August 11th, 2009
Brands communicate attributes that in and of themselves aren’t really unique or all that different…after all…What’s so unusual about having values or a training program? The differentiation is in the combination of characteristics, the ‘believability’ of the promotions and the sense that can be made of a story that relates […]
August 27th, 2009
Admit it…. you thought developing a strategic brand was crafting a mission statement, a logo and a tag line. 50 years ago that may have been all that was necessary. Today it is a complex task that touches and should be touched by all parts of your company. When we work with an […]
October 14th, 2009
Professional associations are a critical component in the US business ecology. The ASAE Center for Association Leadership reports that: There are 147,000 incorporated associations in the US 1,000 new associations are being formed each year 9 out of 10 US adults belong to one association 1 out 4 US adults […]
January 12th, 2010
Brand is more than just “looking good”. An authentic brand requires doing good. Just putting a pink ribbon on your product doesn’t make you socially responsible. “Certified Organic,” “Carbon Neutral,” and “No Trans Fats” claims on your packaging won’t achieve it either. A brand isn’t socially responsible unless they are […]
March 17th, 2010
The philosophy and relevance behind brand development has proven to have utility across a wide and diverse range of interests. Brands distinguish organizations, churches, teams, industries, destinations, associations, events, museums, causes, institutions, politics, clusters, professions, movements, buildings, and the arts, one from another, when services offered don’t. It should come […]
April 19th, 2010
All children’s brands should be guided by an internalized dictum to “first, do no harm” that aligns organizational purpose, business strategy, brand management, and the optimal development of children. This sworn commitment requires a guiding philosophy that holds collective ability and judgment accountable, demands respect for scientific discovery, and vows […]
April 28th, 2010
I can’t tell if what I am seeing is a gross over simplification or just a lackluster attempt to ‘spin’ a brand, get on with the show or turn a buck. What I do know is that the inherent power of brand to tell a vibrant story, capture the essence of […]
April 28th, 2010
View the 2010 Threats to Girlhood Report Threats to Girlhood include all of the issues, mindsets, factors, trends, and circumstances that impact girls’ lifelong health, wellness, happiness, and ability to succeed. Identifying current Threats to Girlhood is an important step towards advancing the well being of girls, the possibilities for women, […]
June 23rd, 2010
Make art- not advertising. Whether it’s a two page spread in a print publication or a vertical banner on a website, at BlackDog, we believe if the ad you’re placing isn’t as interesting, attractive, and useful to readers as the content it’s sandwiched between, you’ve missed the Big Idea. Promotions that are […]
July 9th, 2010
The secret to brand relevance isn’t a Cracker Jack prize, Twitter account, or Facebook Fan page. If you don’t have anything to say, you’re not worth listening to. Social Media is a valuable tool when it’s used as a relevant and meaningful contribution; when your company’s web chatter is driven […]