Author Archive
A Review of new brand names in 2011
Here are a few contenders for best or worst name of 2011, although there can never really be a truly bad name – just names that get you noticed, those new ideas we all dislike at first, but which grow on us eventually…
In: Brand communications, Corporate Identity, Digital, Food and Drink, Naming, New launches, Ooh that's nice, Product design, Retail, Technology, Viewpoints · Tags: Amazon, Avios, Bacardi, Beckhams, Diesel, Haircare, Kindle, Netflix, Personal care, Pinterest, Quikster, Ralph Lauren, VO5, Waitrose
Will a new brand name dilute your Staines?
Our naming expert Andy Kirk responds to the renaming of Staines, as Staines-upon-Thames. Will it be credible?
In: Brand Strategy, Naming, Viewpoints · Tags: Renaming, Staines-upon-Thames
What should Apple’s new TV be called?
Pundits are already calling the new Apple TV the i-TV, which, certainly in the UK, is raising as smile because one of the major broadcasters is ITV. Maybe this is a chance for them to out-do everyone and surprise with a new style of naming. If Amazon can do it with the Kindle, why not the beloved Apple?
In: Brand communications, Brand Strategy, Digital, Naming, Viewpoints · Tags: Apple, Apple TV, iTV, Television
Are brands becoming too familiar?
Can a brand be friendly? Brands are driven by their desire to connect with the consumer, to get up close, to move into your personal space, all up in your grill, to be way too familiar. But we’re much too grown up and savvy to let that happen.
In: Brand communications, Brand Strategy, Food and Drink, Viewpoints · Tags: Brand language, Copywriting, Language on pack
What does a Qwik-fix name mean for a brand?
It was interesting to hear that Netflix have split their film streaming business apart from their DVD-by-mail business, and called the latter offering Qwikster.
In: Brand communications, Brand Strategy, Corporate Identity, Film & Animation, Graphic design, Naming, Viewpoints · Tags: Brand identity, Brand naming, DVD, Film, Logo, Netflix, Qwikster
Seeing things backwards
A quick quiz for you:
What links the following: Yarg cheese; Aneres fashion designs; Harpo media production?
Naming ‘anxiety’ for NYSE Euronext Deutsche Börse
The merger/ acquisition of NYSE Euronext with Deutsche Börse has created a whole heap of trouble for the architects of the deal – to create the world’s biggest stock exchange – and demonstrates the power of names.
In: Brand communications, Corporate Identity, Naming, Viewpoints · Tags: Brand identity, Financial Services, mergers
Is Converse cool enough to save the 100 club?
Rock is dead, they say. Well not yet. Here are two richly nostalgic brands whose pasts are entwined with nascent music scenes. There may be a sniff of desperation from London’s rescued 100 Club, a sigh of relief, but now it has a chance to regain some relevance so that it can soldier on a [...]
In: Brand communications, Fashion, Viewpoints · Tags: 100 Club, Converse, Music, Sponsorship, Venues
Bravery: making your brand mean something
“Brands should create ground breaking names of such originality that they are hard to imitate once established” IPO It only takes one. Just one bad word and the whole thing falls apart; a seed of doubt, once it is said, is out there and nothing can be done to stop it from growing, or make [...]
Look back in Draper
I’ve recently overheard a number of conversations where a brand has been referred to as a “Don Draper“. Can this be a good thing? Don, guilt-ridden, boozed up, stinking of fags, insecure… Do I want a brand with a strong, stylish, masculine facade; or one with real depth of character? Mad Men holds up a [...]
In: Brand communications, Viewpoints · Tags: Mad Men
