Companies like Apple are known for creating new products like the iPod, but if you want to impress me, apply some new thinking to existing, mundane products.  It’s called changing the rules, and we’ve seen some good examples of that recently. Dyson has built a brand on revolutionizing the vacuum cleaner, a product that has changed [...]

There are some unmistakable signs that the holiday season is upon us.  The days get shorter, the air a bit cooler (for those of us living in the North), and the stores display Christmas decorations, although lately that’s been starting around Labor Day. And there’s one more that anyone who watches TV will recognize.  No, [...]

My column in this month’s issue of Retail Observer is about investing in your brand during a tough economy.  Some will dismiss it as self-serving advice from a marketing guy, and to a certain extent, it is.  But it is sound advice, as others would agree.  And who would you prefer marketing advice from?  An accountant?  Do you get golf tips [...]

Domino’s, the once-proud leader of delivery pizza chains, is now introducing a line of toasted submarine sandwiches.  McDonald’s now offers McCafe drinks in vanilla latte, cappuccino and mocha.  What’s next?  Will Quizno’s add pizza to their menu?  Will Starbucks start serving burgers? This happens all too often. Far be it for me to question the wisdom of the high-paid executives [...]

Up late last night, I got into a discussion on Twitter with Al Krueger (fellow Milwaukeean and very smart fellow) about branding. He tweeted about the new Volkswagon ads, featuring Brooke Shields promoting VW’s new minivan, the Routan.  He wondered if the mere fact that VW even offers a minivan was detrimental to the brand. He’s [...]