Can You Tweet Your Brand Positioning?
At a fund raiser yesterday, President Obama disparaged his opposition by saying: ” “you can pretty much put their campaign on, on a tweet and have some characters to spare.” Obama’s comment shows how...
View ArticleAIG is AIG Again
AIG is returning to its old name, finally correcting a an ill-considered and ineffective name change. Here’s what we said back in 2009: “AIG is trying to outrun its old reputation by adopting a new...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Is the Nokia Brand Dead?
Nokia’s brand problem is outlined in an insightful article today on Bloomberg. The Nokia brand has been so thoroughly buried by competitors that stores no longer mention it, much less carry the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
BBC News Interviews Merriam Associates About Google Doodles
Several months ago, we wrote about the unique way Google uses its logo on its website. Most brands consider their logos to be sacrosanct and unchangeable. Google changes and plays with its logo all the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Samsung vs. Apple: Hip to Be Square with Round Corners?
The ruling that Samsung stole technology from Apple could devastate the Samsung brand–but it may prove just as destructive to the Apple brand. Already media wags have been calling the Android phone...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Even After Vintage Clinton Repositioning Attempt, Democrats Still Have a Problem
The article I wrote for Forbes earlier this summer, “The Democrats Have A Big Branding Problem, As Does Obama,” talked about how Obama is “more defined by what he is not.” Bill Clinton’s speech last...
View ArticleClik here to view.
eBay Removes Personality from Its Brand
eBay unveiled its new brand logo today–Now! Personality-Free! Edit Gone is the quirky all-over-the-place lettering and eccentric typeface. In its place you have a bland, flatness that conforms to the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Al Qaeda’s Brand Architecture Problem and Taliban as Media Bias Victim
Al Qaeda is making headlines again. We had covered the death of the Al Qaeda brand for Forbes over a year ago. As the presidential candidates argue about what happened in Libya, Stratfor, an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tebowing: Not a Trademarked Prayer Pose
Jets player Tim Tebow has filed trademark applications in some seven categories for the term “Tebowing.” The blogosphere has erupted in complaints that the football player is trying to trademark...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Lance Armstrong’s Profitable Non-Profit Livestrong Brand
When a brand’s strength is tied to a real person–when it is a celebrity brand–its fortunes rise and fall with that person’s reputation and behaviors (see Osama bin Laden, Michael Vick, Tiger Woods). In...
View ArticleClik here to view.
KFC in China Faces More Than a Branding Problem
Chinese companies made headlines a few years back with lead tainted toys and pet food that sickened cats and dogs. Now a US company is coming under fire in China. KFC is alleged to use excessive growth...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Twinkies–REALLY Worth $410 Million?
Buyer of distressed brands Apollo Management Group has cheered the hearts of Twinkie lovers everywhere with its$410 million purchase of the snack food favorite. Big relaunch plans have been made...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Download a Chapter One from Philip Kotler and Milton Kotler’s New Book
I am honored to have helped marketing guru Philip Kotler and international marketing expert Milton Kotler set up their new Web site: www.KotlerOnGrowth.com. The Web site offers their topical and timely...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Louisville Slugger Hits It Out of the Ballpark with Its New Logo
Louisville Slugger unveiled its new logo this week and it is a home run. So often, when companies have adopted a new logo, they have stripped their visual identity of all personality in favor of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Merriam’s Guide to Naming Second Edition Now Available
I am pleased to announce the second edition of my book Merriam’s Guide to Naming is now available. In the half dozen years since the first edition, I’ve led over a hundred company and product naming...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Web Site Writing with an Eye to SEO
Congratulations to my client, the Association of Consultants to Nonprofits on their new Web site. It’s always a pleasure to work with Chicagoans, especially those who appreciate good writing and good...
View ArticleClik here to view.
CBS Moneywatch: Merriam Interview in Time for Mother’s Day
As a mother and entrepreneur, getting the balance right isn’t always easy. This article talks about working from home trying to focus and balancing home and kids. While I don’t get to work from home...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Political Cause Skitches on the Monsanto Brand
Opponents of genetically modified foods are successfully skitching on the Monsanto brand. As a kid growing up in Chicago, I used to grab the fenders of passing cars for an exhilaratingly fast slide on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Best and Worst Named Zombie Movies
In celebration of the release of World War Z, here is a run down of the best and worst named zombie movies: Best 1. Night of the Living Dead Not only the best zombie movie, but the best named zombie...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Volt Beats Edsel as World-Class Failure
GM’s Volt is the new Edsel, selling far few cars than that famous bomb did in the 1950′s and 1960′s. In fact, compared to the Volt, the Edsel was a blockbuster. 116,000 sold in three years 55,000 sold...
View Article