Why Preserving The “Face of the Brand” Is So Important: Burt’s Bees and Ben & Jerry’s
The beauty of many entrepreneurial start-ups these days is that their brands can be so refreshingly eccentric and charming. Often they succeed by creating new space in mature categories that no one ever anticipated, and the persona of the founder can make these brands even more distinctive and memorable. Two classic examples are Burt Shavitz for Burt’s Bees, acquired by Clorox in 2007, and Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield for Ben & Jerry’s, purchased by Unilever in 2000. When these were acquired however, there was an immediate fear that the folksy appeal of each brand would be...
Read MoreBranding the “Circular Economy” Model for Millennials
Last week, a friend and former client, Leszek Adamczyk, CEO of an innovative environmental software firm in Poland (ATMOTERM), sent me an enlightening article on how younger people in Europe are becoming more engaged in the “circular economy” model and adding fresh ideas for its growth. This article and additional research revealed three interesting insights that are relevant for all marketers. First, the importance of recognizing key global trends and their potential impact on society and business. Second, how the driving force from Millennials for a more sustainable...
Read MoreEvery 2016 Presidential Candidate Is a Brand, But They Lack Trust and Authenticity
Essentially each Presidential candidate is a brand. They develop a special persona which they hope will emotionally appeal to their target audience, they own a distinct brand name (e.g. Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton), and they make brand promises which they believe are relevant for their constituencies. These are the core principles of good branding. Ultimately a successful brand will want a relationship with its target customer that is based on trust, authenticity and credibility. But why are these foundational attributes so lacking for every Presidential candidate in 2015? The Edelman...
Read MoreWhy Millennials Are Resistant To Advertising And Politics
Much has been written about Millennials, the first “digital generation” (18-35), and their growing influence on business and society. These 86 million younger people are now the most important generation in terms of size and purchasing power – they spend $200 billion annually. They are also the most diverse, with 43% non-white and 25% speaking a foreign language at home. And they will represent 40% of the electorate by 2020, so their potential clout for shaping our future should be enormous. Understanding and adapting to their distinct attitudes and behavior is essential, however. What...
Read MoreWhat Builds Stronger Brand Equity Among Millennials – Advertising Or Engagement?
The concept of brand equity (i.e. the perceived value of a brand) firmly arrived in the 1980’s when consumer goods companies reacted to a surge of cut throat discounting with a new search for a more sustainable way to boost sales and profits. Their answer was to pour money into well-crafted brands, increase pricing, and highlight distinctive product features, all designed to create a more favorable brand image that would lead to greater loyalty. As David Aaker wrote in his book in 1991, “Managing Brand Equity”, aggressive marketing is needed to generate awareness, create a positive...
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