Becky, we salute you!
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In case you forgot that today was Administrative Professionals Day, run out quick and grab some flowers, candy or a gift card for the individual who really sits at command central for most companies. Today we give a great big shout out to AW’s own Becky Leonard, a U.S. Marine Veteran and our current go-to gal for everything from toner to coffee to learning how to use the fax machine for the 20th time. Becky’s commitment to this company and the individuals who work here is inspiring, even if we don’t say it every time we grab a Twix bar from the candy bowl up front.
To show just how much she means to us, we asked the employees of Addison Whitney to write one word (ok, maybe a couple of words) that defines Becky. It’s easy to see the kind of person that she is. Thanks Becky, for all you do!!
Quack for a Cause
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend check out Kindermourn’s Duck Race at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. A local non-profit agency that assists parents who have lost children, Kindermourn established the duck race five years ago to raise awareness and funds for their organization. The race enlists adopted rubber duckies in a healthy watersport competition, each competing for the grand prize: A Smart Fortwo car generously donated by Felix Sabates’ Smart Center in Charlotte.
The Fifth Annual Hope Floats Duck Race
Sunday, April 19, 2009
U.S. National Whitewater Center
2:00 to 5:00 PM
Can a tea brand ‘end bitterness?’
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I grew up drinking Luzianne tea on my front porch. We served it at every family picnic and it was a staple within our refrigerator. The Luzianne brand epitomized “sweet tea,” and was considered the standard southern beverage.
The company’s recent new product line is “Luzianne Coffee,” with a clever campaign to “end bitterness.” While I love the call to action of the new initiative, will this simple brand extension dilute the equity they have in their famous tea brand? With Luzianne’s heritage as a cool, refreshing, afternoon front porch beverage, will it be difficult for the company to successfully cross over into the hot, wake-you-up in the morning coffee space?
Branding Bowl Games: Sugar Bowl
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2009 marks the 75th anniversary of the Sugar Bowl, whose name originates from the history of Louisiana itself. Back in the 1920s, when the idea for the annual game was first discussed, Louisiana was the nation’s top sugar producer. According to an article from the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/30/sports/ncaafootball/30sugar.html?fta=y), the “game’s original stadium was built on land where Étienne de Boré became the first person in La Louisiane to crystallize sugar into granules.”
The trophy for the first game, played by Tulane and Temple, was a replica of a silver wine cooler that was crafted in 1830 and donated by a French Quarter antiques dealer. Interesting that the members of the Mid-Winter Sports Association chose that symbol, rather than a connection to the refined sucrose we know and love today.
12 Toys of Christmas: 12 Weebles Wobbling
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We all know the phrase, and admit it, you’ve said it more than once: “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.“
Originally introduced in the late 1960’s by Romper Room, Weebles were miniature versions of the familiar clown punching bags. The earliest Weebles were shorter and fatter (and a little scary looking) with peelable stickers that were easily scratched and ripped. When Hasbro acquired Romper Room in 1969, the new line was improved with non-peelable stickers and friendlier character faces and competed head to head with Fisher Price’s Little People. Since its introduction, the simple Weebles toy has expanded to include circus sets, treasure island themes, and even licensing agreements by Disney.
Popular Weeble toys have recently included:
History doesn’t show the origin of the name Weebles, but I can only assume it’s a fusion of “wee” connoting “little” and “wobble,” suggesting the rocking or side-to-side movement of the toys.
Campus Equity
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As a North Carolina native, I’ve always considered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be synonymous with “UNC.” It was the first public university in the United States, and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century. The institution itself owns the trademark for UNC, as well as the domain name.
The University of North Carolina family of schools actually has 16 different university campuses, most with disparate brands. Some institutions utilize a brand extension approach to identify themselves as part of the University of North Carolina family, including Asheville (UNCA), Charlotte (UNCC), Greensboro (UNCG), Pembroke (UNCP), and Wilmington (UNCW). But with other constituents of the University of North Carolina family adopting a different style of naming (Appalachian State, NC State, East Carolina, etc), it looks like the system needs some consistent brand standards. Does the brand extension approach for some universities imply that they are simply an additional campus of the main school and not their own entity? And do those universities that distance themselves in naming structure from the UNC family heritage do a disservice to their students and alumni?
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Challenge: Off-Label Usage
Working with pharmaceutical companies, we hear the phrase “off-label use” used more and more. What exactly does this refer to?
Off-label use refers to the prescribing of drugs for treatment outside of the regulatory-approved label or indication. While this practice certainly has its pros and cons, it’s interesting to note how off-label use works in our own personal lives, outside of the pharmaceutical space. With the economic crisis, the push to go green, and a “simpler lifestyle” mentality emerging, off-label consumer product usage makes sense on several levels.
Spooktastic Events
Branders and marketers take full advantage of creating names for holiday events, as evidenced by the plethora of Halloween-inspired names this year. Take a peek at some examples in the Queen City:
Scarowinds
Adding one letter to the original brand offers instant brand recognition
Boo at the Zoo
Rhyming adds memorability
The Amazing Maize Maze
Not necessarily Halloween-related, but homonyms are always fun
In other areas, you can find:
Halloween Spooktacular (SeaWorld)
MetroBoo (Miami Metro Zoo)
Monster Splash (Miami Seaquarium)
Howl-o-Ween (various canine-inspired Halloween parties)
What are some other Halloween-inspired brands or event names you’ve seen this year?
Redefining High Definition
Laminate countertops have long been recognized for their scratch-resistance, long wear time, and easiness to clean and maintain. The product is an economical choice for homeowners, but the accessibility and appeal of granite and quartz for use in kitchens and bathrooms recently has given laminate manufacturers cause for redesign and rebranding.
Wilsonart’s new “high definition” countertops are, in fact, laminate. They incorporate new textures and finishes that rival the look of granite, without the price tag. And they offer builders an option for new home buyers to upgrade their kitchen without adding a hefty line item to their sales sheet. Wilson could have called this new line “Laminate Plus” or “Laminex” or “Insert nifty new name here.” Instead, the 50+ year old company borrowed some equity from the well-known and continually growing audio/video industry and simply dubbed their product line “Wilsonart High Definition.”
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