Wristbands: Carrying Your Message for Miles (and Years)

When the Livestrong Foundation (formerly known as the Lance Armstrong Foundation) launched the iconic yellow silicone wristband in 2004 as a fundraising initiative, I hoped it would raise some money for a worthy cause. I had no idea that it would catch on across the country — and around the world — as one ofContinue reading “Wristbands: Carrying Your Message for Miles (and Years)”

50 Years of Satisfaction: How You Can Learn From The ‘Stones

On a recent visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, I was reminded how amazing the Rolling Stones are. They’re still rocking 50 years later and are as relevant as ever. While browsing the two-floor 50 Years of Satisfaction exhibit, I started thinking about how successful of a business venture theContinue reading “50 Years of Satisfaction: How You Can Learn From The ‘Stones”

Get Real, Brands: Why Real Is Usually Right

Whether you’re a racing fan or not, you have to love Jeff Gordon and his sponsor, Pepsi MAX, right now. Last year, the duo produced an awesome ‘test drive‘ video, where a disguised Jeff Gordon took an unsuspecting used car salesman on the ride of his life. Only, it was fake. A stunt driver, paidContinue reading “Get Real, Brands: Why Real Is Usually Right”

You Don’t Know Jack About Brandjacking

In the mid-nineties, there was a trivia game called You Don’t Know Jack. As a trivia buff, I loved the game and even had it on CD-ROM (remember those?). OK, I also loved telling people, “You don’t know jack” when they answered incorrectly. Which brings me too… Brandjacking. What is it? When someone hijacks your brand,Continue reading “You Don’t Know Jack About Brandjacking”

Social Media Savvy: It’s Still All About the Brand

One of the more popular posts I wrote last year was about social media branding and its importance to your brand’s reputation, especially if you’re in the marketing, social media, technology or related fields. After reading Dustin W. Stout’s excellent post on the subject, I realized an update was in order. The major social networksContinue reading “Social Media Savvy: It’s Still All About the Brand”

Should Brands Get Political?

Brands are encouraged today to be living, breathing entities with values and to form relationships with customers. Is it any surprise then that some have jumped into politics? I realized recently that this topic has entered the mainstream conversation when an iconic brand wanted to explain to the public why it did NOT want toContinue reading “Should Brands Get Political?”

The Art of Branding

Branding is a buzz word today, so everyone wants to drop it like the name of the hottest new rapper out there. While it’s overused and abused, it’s still an instrumental element to companies and people everywhere. “Good brands are able to set the tone, create the scene, and make us a part of itContinue reading “The Art of Branding”

Why do you want to be a silhouette?

It’s the first thing that makes me second guess following you. If you can’t even add a profile picture—something, anything—I really question the value of your tweets. Of course, there’s debate on what works best as an avatar; but first, you need a profile pic. Period. I realize this is basic knowledge, and one ofContinue reading “Why do you want to be a silhouette?”

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Love, Google

Brands have been creating content, offering special promotions and attaching themselves to seemingly non-related holidays for years. But for Mother’s Day 2013, Google nailed it. Here’s to the Moms The worldwide search giant did what it does best — connected you to the information you need. A special landing page offers: a video celebrating momsContinue reading “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Love, Google”

How Elvis Can Inspire Your Success

If you didn’t notice, Elvis Presley‘s birthday was Tuesday (January 8th). He would have been 78 if he were still alive today. Man, that’s hard to believe. Despite his untimely death, Elvis achieved considerable fame and status as the King of Rock and Roll. How did he get there? God-given talent, a lot of hardContinue reading “How Elvis Can Inspire Your Success”