I stumbled across a post on Logo Design Blog last week that showed a picture from Flickr of various logos of well-known companies.  The unique thing about the picture is it only included the first letter of the company name taken from each logo.  I thought it was interesting to see how many companies people can identify just by the first letter. 
Take a look at the following examples and see if you can identify the companies that go with the first letters of these logos:
       
What do you think?  Could you identify all five companies just by looking at …read more

Anderson Analytics surveyed over 600 members of the Marketing Executives Networking Group to learn what the top marketing trends are for 2008.  The results might surprise you.  First, take a look at the graph below that highlights the most important trends according to the marketing executives surveyed by Anderson Analytics.

Is it just me or does it seem like the marketing executives are missing the boat when it comes to marketing trends?

I read a great post on Small Business Branding this past week by Ed Roach that listed five relatively new forms of advertising that could be described as anything from unusual to downright bizarre.  Here’s a recap of Ed’s list:

Bumvertising – ad placement dollars + homeless person’s sign = increased sales.  Whether this tactic is politically correct or not and whether or not it works remains to be seen.
Adversiting Tattoos through Lease Your Body – nothing makes a statement better than a tattoo on a person’s forehead or so we’re lead to believe.
Google Earth Indirect Advertising – think Target and …read more

Very often on Brandcurve I talk about the importance of using common sense in marketing and branding initiatives, so I was thrilled to see a post on Branding Strategy Insider today that talked Of Executives and Common Sense.  Check it out when you have a chance.
For more posts about common sense on Brandcurve, you can read:
The Disney Brand & Wine: Not a Good Match
One Line Marketing Wisdom
Apple iPhone Sales Fail to Meet Expectations, Stock Drops

In another attempt to extend their brand, Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is planning to release a new product called Sprite Super Chilled in the U.K. in early 2008 (according to The BrandWiki and Marketing Week).  Apparently, the innovative new packaging actually creates ice upon opening. 

Lately, I published several posts about Disney’s (NYSE: DIS) strange attempts to extend its brand.  Today, I read an LA Times article that describes their newest venture, and finally, it’s one that I see value in as a Disney fan and parent.

Earlier this month, I published a post about Disney’s (NYSE: DIS) plans to enter the wine market (read Disney Extends Its Brand Presence Everywhere).  Luckily, it seems like they’ve come to their senses and plan to back out of the wine market before their wine ever hits store shelves.

I’m pleased to post an interview with Leslie List, President and CEO of Kulture Marketing in Fairfield, New Jersey.  Kulture Marketing’s award winning creative team offers a full complement of marketing creative services including:

Corporate identity and branding
Creative writing and editing
Event planning
Graphic design and layout
Internal marketing
Marketing strategy
Media planning and placement/printing
Public relations
Web design and e-commerce

I’ve used Leslie’s creative services to help me develop outstanding marketing collateral pieces, print ads and more.   I’m very happy that she agreed to share her thoughts on branding for Brandcurve readers. 
From a personal perspective, Leslie is a trained designer having graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia.  She …read more

I think our first attempt at brand free association was a hit (see the results here), so let’s try round 2.  Here’s how to play:
First, I’ll provide a list of randomly selected, well-known brands and add the first descriptive word that comes to my mind for each brand.  Then, I’d like you, my readers, to leave comments with the first descriptive word that comes to your mind for each of the brand names.  Don’t worry about your answers being creative, mind-blowing or unique.  By providing the first descriptive word you think of when you see a brand name, we’ll get …read more