We humans are social creatures. Just look at the rise of social media. We share, we keep in touch and yes we even eavesdrop through Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and a host of other hot social media sites. I’ve embraced social media and believe it is a great way to stay connected and build business, but in addition to, not in place of, face-to-face meetings. In fact, if anything, social media has taught us all just how hungry employees, franchisees, users, and any other constituents you serve are for meaningful connection. That’s great news for your brand if you know how to do more than just share information through face-to-face meetings. Read the rest of this entry »

In case you haven’t figured this out by now. Your logo is not your brand. Your words are. What we see has a huge impact on us, no doubt, but what we say and hear and read does too. I happened to catch a fun article titled 66 Great Movie Taglines From the Past 30 Years. Scanning through it, I couldn’t help thinking, this is total branding. These lines hooked us, made us laugh, got us to wonder and even shocked us into noticing and remembering them. So what is your company’s movie tagline?   Read the rest of this entry »

The social activist video, Kony 2012, went viral almost instantly. After only being online for a couple of weeks, it has over 80 million views. How does one small organization catch the hearts and minds of the world in just hours? With the same concept we use—Heart & Mind® Branding. Invisible Children created this video that touched people’s hearts by showing the cruelty Ugandan children are forced into, and gave tens of millions awareness of and hope that we can end Joseph Kony’s rein.

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Have you seen the Luvs commercial where the little animated babies are having a pooping competition? The cartoon kids walk on stage in their Luvs diapers, turn around and let one go. Their Luv diapers expand accordingly and the other baby judges seated downstage hold up cards: 6, 7, 6. Finally the last kid really puts Luvs to the test and the judges respond with: 10, 10, 10!

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People are talking a lot about it. Everyone wants to do it. But few get it, “What is branding?” It’s the question that has mystified the masses, while at the same time, its elusive answer has shaped and run our lives from the time we are able to see, hear and speak. We are all influenced by brands, yet we can’t quite grasp what makes them powerful or what they really are. Read the rest of this entry »

They continue to battle, but which one will be #1: Coke or Pepsi?  Taste tests prove that many of us cannot even taste the difference between the two brands!  But I will be the first one to ask the waiter/waitress, “Do you serve Coke or Pepsi products?”  Then change my choice of beverage based on the server’s answer.  I am a die-hard Coke fan, Diet Coke to be exact.  The cool bubbles and refreshing taste, the pick me up in the middle of the day…. My mouth will actually water as I pop the top off!

Why do many of us have such a strong preference?  When it comes to soft drinks it truly the taste?  Is it the perceived status of wearing one brand of jeans over another? How about cars, colleges, sports teams? Is the connection the people who also drink, wear, attend or cheer for your brand of choice? Brands somehow affect us at our very core. Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday’s Super Bowl or should we say Brand Bowl gave fans exactly what they wanted: celebrity, drama, winners, losers, laughter, tears, and I’m just talking about the commercials. While others will list the top spots that aired (you can view them here), I must say the top spot went to the biggest brand of the night: Madonna. Read the rest of this entry »

There has been a lot of hype recently about a new character of M&M’s candy being “revealed” during the Super Bowl, Ms. Brown. A lot of time and money is being devoted to television ads, print ads and “teasers” on social media.  Not to mention the $3.5 million being spent for the 30-second commercial.  What will Ms. Brown look like?  Sound like? My question is…why would you invest so much time, money and energy into a little piece of chocolate? Read the rest of this entry »

Legends are hard to come by these days, at least legends of this kind. And despite the controversy, Joe Paterno left his mark on countless millions. How will you remember him?  I am just one, but I choose to remember him this way: Read the rest of this entry »

Ah! The holiday season. It’s a time when we all do a little more for those we love. And all with the best of intention. But sometimes those intentions fall short, not because the giver misses the mark, but because the company the giver trusted, completely blows it. That happened today when we received a gift in the mail. It was one of the best examples of false advertising I’ve ever experienced, and sadly, I’m sure in this industry it happens far too often because it is just not cool to say anything. Read the rest of this entry »