Taco Terrier
While I was on the verge of purchasing a puppy it got me thinking about puppy names. I could go with the standard cool name like Bruiser, to the more traditional name like Baxter, to the type of breed. Each breed of dog has its own characteristics, attributes and benefits, similar to that of a brand. Now, a dog that was once considered just a cute mutt has transitioned into its very own brand category … a “designer breed”, which has me completely baffled. Just to give you an idea of how many of “designer breeds” exist, I compiled a list of registered names from the ACHC.
- Yorkshire Terrier + Poddle = YorkiePoo
- Jack Russell Terrier + Poodle = Jack-A-Poo
- Labrador Retriever = Labrodoodle
- Chihuahua + Dachshund = Chiwinie
- Poodle + Westie = Wee-Poo
- Bulldog + Pug = Buggs
- Pomeranien + Poddle = PomaPoo
- Affenpinscher + Chihuahua = Affenhuahua
- Affenpinscher + Poddle = Affenpoo
- American Bulldog + Boxer = Bulloxer
- American Bulldog + Mastif = MastiBull
- Alaskan Malamute + Siberian Husky = Alusky
- American Eskimo + Cocker Spaniel = Cock-A-Mo
- American Eskimo + Shih Tzu = Shih-Mo
- American Rat Terrier + Boston Terrier = Brat
- Beagle + Jack Russell Terrier = Jack-A-Bee
And two of my personal favorites…
- Basset Hound + Miniature Schnauzer = Bowzer
- Chihuahua + Toy Fox Terrier = Taco Terrier
…believe me the list goes on and on
Moreover, I have noticed that in the corporate world, the “breeding” of two brand names often takes a more conservative approach to naming.
MillerCoors (perhaps “Cooller” possibly could of work due to the environment in which their product lives).
Thomson Reuters (Reuterson ehh maybe that is just a bad last name, ie Tom Reuterson).
Is this good "brandalosophy"? Or should a new name be developed opening the door to refined characteristics and benefits giving birth to a new “designer brand?”
By: Nick Irwin
Gen-Ed
What’s your generation?
Interbellum Generation (born 1901 - 1910)
Derived from the Latin inter- between and bellum- war, this generation was too young to have served in World War I, and generally too old for World War II.
The Greatest Generation (born 1901 - 1924)
This generation fought and/or kept the home front intact during World War II, honored by Tom Brokaw as the greatest generation any society has ever produced.
Silent Generation (born 1925 - 1945)
Too young to be world war two heroes, two old for the counterculture, this group is largely overlooked. Within it, however, exists American literary expatriates who lived in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s, referred to as the Lost Generation.
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Branding on a Budget
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With the economy slowing, many consumer brands are feeling the pressure to keep customers spending, which means better deals for us! Listed below are just a few brands that are attempting to leverage the recent economic crisis.
TARGET:
Target’s new TV ad campaign focuses on a more cost friendly approach to everyday life. The do-it-yourself spirit of the ad empowers customers to think about their everyday life differently. For example, riding a bike to work rather than worrying about expensive gas, cutting your children’s hair rather than taking them to the barbershop every 3 weeks and exercising at home rather than paying a costly gym membership. The ads encourage me to think about the necessities in my life and how I can find ways to simplify and reduce my spending.
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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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Baby Names
Forget the book of 1,000 baby names. Try consulting a calendar, the produce section at the grocery store or a list of inspirational words instead. If the names of Hollywood babies are any indication, non-traditional baby naming is becoming the new norm. Even if the majority of people aren’t going quite so far as to name their child Mango or November, popular baby names today are quite different than they were 50 years ago.
Top 10 Girl Names (1957)
Mary
Susan
Linda
Debra
Karen
Deborah
Cynthia
Patricia
Barbara
Donna
Top 10 Girl Names (2007)
Emily
Isabella
Emma
Ava
Madison
Sophia
Olivia
Abigail
Hannah
Elizabeth
Top 10 Boy Names (1957)
Michael
James
David
Robert
John
William
Mark
Richard
Thomas
Steven
Top 10 Boy Names (2007)
Jacob
Michael
Ethan
Joshua
Daniel
Christopher
Anthony
William
Matthew
Andrew
By: Jessica McGrail
Beer: It's Not Just for Men
As beer consumption decreases, brewers in the U.K. are attempting to attract a new segment of consumers: women. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, a study by Coors found that beer’s biggest competitors are wine and vodka- both of which are largely popular with women. So why don’t women drink beer? A big reason, according to Coors Chief Executive, Mark Hunter, is that most women regard beer as fattening. Another reason is because the beer industry has neglected to advertise to women.
At London pubs in the U.K., Coors recently began aiming its Blue Moon Label toward women, hoping to attract them with fancy orange slices. Some pubs have even tried coating the oranges in brown sugar. The same trend can be noticed here in the United States. Bud Light Lime is probably the biggest and most recent example. While men are drinking Bud Light Lime, women especially like its sweet and fruity taste. Other examples include Michelob Ultra’s line of fruit-infused beers such as Lime Cactus, Pomegranate Raspberry, and Tuscan Orange Grapefruit.
In addition to “girly” flavored beers, women themselves are promoting beer. An article from msn.com states that Jessica Simpson has signed on as spokeswoman for Stampede Light Plus, a beer made by Dallas’ Stampede Brewing Co.
By: Jessica McGrail
Word of the day: Staycation
Although this word isn’t defined in the dictionary yet, it is in Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, a staycation is a period of time in which an individual or family stays at home and relaxes at home or takes day trips from their home to area attractions. This word has become increasingly popular over the summer as gas prices hit record levels. During a staycation, most people become tourists in their own city. They may visit local museums, check out nearby amusement parks and go out to eat. While they are still spending money, they are saving on the big ticket items such as gas and lodging. A staycation can also be less stressful than a traditional vacation because it doesn’t require packing, extensive driving or waiting at the airport. Maybe you can even put some of the money you save from your staycation into a vacation fund for when the economy and gas prices start to turn around.
By: Jessica McGrail
Word of the day: Hypermiler
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According to Wikipedia, hypermilers are drivers who exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated fuel efficiency on their vehicles by modifying their driving habits.
The energy in fuel consumed in driving is lost in many ways, including engine inefficiency, aerodynamic drag, rolling friction, and kinetic energy lost to braking. Driver behavior can influence all of these factors to reduce fuel consumption. WIRED magazine discusses the subject at length.
Related terms:
Nempimania (also Nenpimania) is an obsession with getting the best fuel economy possible from a hybrid car. It is derived from the Japanese "nempi" meaning fuel economy, and "mania".
Ecodriving is a term used in Europe to name initiatives which support energy efficient use of vehicles. Check out this site for golden rules on ecodriving.
Contributed by: Maghan Cook
Trend Watch: Drug Delivery
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As pharmaceuticals are becoming more sophisticated, the need for targeted and effective modes of administration is becoming more apparent: a trend that is not being ignored by companies worldwide. Drug delivery is an increasingly dynamic sector of the pharmaceutical industry, and it may prove to be one of the most interesting areas of growth over the next decade.
Branding Happy Hour
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While relaxing on the outdoor patio at M5 in SouthPark, enjoying one of their “signature cocktails,” I began to question the connection between my drink selection and the names assigned to the drinks at this particular restaurant. Sure, the “French Grape Crush” is an indisputably delicious blend of white rum, crushed red grapes, soda and simple syrup…but would I ever have ordered it if it was listed on the menu as Rum with Grapes? And for that matter, would I have been willing to pay $10 for a drink that sounded so simple? Perhaps our motivations for selecting a particular drink have less to do with the ingredients and more to do with the mystique of the name. It certainly appears that today’s martini bars have bought into this theory, as evidenced by the clever drink names at some of my favorite local spots. They come in all forms:
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