Eight Step Process to Developing a City Brand
In my last blog post on city branding, I explained why developing a branding strategy for your city is a critical first step in the city-branding process. Based on information from CEOs for Cities' Report "Branding Your City," I suggested gathering information on what your city's business and community leaders think your city's brand is or should be. Once you have compiled and processed these responses, you can dig into the next phase of city-branding - initiating a place branding strategy - which the CEOs for Cities' report breaks down into the following eight-step process. Read on to learn more about the steps and why each one is important for implementing a city brand.
1. Define Clear Objectives...read the rest of this post»
Would you like fries with that?
I was unfortunately reminded recently that some clients treat us as vendors.
“Welcome to Disciple, home of the Big Brand! May I take your order? We have the Collateral Combo on special this week - that includes letterhead, business cards and a tri-fold brochure - or perhaps you would just like one of our LogosToGo?”
Selling Yourself in the "Real World"
This month marks my one year anniversary in the “real world.” At this time last year, I was one of thousands of caps and gowns that celebrated the completion of a college career and was beginning the hunt for my first “real job.” I remember the excitement – well, anxiety is probably a better term – I felt about leaving behind the student lifestyle I had come to know and love for the unknown professional world. I recall the uneasy feeling I had in my stomach when I heard the words “job interview,” and the feeling of uncertainty when asked “what do you REALLY want to do?”...read the rest of this post»
Exxon versus BP: A Battle of Oil Disasters and PR Catastrophes
It has been more than 20 years since the Exxon Valdez struck a reef off the coast of Alaska and began leaking more than 10 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound. I still have trouble buying gas, or even stopping for a Pepsi, at an Exxon Station. To me it is the best example ever of a brand being forever damaged by a single event.
Yet, here we are in the midst of an oil disaster that has the potential to dwarf the Exxon incident, and I had no problem stopping at a BP station this past weekend for a fill-up. Why is that? How can a disaster that is so much closer to the shoreline that I personally enjoy have less of a brand impact on me?...read the rest of this post»
Social Media is Nothing New and Everything New - and It's Not Going Anywhere
If someone tells you to forget everything you know about communication and get into social media, run the other way.
For a business to be successful in social media, strategy is the key. Doesn't that sound like the recipe for success in every other form of marketing? Yes, it's one in the same. Social media should not be treated like an invention, rather an evolution of the way we communicate. ...read the rest of this post»
The Not So Easily Swayed Generation
Tween:
[noun] - A youngster between 10 and 12 years of age, considered too old to be a child and too young to be a teenager*
[adj] - Very easy to market to, will usually follow any fashion trend set for them, will most likely go through a phase of "finding themselves" as they "grow up"**
This week on The Today Show, Matt Lauer interviewed David Vladeck with the Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection. They discussed the power and influence that advertising has on today's tweens. As the definition above mentions, the tween age group is heavily influenced by things they see. Therefore, the FTC has decided to take educating them on advertising and the sometimes hidden meanings behind them into their own hands.
The FTC has partnered with Scholastic to develop a program to teach tweens to look and think about the following things when they see an ad:...read the rest of this post»
Take a Look, It's in a Book: Top Five Reading Recommendations from This Weekend's Tribe Camp
This weekend, I attend Tribe Camp, a great day of learning and networking for Memphis marketers, programmers, educators and social media explorers.
Aside from all of the fantastic presentations, many of which are available through SlideShare, I picked up a few book recommendations from attendees that I thought I’d share. Some are older, and some are just-released, but all are worthwhile reads if you’re into marketing, social media and communicating.
What books would you add to the list?
