Branding the Cast of Jersey Shore
What started off as a guilty pleasure has now grown in to a cultural phenomenon. Whether its influence on our culture is positive or negative is still to be determined; however, I must admit that MTV and the cast of Jersey Shore have done a pretty damn good job branding not only the show, but …
Getting Away with the CEO Swap
So, Tony Hayward is being replaced as CEO of BP by an American. It’s not surprising to see that the company is doing whatever they can to minimize damage and public outcry. I’ve come to find it interesting that when a company gets itself in to serious trouble, that the “CEO Swap” is viewed as …
Brand Shift: Goldman’s Golden Gun
In May I wrote about branding lessons learned from Goldman Sachs. This company has an illusive communications strategy that is not working very well in 2010 as the ever-evolving “new consumer” is changing the way that companies interact with the public. After a very public legal dispute with the S.E.C. that has taken its toll …
A Lesson in Personal Branding from Apple
To many, Apple is more than just a company – it’s an institution. I’m not a 100% Apple product consumer, but I’ve sipped some of the Kool-Aid. I’ve always admired the company for it’s innovative thinking, and finally took some time to think about some of the elements of the company that make it so …
2020: Personal Brands and Social Media
I think it’s safe by now to say that social media is here to stay. It’s not a fad anymore. In fact, to many in the industry, social media is the gateway to a future of seamless social communications that will (get ready for it) re-humanize the Internet. If you take a look back at …
You Did WHAT at Your Interview?!
I recently heard a story about a complete failure of a job interview. The person had strong experience and a passion for the industry, but once in the door for an interview, it all went down hill. After requesting a tour of the office during the interview, this person made attempts to speak with senior …
3 Lessons for Millennials
I read and hear a lot about the “changing generations” and how the mixture of Web 2.0 and the Millennial market are going to change the way we do business. Many young people these days want to trade the fancy car for a hybrid, the corner office for a group table and the desktop for …
Exploring Your Brand Identity
I’ve been fully engulfed in the world of branding lately through work on one of my accounts. Throughout the branding process I’ve observed a fascinating dynamic between how corporate brands try to be more human while personal brands are trying to be more like businesses. While dissecting the core elements of a brand I was …
Death By Facebook: The BP Story
The same website that fostered a social movement bringing Betty White to Saturday Night Live is now bringing BP to its knees, as an ongoing battle with bad publicity is exemplified through the power of Facebook. The oil spill in the Gulf is being called the worst in American history — bringing frequent association with …
A Lesson In Personal Branding From The Women of SNL
This weekend I watched a TV special about the women of Saturday Night Live that really made me appreciate the cast members for their talent as well as their brand. I learned the stories of great comediennes such as Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, Sarah Silverman and Amy Poehler. These women, of course, are part of …