No – I do not have a yellow “BELIEVE” sign above the entrance to my office. Sometimes I wished though I had such a powerful and simple message as a daily reminder of the optimism and kindness Ted Lasso brings. I admit that I was instantly charmed by Ted’s unrelenting positivity, warm humor, and folksy leadership wisdom. Every episode left me smiling and aspiring to become better both in my role as a consultant and in my personal life. Ted Lasso’s philosophy encouraged me to be a little more empathetic, a bit more curious (without becoming judgmental), and a lot more optimistic. It’s amazing how a fictional football coach from Kansas can teach real-world lessons about teamwork, human connection, and believing in the best in people. Ted Lasso won me over quickly and easily with its optimism and heart—and taught me that genuine kindness can be a superpower in business and life: a superpower that is much needed in these days.
Relevance at the Core of Ted Lasso’s Success
Beyond the laughter and feel-good moments, I pondered the question why this particular show became a global phenomenon. The answer I keep coming back to is one word: Relevance. Ted Lasso struck a chord because it perfectly aligned with what audiences needed, with industry trends, and with timeless human values.
The show debuted in a period when the world was weary of cynicism and hardship. In an overall industry that was flooded with dark anti-heroes and snarky comedies, all of sudden emerges Ted, a character transpiring genuinely hope, sincerity, and decency. That innate goodness resonated deeply with pandemic-weary viewers who craved uplifting narratives. It was the right story at the right time. Its themes of optimism, teamwork, and personal growth felt tailor-made for the moment. It restored our faith that positivity and integrity can prevail.
In strategy terms, Ted Lasso is a case study in relevance – showing how content can meet people where they are and give them what they didn’t even know they were missing. And as someone who helps organizations craft strategies to stay relevant with their audience, I couldn’t help but notice how this aligns with our own framework on how we guide clients.
(Quick context: At Global Media Consult, we use something called the GMC Strategy Compass to ensure any initiative stays relevant from all angles. It looks at four key dimensions – Content, Audience, People, and Technology – all centered around relevance.)
Applying the GMC Strategy Compass to Ted Lasso
Looking at Ted Lasso through the lens of the Strategy Compass reveals a masterclass in alignment. Every “direction” of the compass reinforces the show’s relevance and success:
- Content (North) – Storytelling with Heart: At its core, Ted Lasso tells a unique, uplifting story with exceptional emotional depth. The writing and storytelling never lose sight of the show’s heart – it’s an underdog sports comedy that’s really about belief and human connection. The show balances hilarious one-liners with poignant life lessons, creating a narrative that’s fresh yet familiar. The Ted Lasso team turned what could have been a one-note joke (an American football coach in a British soccer world) into a richly developed story about personal growth, teamwork, and empathy. The storytelling is so engaging and unique that it stands out in the marketplace. Its content stays true to a clear mission: make people laugh, cry a little, and leave each episode feeling better than before – perfectly reflecting a brand of optimism and value-driven storytelling that audiences love.
- Audience (East) – Meeting Evolving Audience Needs: Great content isn’t enough if it doesn’t resonate with its audience. Ted Lasso excelled here by giving viewers exactly what they were hungry for, even if they didn’t articulate it. Over the past few years, audiences have shown a growing appetite for uplifting, emotionally intelligent narratives – stories that make us feel seen, hopeful, and connected. Ted Lasso arrived at just the right time, offering a “breath of fresh air” in the midst of many darker TV trends.
Amidst a setting with cynical anti-heroes, Ted’s earnest kindness and belief in others was at first naive – but quickly won everyone over and eventually stood out. Viewers found comfort (and maybe a bit of catharsis) in a show that wasn’t afraid to be sincerely positive. In fact, some have said watching Ted Lasso felt almost therapeutic during a tough period. The creators also understood the importance of emotional intelligence; the show doesn’t shy away from topics like mental health, vulnerability, and personal growth, which deeply connect with today’s viewers. By aligning with audience values (kindness, camaraderie, resilience) and needs (for positivity and hope), Ted Lasso built a devoted global fanbase. It’s the classic case of knowing your audience and delivering something both entertaining and meaningful. - People (West) – Visionary Team and Culture: Behind this exceptional content is a passionate team – the writers, actors, and crew – whose vision and collaboration made the magic happen. Ted Lasso’s success isn’t an accident; it’s the product of people who deeply believed in the show’s optimistic spirit. Co-creator and star Jason Sudeikis had a crystal-clear picture of Ted as a character who is fundamentally kind, curious, and uplifting. He and the writing team were committed to a positive tone from day one. (As fellow creator Bill Lawrence shared in an interview, Sudeikis’s big pitch was to make the show “relentlessly optimistic and hopeful” – precisely because the world could use that boostdenofgeek.com.) That unified vision created a strong creative culture: the writers room and set fostered collaboration, trust, and a shared mission to tell a story about the good in people. You can feel that heartwarming, cohesive energy in every scene. It’s a show created by people who walk the talk of teamwork and believe in their message. Moreover, the cast’s chemistry and commitment brought these themes to life authentically. (Fun fact: Brett Goldstein was initially a writer on the show before perfectly embodying the gruff-but-lovable Roy Kent. Talk about a team recognizing talent within!) The organizational culture behind Ted Laso valued creativity, inclusivity, and adaptability, much like Ted’s own locker-room leadership. When a team (whether a football team or a production crew) is empowered and aligned on a common goal, it shows in the final product. Ted Lasso is proof that when people on a project share a positive vision and collaborate openly, they deliver something truly special.
- Technology (South) – Platform, Digital Strategy & Beyond: Ted Lasso might have a small-town soul, but it achieved worldwide reach thanks to modern technology and distribution. Being an Apple TV+ original, the show leveraged a global streaming platform from the get-go – meaning fans from London to Los Angeles to Bangalore could all discover it easily. (In fact, from January to June 2023, Ted Lasso demand was in the top 2.6% of all TV titles across 39 global markets and it became the #1 streaming-original worldwide for that quarter).
Apple’s digital marketing savvy also helped: trailers, social media buzz, and weekly episode drops kept conversation flowing online, fueling that word-of-mouth momentum. (I think they took out a page of Netflix’s PR textbook). But the tech synergy didn’t stop at streaming. The Ted Lasso phenomenon expanded through transmedia in clever ways. One shining example: the characters of AFC Richmond (Ted’s team) were integrated into the video game FIFA 23, with all the main characters playable with their real voices and likenesses! This crossover not only thrilled existing fans (who wouldn’t want to score a goal with Roy Kent or Coach Lasso on the sidelines?) but also introduced the show to gaming audiences. Additionally, the show’s positive messaging crossed into the world of apps and podcasts – even a mindfulness app teamed up to create Ted Lasso-themed meditation exercises for wellness. From streaming technology to social media engagement and cross-industry partnerships, Ted Lasso leveraged technology to meet fans where they are. It’s a prime example of how using the right platforms and innovative digital strategies can amplify a story’s relevance and accessibility. In the TV industry nowadays, technology is the wind in the sails of great content, carrying it farther and faster – and Ted Lasso caught that tailwind perfectly.
The Power of Alignment – When All Arrows Point to Relevance
What truly excites me about this analysis is how beautifully it showcases the power of alignment. Ted Lasso didn’t just excel in one area – it aligned its content, audience connection, people (team), and technology all towards one goal: creating something relevant and resonant. This holistic alignment is exactly what the GMC Strategy Compass is designed to illuminate. At the center of our compass is Relevance, and Ted Lasso lives at that center. Each element of the show’s strategy reinforced the others: the content was crafted to inspire, the audience was craving that inspiration, the people behind it shared an inspired vision, and the tech delivered that inspiration worldwide. It’s a virtuous cycle. As our Strategy Compass framework puts it, “At the core of the compass lies Relevance, the thread that ties each direction together.”
When content, audience, people, and technology are all in harmony, the result can be a cultural touchstone. In this case, a show that became a global touchstone for optimism and kindness.
From a professional standpoint, seeing Ted Lasso’s success through this model makes me incredibly proud of the work we do. It reaffirms that focusing on relevance isn’t just a theoretical exercise, but a practical recipe for success. Whether we’re creating a new strategy with a client, helping to implement a new TV product, or, say, consulting on how to make sense of all the trends, disruption and transformation out there, using a compass to check “Are we aligned on all fronts?” can be the difference between a good effort and an extraordinary one. Ted Lasso is a testament to the magic that happens when every stakeholder and strategy arrow points to true north (or in this case, to a big yellow “BELIEVE” sign).
Inspiration & Call to Action – Keeping It Relevant
Ted Lasso’s triumph inspires me to “be curious, not judgmental” about what makes content truly resonate. So I’ll end on a question and a friendly challenge: What do you think makes a story or project truly relevant in today’s world? Is it tapping into universal values? Listening deeply to your audience’s changing needs? Empowering a great team? Embracing new technology? Perhaps a pinch of all of the above. I’d love to hear your thoughts and examples – whether it’s a show, a business initiative, or a personal project that made you go “Wow, this just works on every level.”
In true Ted Lasso spirit, let’s keep this conversation positive and inclusive. After all, the best insights often come from teamwork. Believe in your idea, align your strategy compass, and who knows – you might just create the next big thing that brings the world a little closer together.
Thanks for reading. Now over to you – what makes content relevant to you?
