Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, is rumored to be interested in purchasing the Boston Globe newspaper from the New York Times Co. Here is what the AP reported as the New York Times Co.’s position: “The Times Co. has…
How does your brand look, feel, and smell?
I was at the mall today with my wife and 8-month-old, shopping for some clothes for the little one now that the weather is cooling off. I had a Macy’s gift card and remembered that I needed some new cologne…
Grocery stores missing huge opportunity for stronger customer relationships
Every time I visit the local Kroger grocery store, I swipe a card that looks like this to save a few pennies on various items in the store. In return, the store has a record of everything I purchase every time…
The power of headlines and slogans
I was driving down the road the other day when I saw a sign outside an auto shop that read: “We fix $99 brake jobs.” I admit that when it comes to car service, I am nauseous whenever I…
Impetus, advocate, derelict, brevity – might as well be foreign words to graduates
An opinion editorial titled “Verbally Challenged – Potholes in college students’ minds” in Sunday’s Houston Chronicle highlights some frightening realities about the ability of today’s university students to recognize common words and construct simple sentences. The article’s author, a journalism…
Turbulent times for advertising – barf bags now feature ads
According to a recent USA Today article, US Airways plans to open up advertising opportunities on its air-sickness bags. I realize airlines are trying to squeeze every penny they can in this new age of thinner margins and increasing competition.…
Speaking metaphorically … works
The greatest thing by far is to be a master of metaphor. It is the one thing that cannot be learned from others; it is also a sign of genius, since a good metaphor implies an eye for resemblance. –…
Don’t end sentences with a preposition? Bloody nonsense.
Today’s New York Times includes an op-ed titled “An American Foreign Policy That Both Realists and Idealists Should Fall in Love With.” My third grade teacher would have made the writer sit in the corner and wear the dunce cap (yes,…
Holes in the Dunkin’ Donuts brand expansion strategy?
Dunkin’ Donuts is in the midst of a major brand revival effort, including new franchise interior colors, food and in-store experience offerings and a large expansion of their footprint across the country. The company is planning to add 10,000 new…
Mr. Happy Crack – better brand machine than even I gave it credit for
In an earlier blog column, I wrote about a seemingly boring franchise concept – a foundation repair business (I know, YAWN, right?) – that was turned on its head through simple, focused and buzzworthy branding. Well, after I sang the…