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The Archives
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03.26.08What Schwag Has the Best ROI?
Brands and Marketing CommentsAll startups seem to feel an obligatory pressure to produce schwag: T-shirts, stickers, pens, etc. My question is what schwag has the best ROI and why?
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03.24.08The Resurrection of Starbucks
Brands and Marketing CommentsIt’s been a while since I wrote about brand reputation optimization, a term I coined last year. However, Starbucks has recently been facing a storm of controversy and I believe how it is handling the adversity is well worth paying attention to. Not too long ago as I sat in a Starbucks already annoyed at having to pay $9.95 for wifi, a barista awkwardly approached me – clearly something was up. “Sir, all Starbucks will be closing early tonight. We are having a major training session among all locations worldwide.” The events of that ‘training session’ have been chronicled on many blogs. While ...
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03.20.08Stupid Rich Kids Who Aren’t So Stupid. Personal Branding 101
Brands and Marketing CommentsMy sisters used to be big fans of the reality TV shows, Laguana Beach and The Hills: translation, I have seen many an episode myself. If you’ve seen The Hills, you know the names Brody and Spencer. You also most likely think that they are the quintessential womanizing schmucks. A couple of faux rich kids who probably have difficulty calculating the tip on the $300 a plate LA dinner they charge to the parents’ Amex. But, you’re wrong -- at least in part. At SXSW I stood in for a bit on the Personal Branding session and honestly was not ...
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01.30.08Does Vampire Weekend Use Macs?
Brands and Marketing Comments[Click for full image] After seeing Vampire Weekend debut their album at the Virgin Mega Store last night, two friends and I ended up having a long conversation lasting into the wee hours. We were discussing the role that innovation plays in society, and specifically whether or not the value that innovation plays on our global economy is less than it was 100, or 300 years ago. Our talk reminded me of a few articles I’ve come across recently dealing with brands, influence and social networks First, Mindset Media recently performed a psychographic a study of Apple users, determining ...
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12.24.07Identity Through Brands
Brands and Marketing CommentsMore articles discussing the role brands and consumer products play in self-identity and personal branding... In The Only Sweater a Mom and Analyst Could Love, author Matthew Weiner describes the ‘between the lines’ nature of gift giving, “…the reality is that getting a gift is like being set up on a blind date. Like it or not, your friend or family member is sending you a message telling you in a coded way what they think you want, what you deserve and, on some level, who they think you are.” Weiner then unfolds a wonderful story, culminating in his ...
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08.29.07What a Dumb Campaign! Sprint’s ‘Expensive’ Island/Phone Combo
Brands and Marketing CommentsThings just aren't going well for Sprint mobile these days; not that that’s unusual. Arrington recently ripped them apart, and why not, the service is horrible (love Michael's title, "Sprint Sucks and Their New Website is Stupid." Still, I was surprised today when flipping through the Wall Street Journal to encounter a full page Sprint Ad titled "The First $10.5M Cell Phone." Apparently, when you buy the 8830 crackberry, you also get a private island. Unfortunately the contest is only open to the world's 100 wealthiest people, which means that Riley Bechtel, Stephen D. Bechtel Jr and Ronald S. Lauder ...
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08.14.07Social Media Can Be Confusing
Social Media CommentsPretty amazing statistic by way of Jeremiah: "Over 90% of marketing departments are planning to launch a social media campaign in 2008, despite the fact that over a third are yet to use social tools in their organization." Not only are most marketing departments not using social media tools but also most businesses are still regulating (limiting) social tool use among employees. Seems that there are various degrees, or 'hierarchies,' of social media within the enterprise. Examples: Using Facebook isn't okay, but using LinkedIn might be. Internal blogs are good, but blogging publicly about work is not good. Use of ...
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08.04.07My First Blendtec Sighting!
Brands and Marketing CommentsToday was pretty exciting! I was at a local coffee shop on U-Street when I happened upon my first Blendtec blender. Normally I wouldn’t have a care in the world about blenders, but Blendtec has done such an amazing job of marketing itself that I stood staring in awe for a solid 30 seconds. Blendtec sponsors the incredibly funny and incredibly viral video series, "Will It Blend?" I've embedded a classic below: [youtube]Yx4QgK_xEfE[/youtube] Today is also someone's lucky day. Be the first person to leave a comment on your favorite Blendtec episode and I will send you an invitation to GrandCentral, now in ...
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08.01.07Cisco: My Partner in Meltdown Avoidance
Brands and Marketing CommentsCisco has a cool new viral campaign out called Don't Have a Meltdown. Originally, I came across the website not knowing it was associated with Cisco (Cisco branding doesn't kick-in until after some navigating) and thought it was funny and clever. ’Saxophonia’ was my favorite ’“ ’the prolonged exposure to smooth jazz as you wait for others to join a conference call.' While I like the website and concept the campaign is built around, I think Cisco has really dropped the ball. This campaign screams of UGC opportunities. As an individual, as soon as I saw the Cisco solution, I ...
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06.12.07Obnoxious Free Marketing that Works!
My Experiences, Pop Culture CommentsSo this past week I was traveling all over the east coast for various events. I had a couple flights which lead me to make some observations on effective marketing in airports. First, while waiting to board a flight you have a zillion people waiting in a small area. Several times while waiting to board I was forced to listen to some guy on his cell phone having a conversation for all to hear. Well, what if you were to loudly have a ’fake conversation’ promoting your product? It’s a quick way to get 100+ to hear about you, and ...
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