January 6th, 2011
We have a timid (and slightly out of touch) leadership which produces a lame brand. I can’t get money allocated for research or outside brand support because everyone holding the purse strings is afraid of the findings (change). Any suggestions (other than a career change)? One iconic brand provides all […]
January 18th, 2011
What have you been wanting to brand but haven’t gotten a chance to yet? A Public School (likely our next pro bono project). Every kid should know why they “attend” this place, what matters around here (authentically), what it means to belong “here”, what “we” collectively stand for, are made […]
March 7th, 2011
The goal of branded communications is to say something real: to identify what differentiates and distinguishes your brand in a crowded marketplace, to communicate your relevance, and to address the issues that matter to your customers. The most effective brand messages do more than just catch people’s attention, they help […]
March 17th, 2011
What are your favorite taglines? Least favorite? My favorite is “Live Free or Die”, the official motto of the U.S. state of New Hampshire, adopted in 1945. I like “Don’t just watch TV; Direct TV” I loved the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Christmas Campaign in 2010: “When you put money […]
March 26th, 2011
I called your firm for an estimate for a brochure. I spoke with your communication strategist, forwarded marketing and communication materials, liked you on Facebook, and looked forward to a proposal. BlackDog declined the opportunity. I thought that you didn’t have time to write a proposal. I offered to forgo […]
June 7th, 2011
“Acceptance of prevailing standards often means we have no standards of our own.” Jean Toomer Will anyone search out your sponsors’ products and services simply because you permitted their logo to grace your stage, your ad space, your playbill? Sometimes advertising, sponsorship, and strategic partnership slumming happens because the bills […]
June 23rd, 2011
What exactly is a brand touchpoint? A brand touchpoint is anything, absolutely anything, that you do in the course of conducting business that gives a customer a reason to think more or less of you. Does your grocery store schlep food and goods? Or do you bring health and nutrition […]
July 6th, 2011
How will I know when it’s time to brand or re-brand? What are the signs? If we agree that a brand is simply the central organizing principle that engages teams internally and customers externally then it makes sense to “evolve” your brand when your business is ready to evolve. When […]
August 3rd, 2011
Narrativity: [nar-uh-tiv-uh-tee]: 1.) the degree to which your brand spunk, funk, credibility, attitude, and vibe shines through your messaging. 2.) Your voice, your verbiage, your tone. While preparing for a wine-touring camping trip to Watkins Glen, I began perusing the websites of the nearby Seneca Lake wineries and plotting my […]
August 25th, 2011
The hardest thing about Brand Development isn’t the time intensive research…. It isn’t being consistent yet flexible… innovative yet timeless. The hardest thing about Brand Development isn’t creativity, charisma, social media, new marketing, old ideologies, fierce competition, or even too many cooks in the kitchen (although that is a much […]