Major News Breaks on Twitter

Although this doesn't have specific branding implications, I think it continues to illustrate a trend that affects all aspects of business in one way or another.

A rallying cry to get connected went around the world last week when social media was given credit for being ahead of mainstream media when it comes to breaking news stories.  Think about, millions of people travel everywhere they go with cellphones - the equivalent of cameras and microphones that provide a larger broadcast area than any other single medium.

And that is why the US Airways crash into the Hudson was first reported on Twitter. 

As this article in Silicon Alley Insider reports, the days of the everyman reporter are here.  The power of the people to capture events as they happen has always been there but there wasn't a mechanism for them to broadcast the message.  Now, with Twitter and other social media, the everyman has a power that is even bigger than broadcast television.  A bigger audience.  A global reach.

That is an amazing amount of power.  Have you harnessed it yet for your business?  Are you using it to develop a relationship with the people that need you?

What are you waiting for?

Bank Brands Can Rise Again

Money by H a l t e n h o f

The banking industry took quite a pounding in 2008. If you are looking for a point of differentiation, it seems like just surviving is a symbol of success right now.

If the banks that are still standing want to actually recover, the need to quickly mobilize their brand plans, really define their message, dig deep to determine what makes them the best choice.

Basically, banks need to change the conversation. They have to start defining themselves and stop letting the national media define them.

To effectively change the conversation, banks need to look deep within themselves and see what they find.

What is their Brand Promise? What are they promising the consumer? What is the consumer looking for?

It seems that so many banks are resistant to 'branding' and want to focus completely on 'selling'. Promoting the brand promise of the bank is actually better than ads that 'sell'. It's the difference between attracting transactional vs. relational customers.

Do you want a customer that is gong to shop your rate and hop from bank to bank looking for the very best deal? Or do you want a customer that does business with you regardless of the rate?

Now is the time for banks, at least the good ones, to step forward and proclaim from the mountaintops what it is that makes them great. Don't let another bank, or even worse the media, define who you are.

United States of Logos

Joe Ribaudo has compiled this collection of state logos from all around the country.  

It's an interesting mix.  The diversity, the use of marks on some and straight typeface on others.

Which ones best represent their states?

Branding is about changing the conversation.

Your brand is how someone feels about you.

Looking at this collection of logos, I am instantly drawn to New York.  Even after almost forty years it is still powerful.  Even though it is positioned in one of the worst places on the page, it is the first one I saw.

On the other hand, Oklahoma, what happened?  Seriously.  I am wondering if the state is actually named Native, that is what jumps out first.

There are a few great state logos out there.  There are also a few states in need of a branding agency.

Which ones do you like best - and why? 

Heidi Cody - American Alphabet - Advertising IS Art

Heidi Cody American Alphabet

The Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette opened their new show last week, just in time for the 2nd Saturday Downtown Artwalk. The featured artist is Heidi Cody and she is awesome.

Check out her website at www.heidicody.com. Her perspective on advertising is fantastic.

Although she definitely derides the commercialism and consumerism in our culture, her work conveys a great appreciation for the art that is inherent in all great design.

Logos, ads, signs...even Eskimo pie ads, Heidy Cody can find the art in it.

Can you name each of the logos represented by the alphabet above? Give it a shot in the comments.

If you buy the poster (click here for orders), Heidi Cody will include the key with purchase.

6 Of The Reasons Why I Love Natchez, MS

Mississippi River, Natchez, Miss.  by robert_ntz

I was invited by the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau to speak to a group of business people and stakeholders in Natchez, MS today.

The topic was part of our 'Branding And ...' series. This one is called Branding and Social Media.

Their original plan was to have 30 -40 people attend a two hour overview of the best social media applications for business and how to utilize branding principles within them.

When it was all said and done, the first session was standing room only and required the addition of a second session in the afternoon for a total of over 100 participants. The average age of the attendees was probably 49 or 50 and they got it. Really got it. Their questions were insightful and well thought out. They gladly shared their thoughts and previous experiences.

There was true understanding, after the presentation, of what a brand is, and more importantly what it is not. When the day began, most of them believed that their four year old e-brochure websites were the only choices they had for promotion on the internet. They thought that price was a good way to differentiate themselves. They believed, as so many people still do, that social media is for kids and not where real business people belong.  Now, they speak of their Brand Promise and how to communicate it through their newley formed blog.

When I got home tonight, I even had quite a few new Facebook and Twitter friends. They have asked me to come back for a hands on teaching class as well as more presentations from the 'Branding And..." series.  It is a great town filled with great people.

6 of the reasons why I love Natchez, MS:

1 - The People - their willingness to learn is fantastic and inspiring, Margaret it was a blast hanging out with you, I think I owe you for about 10 glasses of tea.

2 - The River - truly breathtaking, I was able to watch the sunset on its banks with colors that were extraordinary

3 - The History - the city is the keeper of the history of the south in so many ways still intact

4 - Antebellum Homes - I was fortunate to be the guest of Monmouth Plantation which is a gorgeous bed and breakfast situated on property that just begs to be explored

5 - Southern charm - true southern hospitality is rare these days but everyone in Natchez exudes it

6 - They like me - I know that seems silly and maybe a little egotistical but it was a blast to have so many people come up to me after the seminar and ask for more.

7 - Willingness to learn - it's only supposed to be 6 but i have so many more I could add. They really embraced the ideas we discussed today and it was exciting to see them get excited.

I love Natchez and everytime I go, I discover another part of this city that I love even more.

I wonder if I could get them to unofficially adopt me...?

To all of the many great people that I met today, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules so we could get to know each other.  I had a blast and I hope you did too.

Are You Influenced by Promo Items?

As of January 1, 2009, big pharma is making big changes to the way they market.  

Gone are the days when 'drug reps' go door to door visiting doctors' offices and handing out promo items.  Just a few of these items in the past have included; 

Coffee cups, sticky notes, pens, magnets, prescription pads, notepads, stickers, band aids, soap dispensers, tongue depressors, calendars, mouse pads, picture frames, key chains, koozies, t-shirts, bags, buttons, cell phone covers, computer bags, laser pointers, exam table paper, candy, mugs, tape measurer, posters, anatomical examples, magazines, books, articles and more

According to the New York Times, Allergan, Merck, and Sepracor are the first companies to voluntarily change their practices and joined the pledge to ban the distribution of promotional items.

The school of thought is that doctors are unduly influenced by seeing this barrage of logos at every turn throughout their day.   Most doctors say that they are in no way influenced by these items.  

But that doesn't take into account the other forms, and much larger percentage, of marketing that the drug companies utilize.  

Consider the 'educational dinners'.  These fall into two categories, the social/semi-work dinners hosted by the drug companies that usually include spouses at a very high end restaurant and provide an opportunity for networking while the rep gives a speech to promote their latest products and its many vast benefits.

But, there are some dinners that are truly educational.  These dinners are usually for doctors only, no spouses, provide information that is presented in an unbiased manner and most importantly qualifies for CME credits.  These dinners may be 'sponsored' or attended by a representative from a pharmaceutical company but the information is presented by another doctor in an educational and unbiased way.

For an industry that has to have such high standards with regards to the medicine they dispense, I would like to think that my doctor is smart enough to not be swayed by a pen and coffee mug.  

What do you think?  Do promo items give one drug an advantage over another?  If one rep is nicer than another, will that influence, even subconciously, a doctor's decision on what to prescribe?

Focus on Your Brand

Focus by D50@manchesteruk

Focus is the first, and probably most important, step to establishing your brand. You really have to cut through the clutter of features and benefits to find the one best unique property. The "IT" factor.

Just to clear up any Marketing 101 misconceptions in this conversation, your focus can't be just about price (unless you are sure that you can always be the low price leader). Because then you are just a commodity. Because then you will rise and fall based on price and the conversation will never be about value - just price.

Also your focus can't be your people. EVERYONE promises that they have great people. Even if you are a service business and not selling a product, it really still can't be about people. What if they quit - then what?

Your focus has to be about the "mental real estate" that you and you alone can own. Often it is an operational advantage, especially if you are in a service industry.

What can you focus on? How are you better than your competition?

If you think you know the answer to the question, then proceed with asking your co-workers. See if you are all on the same page.