Remember PF Flyers?  Patented in 1933, Posture Foundation insole technology set a new standard in sneaker comfort.  In 1937, BF Goodrich produced the first “PF Flyer.”  These shoes changed the way we viewed sneakers for “work, relaxation and play!”  They were icons of the 1950′s.  They spearheaded the athlete/sneaker collaboration model we’re so used to today in 1958 with Boston Celtic’s superstar Bob Cousy.  In the 1960′s, women could buy apparel made to specifically match their PF’s, and it was the standard shoe in the army.  Children of the 60′s might remember the slogan, “PF Flyers help your run faster and jump higher!”  They managed to make every kid want a pair or be deemed a “weirdo.”

The brand lost its way in the 1970′s.  It was purchased by Converse in 1972, but later had to be sold off when the US government filed an antitrust suit claiming that if both companies combined they would have a monopoly for sneakers.  Soon, instead of every kid needing a pair of PF Flyers, they needed a pair of Converse All-Stars.  PF Flyers continued their downward slope until New Balance bought the rights to the brand in 2001 (which had been dormant since 1992) and resurrected it in 2003.  Regardless of their roller coaster ride, movies like “The Sandlot” have given PF Flyers a permanent place in our modern culture.

PF Flyers are well on their way to making a comeback.  They went back to the heart of their company and recently did an Archival Reissue re-launch of the most popular styles from the 50′s and 60′s. You can find PF Flyers anywhere from Zappos to Neiman Marcus. Will PF Flyers ever have the status they did in the 50′s and 60′s? Stay tuned…

Check out vintage PF Flyer commercials!

What is branding? Heart & Mind® Branding.

Succeeding with social media is simple, right?  Anyone can create a Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn page and make instant strides in sales and marketing.  (Cue laugh track…laugh track, go!)  Yes, people actually believe this, and while it would be great if it was true, success with social media just isn’t that simple.  It takes a lot more strategy, creativity and old-fashioned marketing smarts to make it work.  Use it incorrectly, and you can do more damage than good.  Save yourself from creating your own social nightmare by avoiding these business-busting blunders.  You’ll be glad you did. (more…)

Facebook is a powerful personal branding tool.  Your posts say a lot about you.  Are you saying the right thing?  The key to all virtual communication is to do everything in moderation.   Every detail is not important to share.  Every photo documenting your life does not need to be posted.  Keep reading to see if you fall in one of these categories. (more…)

Randy, Ellen, Kara, Simon.  Every week millions of TV viewers across America welcome them into their homes for the most popular music show on the tube: American Idol.  But is it really a music show, or is a branding show? Think about it.  Marketers and business owners can learn a lot from the music world, a place where great brands crank out products that make a bundle.  If you sing it they will come?  Not really, unless you’re a brand. (more…)

Okay, so Kindle has a snazzy commercial series complete with stop-action video that makes you keep watching.  Watching, that is, if you happen to be paying attention to commercials, and who does that anymore?  The spots have music that forces you to glance up from playing Ragdoll Blaster on your iPhone just long enough, to see if The Gap or Target has a new commercial on the air.  But no…it’s Kindle.  The spots are a big step up from their earlier tries which were amateurish and lacked a cool factor, but that’s about it. (more…)