December 7th, 2010
“Social Media isn’t a fad, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate.” Erik Qualman, The Social Media Revolution(1) Unfortunately, most companies use their Facebook pages as little more than a new medium for their old school marketing tactics. Facebook isn’t a place for interruption marketing, engagement through bribery, […]
January 14th, 2011
What are some of BlackDog’s favorite brands? We are a motley crew of conscientious critics with diverse tastes…here are a few that rolled off the tongues quickly: TED James Bond Porsche Knoll Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) Santa Cruz Bicycles lululemon athletic Aveda Working Assets Patagonia
January 15th, 2011
How can a business build brand equity around a charitable activity without appearing to be “doing it just for the publicity”? If the purpose of a business’ charitable activities is just to build brand equity, they are “doing it just for the publicity.” It’s not a publicity stunt if a […]
January 16th, 2011
How can a business build brand equity around a charitable activity without appearing to be “doing it just for the publicity”? Another thought on an otherwise answered question: The Medinge Group recognizes “Brands with a Conscience” annually. The self-described think tank nominates organizations that demonstrate a genuine “contribution to the […]
January 17th, 2011
What’s the point? We have found that outrageous talent united around a common focus, shared values, and a philosophical sense of purpose, engaged in meaningful work, that exercises the core competencies and enthuses the synergy of the working community of people, managed by commitment with enough resources to accomplish their […]
January 18th, 2011
What makes the BlackDog book list…what magazines do you subscribe to, read, or recommend? Rotman Good FastCompany Monocle Communication Arts Wired Orion Magazine Print Magazine Utne Reader Eye Magazine The New Yorker The Atlantic Monthly Rolling Stone Best Life (defunct) Wallpaper Magazine Economist Foreign Affairs Travel & Leisure Smithsonian More […]
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 […]
January 19th, 2011
When you work with clients do you include in a proposal ongoing “marketing support” or is it more projects based? Every company and project is different. Some Requests for Proposal (RFPs) request, and other contracts bind, a firm for ongoing marketing support for as long as 3 years. Some projects […]
January 28th, 2011
“If the writing is honest it cannot be separated from the man who wrote it.” Tennessee Williams The hardest part of crafting an authentic brand narrative is excavating who you really are, what you really do, and why you really matter. It’s easy rattle off a check-list of standard, homogenized, […]
February 2nd, 2011
“Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath Why do some ideas make powerfully indelible impressions and others just don’t seem to stick at all? Chip and Dan Heath have the answer to what makes some ideas “stickier” than most. The official how-to guide on crafting and conveying ideas that […]