Brand Consistency: Did the new Apple iOS7 hurt?

Well folks, it's here - love it or not, we'll have to get used to it if we want to keep up with Apple.  iOS 7 is a complete change in brand consistency for Apple - the fonts, color schemes, motion and graphics, etc all have changed - so much so that our phones can be classified as brand new!  Apple has even enlisted its chief designer Jony Ives to describe how these design changes are a good thing - another departure from the Steve Jobs past.

These changes may or may not hurt Apple's brand loyalty - I am a die-hard Apple-ite myself, however, and it's a BIG however, drastic changes to your Brand WILL affect your business.

Consistent branding is not just a buzzword, it is the cornerstone of your overall business strategy.  All of the innovation in social media, advertising, and experiential marketing puts more ammo in our marketing arsenal, however staying true to our branding message is more important than ever.

Check out this infographic that Jessica Brandenburg created to visualize the importance of Brand consistency:

Breast Cancer Awareness: October awareness products!

Breast Cancer is a serious disease that affects 1 in 8 women over the course of their lifetime.  That's not a pretty number for anyone to see, and although the death rates have been decreasing, finding a treatment is no closer to reality.

Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen have done a lot to help raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer, and branded products have been a focal point in raising money.  In that regards, there is an opportunity for brands to show their support for continued research and awareness, plus show that their employees' health is an important issue.

Check out some of the items we have for your Breast Cancer Awareness efforts:

Fundraising: Why not use promo products?

My wife found an interesting site that was leveraging t-shirt sales to help raise money and awareness for seven areas in our world that need help:  Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, Hope for peace, house the homeless, quench the thirsty, teach people well, and save the Earth.

Noble causes, but as is always the case - it takes money to help in these seven areas.  So, Project 7 created a storefront that sells branded t-shirts, mints, bottled water, coffee mugs and iPhone covers to raise funds for select non-profits.

We have found that promo products that have utility - Tervis Tumblers, Nalgene water bottles, T-shirts, and coolers are great items to look at for schools, non-profits and awareness programs.