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I was right in the middle of writing a blog entry on how the well-documented trust problems of the Facebook brand have left a gaping strategic hole that could have allowed Google+ to topple the social media giant. But then Google+ messed up brand trust in a big way. They no longer can claim trustworthiness …
Will the News of the World fiasco hurt the News Corp brand? I doubt it, for the same reasons that brands like Martha Stewart and Michael Vick have bounced back. While the hacking has slowed down the business side of News Corp., most notably in its bid for BSkyB, and criminal charges for top execs …
News Corp. Brand Will Survive News of the World’s Demise Read More »
Advertising Age reports the launch today of Consumr, a new social media ratings site. It’s meant to be Yelp-meets-Foursquare to rate consumer packaged goods like Cheerios and Tide. This is a service without a need. Consumr is working with publisher Rodale to import Yelp-style product reviews for some 50,000 products you can find on grocery …
If copying is the highest form of flattery, businesses in China truly love American brands and American advertising–but counterfeit brands from China are causing serious problems for the reputation of “Made in China,” with long term financial impact. Sometimes the counterfeit brands are funny, like this Chinese take on KFC: Sometimes counterfeit brands are so …
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) has voted to allow an unlimited number of new branded top level domain names. That means companies won’t be limited to just .com, but can go for.mcdonalds and .starbucks. On the face of it, the decision looks good for brands. But think again. The result could just …
Branded Top Level Domain Names: Help or Hindrance? Read More »
Last week, I had the pleasure of talking to Christopher Ibsen, Chief Marketing Officer of the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain. I was on the receiving end of his charming rebuttal of my comment about Pig Swig (Piggly Wiggly’s private label beer) being one of the growing ranks cheap beers fighting to be the lowest price …
Land Rover of Larchmont and Land Rover of Mt. Kisco teamed to bring the Land Rover Brand Experience home to their local customers. With the help of Overland Experts, trainers of expedition drivers, off-road racers, and Special Forces teams, the dealerships built a special off road course in upper Westchester County, New York and invited …
The Land Rover Brand Experience Off Road and Online Read More »
Are the SEALs the best? They sure have the best brand–especially after the bin Laden raid. Disney is just the latest company to try to trademark a SEAL brand, reserving “SEAL Team 6,” for entertainment uses, toys (including snow globes!) and clothing. The other Tier One counter-terrorism unit, Delta Force, has not attained the same …
Disney Trademarks SEAL Team 6, But Not DEVGRU or Delta Force Read More »
Osama bin Laden may be dead, but the bin Laden brand is not. USA Today is reporting the Osama bin Laden brand is suddenly doing a booming business. From bumper stickers and ties to coffee mugs and t-shirts (you can even outfit your dog), the merchandising of bin Laden has begun. Celebrity branding is a …
The BMW X Drive Team rolled into Mt. Kisco BMW last week to give drivers a chance experience the BMW intelligent 4×4 system. With demos and test drives, BMW was able to bring the experience of the brand to potential BMW drivers at the local and personal level. The dealership was able to extend the …
BMW X Drive Team Brings the Brand Experience to the Dealer Level Read More »