Earlier this week while I was perusing Twitter, I noticed a large number of tweets surrounding an unlikely brand, Kia, and being a strong advocate of the brand, I was immediately intrigued. Though I hold it close to my heart and tell anybody who wants to listen how much I love Kia, I also know […]
Continue ReadingProduct Naming Spotlight: The Transition
September 14, 2011
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s a car. Actually, it’s two out of three: a plane that transitions into a road-use vehicle. Hence the name: The Transition. For pilots, simply land at the airport, fold your wings up and drive home. I appreciate the simplicity of the name selected by the manufacturer, […]
Continue ReadingMade in Detroit
March 22, 2011
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. An article in Thursday’s (3/17, 2011) Wall Street Journal by Jeff Bennett, said Chrysler Group filed suit Tuesday to keep a local group from using “Imported from Detroit” on clothing. They want to stop Moda Group LLC from selling T-shirts and other clothing “branded with the words: Imported From Detroit” in their Pure Detroit […]
Continue ReadingA Plethora of Product Placement
July 07, 2010
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Did you know that Rock Hudson’s character in the 1964 movie Man’s Favorite Sport worked at Abercrombie & Fitch? Did you even know that A&F has been around since 1964?! Well, I didn’t and was surprised to research that it was founded in 1892. But I digress. I’m talking about product placement. Or “brand […]
Continue ReadingBrand Survival
April 16, 2010
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. We’ve all heard about the hundreds of Toyota cars that have been recalled due to sticking accelerators and the pedal entrapment issues (or the “big boo boo”). While Toyota has to gone to great measures to fix these issues, an even bigger question remains. Will the Toyota brand survive this tremendous hit and how […]
Continue ReadingGo Forth and Add!
April 09, 2010
As we have learned from the Chevy Nova, it is important to perform an accurate linguistic screen in all markets where you intend to launch your product. As you may have heard, the Nova was not such a big hit with Spanish-speakers. Translated literally, its name means “star” but when spoken it sounds like “no […]
Continue ReadingAnd the Oscar Goes to…
March 08, 2010
Watching the Academy Awards last night, you may have noticed something missing…from the Hyundai commercials. Jeff Bridges, now an Academy Award winner, normally provides the voice behind the commercials; but Hyundai pulled him after he was nominated for the best actor award in Crazy Heart. Stand-ins (or voice-ins) for Jeff Bridges, included Catherine Keener, Kim […]
Continue ReadingDaddy, May I Borrow Some Money to Buy a New Car?
August 13, 2009
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. With so many brands cluttering the marketplace, it can be difficult to stand out. Many marketers have realized that it is much more beneficial to talk to consumers before brand loyalties have formed. It is easier to help form a brand loyalty with a product from scratch rather than try to convert an already […]
Continue ReadingForget the Whales, Save Saturn
June 16, 2009
Do you remember your first car? I’m sure you remember when you first got it—how liberating it felt to hold the keys to your very own car. My first car arrived as a Christmas present from my generous grandparents. It was the perfect car. Shiny, clean, fast, fun. It was a 1996 Saturn, and man, […]
Continue ReadingBranding Social Responsibility
March 30, 2009
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. On the way to work one morning I saw a large white van parked on the side of the highway assisting a stalled, sad car. As I drove by I read on the side of the van in big red letters, “CVS/Samaritan.” Having never heard of this I was eager to investigate what kind […]
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