image

Celebrity “Undorsement” and Negative Product Placement

We pay attention to celebrities. What they eat and drink and where they shop and what they wear. But the celebrities we pay most attention to aren’t exactly what you’d call classy. In a brilliant turn, brands have begun using reality TV stars to show their competitors’ products in a negative light.

image

How the globe-trotting generation connects with airlines

We don’t care about brands that send out the one-size-fits-all message to the entire world. My love for Southwest isn’t just about their cheap fares or the fact that my bags can fly free. It’s their flight attendants rapping safety instructions, it’s their fun work culture, it’s about what the airline represents.

image

5 ways your brand can earn my loyalty

Word on the street is that Gen Y isn’t loyal to brands. Well, that’s simply not true. We’re loyal to the brands that are loyal to us – those that show genuine interest in their consumers and connect in a meaningful way. Gen Y needs more than sales and coupons. Here are five ways brands can earn our loyalty.

image

What we talk about when we talk about loving brands

If you want to sell me something, give me an experience, tell me a story, or be my friend. Simple recognition, which once worked so well, suddenly isn’t good enough anymore. Instead, we now look to have a slick user interface, or just a warm smile. I’m a human being. Give me a great experience, I’ll come back. And I’ll bring my friends.

image

The alcohol brands we love

Alcohol brands themselves sometimes carry more weight than their products, so it is important for companies to understand what Millennials are looking for in a brand of booze and why we like the brands we do. Many of us are leaving behind the days of college, and drinking the cheapest rubbing alcohol isn’t as appealing as it once was, so we’re looking to find a brand that works for us.

image

It’s all about the channel, not the brand

Paul Parkin, a founding partner of SALT Branding in San Francisco, had an interview with MediaPost’s Sarah Mahoney about Gen Y and brands earlier this month. Ultimately, he says, members of Gen Y trust channels more than brands. “They may … Continued

image

My quest for the Super Mayor Badge

“Hold on, just let me check-in”. It seems like those are now my words of choice whenever my friends and I go out. They often sigh and ignore me for a few minutes until I’m done using my phone and then things return to normal. More and more, this is a common occurrence, all thanks to Foursquare.

image

Do brands have a responsibility to your health?

The government is legislating trans fats. Schools are trying to get soft drinks and unhealthy snacks banned from vending machines. Obesity and diabetes are two health issues that will cost tax payers millions if not more in the future (another … Continued