What to do when faced with declining sales.
Sales in the “refreshment beverage” category are falling. The segment includes colas, energy and sports drinks, juices and bottled water. In 2009, for the second year in a row, sales were down. Down 3.1 percent according to a survey by Beverage Marketing Corp. This represents a steeper decline than was 2008. And there was one unusual statistic: (more…)
Palm seems to be on life support.
According to the Bible, the first task given to man by God was to name all the things on earth. And he’s been doing that ever since. And it is very important work. A name represents characteristics and properties that identify a particular thing.
Selecting a name.
Many think coming up with a name for a company or product or service should be simple. Some may even think it’s not even very important, convinced there are “bigger’ issues than naming to deal with when launching a new venture. Those who believe that are hoping (more…)
In today’s marketplace a Brand is one of the very very few sustainable competitive advantages a company can own. Credit Suisse research shows an index of companies spending at least (more…)
If a card with a sappy four-line poem, a cellophane-wrapped dozen roses, a box of not-so-heart-healthy chocolates, a clutch of pink balloons, or a pink oversize teddy bear fail to make you feel romantic, well, we understand. As Alissa Walker, writing in Fast Company says, (more…)
Good thing they announced the “change,” otherwise we would’ve missed it. Of course, a new logo won’t turn around the channel’s image without improved programming. That said, a change in visual identity could
The National Football League in a public display of foolishness sent official cease and desist letters to several small Louisiana T-shirt shop owners ordering them to stop producing and selling t-shirts bearing the phrase “Who dat.” It seems the NFL (more…)
Why is Branding important?
Now we can see the value of a branding investment. If Toyota ever struggled to determine the value of spending money over the years to build a brand in the competitive automotive marketplace, it is suddenly becoming clear. With the revelation that 2.3 million cars must be recalled and tested for a potentially deadly flaw – their sticking accelerator pedal. This in addition to the recent recall of 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus automobiles, the car manufacturer is getting a clear revelation of the precise value of its brand. (more…)
Houston made the short list of cities under consideration for the 2012 Olympic Games but ultimately lost out in the final culling. But then, regarding the 2016 Olympics, Houston didn’t even make the short list. This despite having the best collection of physical assets and excellent leadership. In 2006 I wrote an article for the Houston Business Journal about this Olympic site selection review.
U.S. Olympic Committee Board Chairman Peter Ueberroth said of Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Bob Eckels, “They were spectacular. They were in a class by themselves in terms of administration. They were just so far ahead of any other city, it wasn’t close. … (more…)
Which Brand has the best team?
We’ll soon find out. Meanwhile, which school has the best logo? Well, the University of Texas has a much older logo, designed in 1950. That’s 60 years ago! Few logos have survived that long. The University of Alabama’s was designed in 2002.
Evaluating brand appropriateness.
What do these animals represent? Are they suitable to each school?
The risks and rewards of “Profiling.”
Profiling has become a “dirty word” in America. Probably because of its association with the practice of “racial profiling.” Indeed, in a perfect world people would not be judged by appearances. Of course this is no perfect world but with laws against it and public opinion all across the country firmly opposed to it, do we still see it in operation? Does it provide some unique benefit to those employing it? A benefit that we cannot replace?
The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 forced a debate. And December 2009’s two incidents involving Nigerian Muslims on Delta flights to Detroit have renewed the debate. (more…)
