helpful tips for creative professionals and business owners
Welcome to the Oddblog, a place for optimistic, independent and creative thought leaders. Think, talk, vent and exchange about what's important. We rap on marketing, buyer loyalty, selling, biz development, branding, new media, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurism.
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March 26, 2008
Hey, did you hear that Wal-Mart is trying to murder some brain-damaged woman?
Seriously though, Wal-Mart won a suit to recoup health care payments it made to a woman who was hit by a truck. As she settled with the truck’s insurance company, Wal-Mart requested, and was rightly awarded the payments it had made to her. […]
March 21, 2008
When a classic brand crashes into modern sensibilities and changed outlooks should the brand change? Clearly, Darkie/Darlie toothpaste had to go. But what about the Levi’s whips?
Ahlin shows us what a more humane Levi’s logo would look like.
March 7, 2008
Has anyone seen the recent Cheetos Orange Underground campaign?
At first I though that the Orange Underground might be this election cycle’s secret Florida plan to, again, f@&% everything up for everyone. Apparently, it is not. (But surely that Florida plan exists.) Instead it is some kind of Cheeto-based movement to commit “random acts of Cheetos.” […]
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March 4, 2008
by Karen Post aka the Branding Diva
“Can’t get that brand out of my head…” Have you heard that song? We all have. Well, maybe not that exact melody, but some memorable sound effect, cool tune, or catchy jingle. And I’ll bet there was a direct connection to some brand experience.
Martin Lindstrom discusses that very idea […]
• Set your objectives up front. Are you building on an existing story or communicating a change? Are you trying to sell an image or lifestyle? Are you just trying to get some attention for the brand?
• Honor others’ copyrights and protect what you create. Borrowing sound and music elements that are not copyright free […]
February 26, 2008
by Karen Post aka the Branding Diva
Cutting through the clutter of sameness gets tougher every day. Message overload and disruptive and many times useless data are all trying to find a little space in the overstimulated, simpleminded brains of our market.
It’s not only a busy place, but the reality is there are a handful of […]
February 25, 2008
In a prediction for 2007, trend and inspiration organization PSFK stated on its site: “…consumers will react by engaging in brand abstinence…” consumers will ask questions like, “Why should I replace my phone so often? What will happen to my old one? Why upgrade my PC? Do I really need a faster machine made of […]
February 19, 2008
by Karen Post aka the Branding Diva
Communities, cities, and even states all compete in the world of everything: commerce, tax bases, cultural riches, hometown intellects, the creative class, and happy folks using it all. It’s the fuel to keep geographic areas going and growing.
It also brews healthy combat zones, the seduction of buyers to destinations. […]
February 5, 2008
by Karen Post aka the Branding Diva
I was at the Midway Airport in Chicago last week, waiting for a flight out. A young guy approaches me and asks, “Are you the Branding Diva?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Wow, that’s so cool. I have your book and read your column in Fast Company.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“I’ve […]
January 29, 2008
by Karen Post aka the Branding Diva
The goal of a brand is to connect to the market with emotion and relevance. Make it an engaging, enjoyable experience; have a premise, point, obstacle/solution; and be memorable. Applying storytelling principles to a brand strategy simply makes the journey more efficient and effective.
There is no universal formula to […]
