Starbucks Did What?!
Caffeine addicts across the world are in uproar over Starbucks' announcement this week that its logo would be changing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in March and the company’s larger focus.
On Starbucks’ site you can read comments from people upset over the change and even suggesting alternative designs. Interestingly, Starbucks partners (also known as employees) are posting positive comments and are expressing excitement for the change. Commenter Simplycatlin, a partner, says “You guys love the experience not the name and not the green lady...” Bingo.
A brand is so much more than a logo. (Repeat this phrase five times.) It’s about the emotional experience people have with your brand; the unique place your brand holds in people’s hearts and minds.
Maybe all the uproar is not really about the logo, it’s about the fear that people’s favorite brand may be changing and moving away from coffee and its delicious pumpkin cream cheese muffins. Maybe Starbucks brand fans are worried that this “third place” they’ve come to love escaping to could change. Of course, maybe they really just don’t like the new logo.
What do you think – is it the logo or is it more than that causing the controversy?
Please note: This blog entry was not biased in any way by my long-time respect for their brand and my adoration for Howard Schultz, who I affectionately refer to as Howard, like I’ve known him for years.
It's Back
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Did you hear that noise earlier last week? It was the sound of millions of Americans rejoicing. Why? The McRib is back, of course.
Considering there’s a McDonald’s on every corner, it’s interesting how McDonald’s has been able to make a pork sandwich so exclusive. Thousands wait for sightings each year on the McRib locator website. Facebook groups beg for its return. Well folks, prayers have been answered because 2010 is the magical year when all U.S. McDonald’s are carrying the sandwich (for a limited time of course).
I think the last McRib I had was in 1996, but something about the McRib is exciting each year. And not just for me, remember Jack Osbourne’s excitement (video is bleeped but probably NSFW)?
This year, McDonald’s McRib ad campaign highlights the love and passion people have for the sandwich as opposed to focusing on the exclusivity alone. Yep, love and passion for a pork sandwich.
Have you had a McRib sandwich yet?
Farewell Grandma's Belk
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Growing up in the South, Belk department stores have been a shopping staple. When I was young, I remember going to Belk with my grandmother and thinking it was so fancy. Just look at its logo. It’s cursive. That’s the ultimate in fancy to a seven-year-old. But I’m not seven anymore and while I love a good Belk sale, it seems too old for me.
But the traditional image of Belk is no more as it rebrands and gets ready to unveil its new, modern logo and tagline: "Modern. Southern. Style."
This new strategy is a big departure from the image of Belk many people my age have in my mind. And, it’s a great move. Major department stores like Macy’s have regularly updated its image through major advertising campaigns with high profile celebrities.
According to the Charlotte Observer, shoppers in key markets for Belk can expect to see changes as early as Nov. 1. The new look and feel will do a lot to refresh the image of this Charlotte-based chain. And if you’re reading this Belk, this is so exciting I think a month-long Customer Appreciation mega sale is in order, especially here in Charlotte.
24 Hours of Booty
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This weekend, more than 1,200 cyclists converged on Charlotte for 24 Hours of Booty. For 24 hours, cyclists rode a nearly three mile loop around the Myers Park neighborhood in a sign of unity against all types of cancer. This annual event raises money for cancer research and survivorship. This year, participants raised more than $1 million!
Addison Whitney’s own Verbal Branding Coordinator Jenna Wise took part in the ride as part of Team Gita. Volunteerism is a large part of the Addison Whitney culture so seven members of our team, along with a few spouses, signed up to help out.
Some people may think of volunteering as something you’re giving an organization, but I’m always amazed at how much I get back from volunteering a few hours of my time. This event was incredibly inspiring. The race began as cancer survivors rode off after an emotional send-off. And then an army of cyclists, some riding in memory of those they’d lost to cancer, and others simply devoted to helping others took off – all 1,200 of them.
This event isn’t about how many laps you’ll ride, it’s about why you ride. The best part of my night was then a father and daughter came over to chat. The young girl proudly told me she was riding for her mom who was a survivor. That’s why you ride.
The Rebranding of the Y
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Any given day, you’re sure to find an Addison Whitney employee at the Y running on a tredmill or perfecting Zumba moves. As a member of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, I received an email last week from the President & CEO and Metropolitan Board Chair that blew my mind – in a good way.
By the time I’d received the email, I’d heard the news of the YMCA’s rebranding to the Y. I had seen the new logo and color palette. And I had read quite a few articles and blog entries cheering and jeering the change.
But this email was different because it was from my Y. The email, entitled “Still Your YMCA,” communicated the changes members can expect including a new brand strategy defining its cause of strengthening the foundations of community and a refreshed logo. But it also told members what would not change: the mission, core values and services members enjoy.
A key to successfully introducing a rebranding effort to your target audience is communication. As a member of the brand strategy team, we tell our clients going through rebranding efforts to do just what the Y did so well. Tell your target audience why you did it, how you did it and what they can expect. Change can be scary, so calm any fears by clearly stating what will not change.
The email from the YMCA of Greater Charlotte says it best: “As you can see, the Y isn't changing any of the great programs and services that we've always provided; we're just trying to do a better job of explaining why they matter.”
And you’re off to a great start.
TV Show About Jobs
Apple is an amazing brand. And in its fanatics’ mind, nothing is more on-brand than Steve Jobs. He is mysterious, smart, passionate, innovative and wears a mean black turtleneck. And, unlike other great brands’ CEOs, he is so interesting that a TV show mirroring his life is in the works. Yep, a TV show.
You may have seen the show Undercover Boss which takes strides to show the human side of CEOs of companies like White Castle, Waste Management and 7-Eleven. And other CEOs like Tony Hseih of Zappos.com have taken to Twitter to engage fans. In fact, as of today, Tony has more than 1.6 million followers. But a sitcom, now that’s a whole new level of love for (or fascination of) a CEO.
I wonder if it’s a show Jobs would watch (on his iPhone or iPad of course). Would you check it out?
A Refreshing New Offering from Intuit
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Like any good American, I was doing my taxes recently. I’m a TurboTax gal. I’ve used it for the past 6 years and it’s pretty easy. As I got closer to the end, fingers and toes crossed hoping for a refund (it didn’t work), I came to a screen with an ad for Mint.com. Well this is new, I thought. Those smart folks at Intuit – you know, the makers of TurboTax, Quicken, and QuickBooks – have a new product.
The name, Mint, might make you think refreshment like the plant or may make you think of making money. I like both so I checked it out. The site aggregates all of your bills, accounts and debts into one site so you can budget and easily keep an eye on your accounts. I like budgets (she says with a smirk).
But the reason I really like it? It is endorsed by Intuit. Intuit has established itself as a financial software resource and immediately I trusted my information would be secure and accurate on Mint.com as well. It turns out Intuit acquired Mint.com late last year. Before the acquisition, I wouldn’t have given the site a second look. Tying Mint.com to Intuit gives it immediate credibility and positive associations.
I tried Mint.com out and it was very easy to use. The problem is that I’m a little paranoid when it comes to giving my information out online despite Intuit’s stellar reputation for security. So, for the moment, the only mint in my life is in my green tea.
My Goodness
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For 250 years, Guinness has been refreshing thirsty beer-lovers across the world. And, on St. Patrick’s Day, no celebration is complete without this Irish legend.
To many, Guinness is so much more than a beer, it’s an experience of pure joy. Envision the Guinness experience: the request, “Guinness please;” the 119.53 second pour; the cascade; the first sip.
What was developed from humble beginnings has become one of the world’s most successful brands. Its advertising from the 1930s is considered art. Fanatics make pilgrimages to Guinness Storehouse for a pint. Its logo can be found on anything from shirts to hats to toy trucks to cufflinks. In Africa, its ads transitioned into a movie called "Critical Assignment" starring a character of its own creation called Michael Power. And, in 2007 it was estimated that 10 million glasses of Guinness were enjoyed around the world each day.
So, this St. Patty’s Day, as you enjoy a Guinness or two (if you're of legal age of course), take some time to savor a little bit of the history in your glass. Sláinte!
"May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live." - Irish toast
A Bad Case of App Envy
I have bone to pick about apps. With the launch of the iPhone and now the iPad, apps have become big business and many large brands have created apps to enhance engagement with its products. The world has gone app crazy – or so it appears.
Here’s my problem. In North America, approximately 9 million Americans have an iPhone while Blackberry has nearly 15 million users. So, WHY are apps for the iPhone significantly outnumber the number for BlackBerry. Us BlackBerry users still want to be able access Rolling Stone’s concert vault, hold up fake lighters, look at maps of foreign countries and anything else that apps can help me do.
Come on developers. Don’t forget about the BlackBerry users. We need fancy apps to pass the time in line and at stop lights too.
Bring on the ads!
So it looks like this year’s Super Bowl will be the Saints versus the Colts. Boring. Bring on the commercials!
This year, the price of a Super Bowl ad has dropped to around $2.5 million from $3 million last year. In addition, some of Super Bowl past’s most iconic brands have dropped out this year. In lieu of advertising Pepsi is focusing on online and social-responsibility efforts and FedEx isn’t advertising for the second year in a row. This means no Justin Timberlake (Pepsi) and no crazy carrier pigeons (FedEx). Dang.
For other brands, like smaller companies or those looking to increase awareness, this is a great opportunity. Just think of all the exposure Cash4Gold received last year thanks to a little help from MC Hammer and Ed McMahon. This year, Emerald Nuts and HomeAway are hoping to generate some buzz among the 100 million viewers.
It got me thinking about what a great opportunity this would be for a smaller company. Of course, some companies don’t have $2.3 million to throw around for a one-time, 30-second ad. So, let’s venture into the world of make believe. If you could give a 30-second spot to any company for this year’s Super Bowl, what company would it be?