Defensive Strategy

Healthcare Reform: Where are the Benefits?

12 Oct 2009  

There is broad agreement in the United States that healthcare reform is good concept.  Indeed, it is very hard to oppose it.  It is also hard to oppose the environment, human rights and world peace. But there is very little agreement about the plans being considered.  From a marketing perspective, I think there are two obvious […]

Defensive Strategy

Cash for Clunkers: No Way to Build a Strong Business

7 Oct 2009  

Anyone who has run a business knows two things about short term discounts.  First, big discounts feel great.  Nothing buoys the spirits like a quick and dramatic jump in sales. Second, this happy feeling rarely lasts.  Once the discount ends sales inevitably slump, often for a prolonged period of time.  The only way to get […]

Brands in the News

The Starbucks Via Challenge

5 Oct 2009  

Let me start with a confession: I failed the Via challenge. This morning I stopped by my local Starbucks.  I tried Via and then I tried the brewed coffee.  And I couldn’t tell the difference.  I was completely stumped. I find this rather astonishing.  I am quite a coffee fan and I drink a lot of […]

Brands in the News

Chicago’s Olympic Marketing Miss

2 Oct 2009  

There will be a lot of second guessing here in Chicago now that the city’s Olympic bid has failed.  People will probably point to a weak final presentation, an over-reliance on celebrities and the geographic composition of the IOC.  These are all fair points. One issue that certainly played a role was the lack of […]

Brands in the News

Sad News from Saturn

1 Oct 2009  

This afternoon the Penske Automotive Group announced that its bid to acquire the Saturn brand had fallen through.  As a result, General Motors will be discontinuing the brand. This is sad news.  At one time Saturn was a wonderful brand.  General Motors created Saturn in 1990 in a bold effort to compete with the imports.  Saturn was […]

Defensive Strategy

Southwest’s Gamble

29 Sep 2009  

Southwest Airlines has once again taken a different path in the airline industry. While virtually every major carrier is now charging people to check bags, Southwest continues to offer free baggage checking.  And Southwest is now promoting this fact with some bold, in your face advertising. The spot currently running features Southwest baggage handlers discussing baggage […]

Brands in the News

Apple Advertising Rolls On

24 Sep 2009  

Never underestimate the power of a simple, compelling idea. More than three years ago Apple rolled out a series of ads featuring the Apple and PC characters.  The initial spots were terrific.  They grabbed your attention and communicated a benefit.  Perhaps more importantly, there was no confusion about who the ads were for: Apple. Since […]

Brands in the News

Branding Tuna

22 Sep 2009  

The New York Times on September 21 featured an interesting article about branding tuna in Japan.  It is a wonderful example of the power of branding. Sashimi is big business is Japan, with tuna attracting much of the attention.  And the finest Pacific bluefin tuna in Japan supposedly comes from a small town called Oma. […]

Defensive Strategy

The World’s Most Valuable Brands

21 Sep 2009  

The new brand rankings are out!  This is big news for people interested in brands and branding, but the rankings should be taken with a very healthy dose of salt. Every year Business Week publishes a list of the world’s most valuable brands.  The list is developed in conjunction with Interbrand, a large global branding […]