Posts by Jay Gronlund

What To Expect From Generation Z – Implications For Branding

Posted by on Feb 17, 2019 in Blog | Comments Off on What To Expect From Generation Z – Implications For Branding

What To Expect From Generation Z – Implications For Branding

We have heard a lot about Millennials (i.e., Generation Y), their impact on business, politics and society, and how different their values and practices are. Well, get ready for Generation Z. Their attitudes and actions are even more progressive and even more confounding to marketers. This Generation Z (born after 1996) is the best educated, most diverse and easily most open to emerging social trends of any prior generation. And their potential impact on commercial and political brands will be transformative. All brands should be strategically positioned to not only appeal to their current...

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How Zuckerberg Has Undermined Trust In The Facebook Brand

Posted by on Jan 17, 2019 in Blog | Comments Off on How Zuckerberg Has Undermined Trust In The Facebook Brand

How Zuckerberg Has Undermined Trust In The Facebook Brand

In 2018 Mark Zuckerberg showed the world how a steady stream of blunders and insensitivity to consumers’ concerns over privacy and fake news has tragically damaged trust in the Facebook brand.  The Facebook founder and CEO essentially traded a core value, privacy, for profits.  His performance last year provides a classic case study for all companies on how to manage brand risk, or at least what not to do. Facebook’s new mission statement says it seeks “to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together”.   A brand is basically a promise designed to create a...

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Three Trends That Spell New Opportunities To Re-Brand Cities

Posted by on Dec 19, 2018 in Blog | Comments Off on Three Trends That Spell New Opportunities To Re-Brand Cities

Three Trends That Spell New Opportunities To Re-Brand Cities

  The internet has been a catalyst for so many changes in our values, economics, lifestyles and even geographic living preferences.  Millennials, the first true internet generation, have initiated many of these changes.  Their digital competency and social impact have fueled three key trends that can lead to new branding opportunities for progressive cities around the world that are eager to adapt new innovations: Millennials’ Preference for Urban Living – their passion for experiencing new events, their keen interest in entrepreneurial businesses, and their relentless search for better...

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Why Millennials Value Experiences, Not Stuff

Posted by on Nov 20, 2018 in Blog | Comments Off on Why Millennials Value Experiences, Not Stuff

Why Millennials Value Experiences, Not Stuff

There is no question that Millennials or Generation Y consumers (born between 1980 and 2000) are an unusual breed, with very different values, buying habits and attitudes that confound older generations.   However, the most noteworthy trend is their decreased desire to own things or buy them through traditional channels.  Instead Millennials are obsessed with having a memorable experience, which will have a reverberating impact on positioning brands in the future.  They are just not buying stuff like other generations. The obvious winners of this significant trend are industries like events,...

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The Growing Risks to Brand Reputation Could Become a “Game-Changer”

Posted by on Oct 26, 2018 in Blog | Comments Off on The Growing Risks to Brand Reputation Could Become a “Game-Changer”

The Growing Risks to Brand Reputation Could Become a “Game-Changer”

We are seeing it everywhere today – social activism and the misconduct of celebrities, CEO’s or politicians which provoke both shock and anger among their constituents.  It could be sexual harassment, outlandish and incredible accusations, or any kind of behavior that is unexpected and inconsistent with their personal brand image.   We have witnessed this with Weinstein, Elon Musk from Tesla and several congress people recently.  In every case, their misconduct has negatively impacted their personal brand reputation and even their associated organization. The growing risk from a tarnished...

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