Is your Brand Human?

A peculiar question, considering most of our brands are inanimate objects.  However, when it comes to promotion, personifying your brand does equate to increased sales, and in terms of the non-profit world - donations.

Take, for example, one of my favorite Brands - Apple.  Now, their products do rock, but you would think that an average consumer would be hard-pressed to drop $500+ on an iPad or iPhone.  However, with the way the Apple retail outlets are laid out, to the utilization of the late Steve Jobs, etc., Apple has been able to create a brand that has a humanistic appeal.

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Zumba - How to build a brand off of Fun!

Everyone has heard of the Zumba experience - how Latin Dance rhythms are combined with cardio to create a fun-filled exercise regimen.  I'm sure you've seen the infomercials, or have gone to a class at your local gym to see what this is really all about.

But what is also interesting is how a re-focus on its branding, and a re-design of its website catapulted this brand to newer heights - and created raving fans

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Instagram - Add another site to the Social Media mix!

So, we went social with MySpace and YouTube, and when that wasn't enough, we went to Facebook.  Shortly thereafter, we Tweeted, and FourSquared, and Yelped our way around the internet stratosphere.  We Pinned things, Google Plused, and LinkedIn to anything we could.  So, what's next you say?

Instagramming!  Yes, a quicker, kinder, gentler way to put your pics up quickly!  So, how does THIS one work for business you ask?  Well, Instagram is mobile - and unless you've been under a rock all these years, mobile IS the IT thing for, well, everybody!

Now more and more businesses are utilizing Instagram as yet another tool in their Social arsental:

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Janelle Nevins - Innovator and Friend

I wanted to share my thoughts on a friend who passed away yesterday, after battling illness for many months.  I know in my heart that she's in a much better place, looking down on us today.

Janelle Nevins was what I call a friendly competitor, and as we roamed the halls at the Coca-Cola Company for many years, I came to respect how she ran her business.  Janelle started part time in this crazy industry of Advertising Specialties working with her husband Art, and as a newcomer to this industry, she did what all new salespeople do - she called on the biggest buyer in town - Coca-Cola.  Her first order was for 50 lighters, which ended up being a long-term client for well over 30 years.

Janelle grew her business into one of the largest distributors in Atlanta, and as a result became one of the most respected women in the Industry.  I remember meeting her for the first time at Coca-Cola, and what struck me most was how open she was to talking to some newbie, and how over the years she would make a point to talk shop with me on a business and personal level.

When I was diagnosed with my kidney illness, Janelle reached out to me with emails, notes, and a get-well package - that alone sticks out as to the person she was - gracious, open, and giving.  We talked on the phone and via email while she was going through her medical journey, and she always maintained a positive attitude.  She also stuck to her business even when she was sick, she truly loved this industry, which speaks to her dedication to success.

I will miss Janelle Nevins, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Art, her children and grandchildren, as well as to all those who were touched by her.  Godspeed Janelle, you will be missed, but I thoroughly believe that Heaven received a good one yesterday.

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Can we survive without the Postal Service?

The US Post Office is in trouble, stating it will miss its next 2 benefit payments that were mandated by Congress.  With this news, the releases of tapering service, and of course the rise of the Internet and email - is the Post Office on the outs?

The US Postal Service is one of the few institutions that is written into the US Constitution, making it's demise a true constitutional crisis.  So, what can the Post Office do?  We all get mail in some way or shape - be it a circular, bills, cards, advertisements, etc.  And the founders set up the Post to essentially be the backbone of commerce.  But as Rand Paul suggests, it's bound to go bankrupt soon, so what's next?  Read the article below for more info...

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Friday Fun - USA Swim Team Video

Congrats to all of the our USA Olympic athletes who have sacrificed much to become Olympians. You may have seen this video already, but it is perfect for a Friday! The US Swim Team video has gone viral, and it truly shows the youthful spirit of our Olympians, and how affective video is as a marketing technique! Have a great weekend everyone, and enjoy!

When Publicity works!

It really is funny how all of those old sayings ring true, especially these days.  When it comes to the saying "there's no such thing as bad publicity", well I can honestly say that it is indeed a truism, especially when the PR is paired with social media.

We all have heard of the controversy created by Dan Cathy's remarks, and how Chick-fil-A has become a media firestorm with all major networks, websites, talk shows, etc blowing up the issue.  I have been a Chick-fil-A fan for years, and yes the company is a client of mine.  But I wanted to look at the after-affects of the remarks, and what it has done for the brand Chick-fil-A recently.

Yesterday was Chick-fil-A appreciation day, and supporters put together fan pages where people could sign up and state that they would come to a restaurant to show support for the company - over 500,000 people signed up!  All across Facebook, Twitter, and the blogosphere, the Chick-fil-A brand was prevalent all day yesterday, with pictures of long lines of raving fans coming out to support the company.  Locations literally sold out of food, with huge lines waiting to get in the door or through the drive-thru.

So, I ask who really is the "winner" in this debate?  It seems to me that the brand received a huge bump in recognition, as it was put all over the map in the past week.  The cash registers were in overdrive yesterday with the outpouring of support in their restaurants, and most importantly, Chick-fil-A could quantify their raving fans numerically with the fan pages, etc.

So, like it or not, the controversy created by publicizing a private company's belief system really shows how powerful the multimedia platforms of today are in creating a raving fan base and, most importantly generating revenue to a brand.

So I say, winner, winner, Chick-fil-A sandwich dinner!