Somehow I missed this 2014 Fast Company article about how Finland’s most well known icon, a crowned lion brandishing a sword, was co-opted by an extreme right-wing white nationalist group, despite me being both a Fast Company subscriber, and a…
Branding Dry Cleaners
Every time I visit my local dry cleaner, I wonder why they, and most other dry cleaners, don’t seem to do anything proactively to brand and market their business. And then a writer for Fabricare magazine, a publication of the International…
Ford, stop trying to be like GM – instead, be like Ford
Apparently a high ranking automotive industry source has leaked that Ford is considering or possibly even planning to release a Mustang wagon. Yeah, you heard right. Here is what Autoweek quoted the source as saying: “It’s a case of reaching…
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…
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…
The branding genius of Mr. Happy Crack in a seemingly boring industry
With brilliant marketing and a fresh, hip image,this foundation repair business is quickly making a name for itself as an up and coming franchise. People are actively seeking to purchase hats, umbrellas, shirts and other paraphernalia featuring the company’s mascot/logo…
How you know your brand is successful
Apparently, several parents named their kids “ESPN,” though I doubt they’ll be granted rights to the brand logo. This leaves me with two questions: 1. Will any of them name their second child ESPN2? 2. Do you want to name…