Posts by Jay Gronlund

How Trumpism Is Re-Positioning “Justice”

Posted by on Jun 18, 2024 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

How Trumpism Is Re-Positioning “Justice”

  The unanimous verdict finding Donald Trump guilty of all 34 counts in the NY criminal case opened the floodgates for vitriolic criticism and vengeful retribution by Conservatives against Democrats and Biden.  More alarming was their outrage over a core pillar of our democracy, the entire judicial system.  Behind this latest controversy was, yet again, politics, including two different strategies for trying to position our judicial system.  This endeavor is best understood through a branding lens. Positioning a brand is essential for shaping an optimal message to attract consumers/voters. ...

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The Democratic Brand Faces Challenges From the Unhappy Youth

Posted by on May 15, 2024 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

The Democratic Brand Faces Challenges From the Unhappy Youth

  The recent Global Happiness Ranking from Gallup stunned many when it reported that America dropped out of the top 20 for the first time, falling from 15th place to 23rd. While the self-reported happiness fell for every age group, the most precipitous drop was the under 30 group, down to a disastrous 62nd.  This disturbing emotional change in the Gen Z segment, which now makes up about a fifth of the U.S. population, presents new challenges for the Democratic Party brand in this election year, especially in light of the spread of misleading social media among those under 30. Finland’s...

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Why Harvard’s Brand Reputation Is In Trouble

Posted by on Apr 16, 2024 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Why Harvard’s Brand Reputation Is In Trouble

There is turmoil at Harvard, long considered the pinnacle of academic excellence. A series of mishaps in the past year has galvanized wide spread criticism and has created a disturbing perception of this historic university.  While the causes are varied and complex, most relate to a classic strategic mistake:  straying away from its core brand value, the ideal of truth, or as emblazoned on Harvard’s seal, “veritas”. Harvard was the first college in America, established in 1636.  Its first commencement had nine graduates, and 134 years later, eight of its alumni were signers of the...

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“I Didn’t Leave – The Re-Branded Republican Party Left Me”

Posted by on Mar 19, 2024 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

“I Didn’t Leave – The Re-Branded Republican Party Left Me”

  American history has never seen such an abrupt brand transformation of a major political party, the Republican Party.  Most of the core principles and values of the Republican brand have been turned upside down by Trump and his MAGA followers in the past eight years.  Around the country, long term Republican loyalists are saying…”I didn’t leave the Party; no, the Party left me”.  This sentiment is common among the 30% of Republicans who voted for Haley in the primaries.  Will these worried tradition minded voters support Trump after all, or just not vote, or even turn to Biden? Analogy: ...

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How MAGA Extremists Try To Rebrand Taylor Swift

Posted by on Feb 19, 2024 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

How MAGA Extremists Try To Rebrand Taylor Swift

 A key ingredient for shaping a brand is the set of values that define the brand personality, which are essential for sustaining a bond with customers. Taylor Swift is today the world’s biggest pop star, not only A because of her musical accomplishments but also due to her values and genuine rapport with such a wide range of different age groups and diverse ethnic and gender factions.  Yet extreme MAGA conservatives are creating false conspiracy stories to warp Swifts wholesome, popular brand image to ultimately advance their own political motives. The MAGA brand essence is different from...

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