buys boring. Being safe is risky. Check out HBR's article 

So what are you gonna f*ckin do next? ;)