July 18th, 2012
I hate the word “branding” for 2½ reasons, all of which have everything to do with popular usage and connotative meaning…. Courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/trimmer741/ 1.) When Branding is used as a verb, it typically refers to the isolated one-time or occasional applying of tactics to improve brand image. “Branding” typically […]
September 6th, 2012
Routinely we talk with unhappy heads’ of companies disappointed with their current brand development effort. They say things like “the brand house don’t seem to get us”, or “they seem pretty rigid in their process”. And the truly terrifying “they didn’t ask many questions, but now I have a new […]
December 20th, 2012
It’s difficult to make a difference or solve an issue when you are spreading limited resources across a long list of worthy causes. Sometimes less really is more. It should come as no surprise that “just” giving money, without thoughtful coordination, doesn’t produce significant change. Nor does it cultivate any […]
April 15th, 2013
Here’s one plan… innovate a dynamic, new service or product; one that can change staid perspectives or whole industries… and then place it in the hands of people who only know and understand how to do what has always been done… and you will get bored and lackluster results. Here’s […]
May 24th, 2013
Our new peaceful protest wear has arrived! BlackDog’s Sacramento Lab will be closing up shop Friday May 24th to Occupy Monsanto. Given the magnitude of Monsanto’s power, influence, and impact on our collective social evolution, we’re investing our time on the picket line to take a stand for the health […]
June 3rd, 2013
We’ve all bumped into Cicero’s Latin placeholder in templates, websites and other draft work pieces. It serves to give a sense of shape, text or typography without confusion “by removing the distraction of meaningful content”.(1) Unfortunately, the same is true for much of the results of “branding” projects, or “re-branding” […]
June 14th, 2013
“Just because someone will buy it doesn’t mean that anyone should make or sell it.” ~ Gloria Zemer The Question: “In a presentation to my marketing class you indicated that we shouldn’t necessarily sell what markets will buy. What exactly does that mean for graduates with no authority? How are […]