March 8, 2005

branding is dead (cont.)

yyyylkgjut06.jpg

Earlier today, the "Branding Is Dead" debate continued over lunch:

Hugh: Branding is dead.

Friend: You really think that?

Hugh: Yes.

Friend: Why do you believe that?

Hugh: Because it's better than the alternative.

Friend: What's the alternative?

Hugh: Necrophilia.

Posted by hugh macleod at March 8, 2005 12:39 AM | TrackBack
Comments

branding is for necrophiliacs? ha!

Posted by: J at March 8, 2005 3:15 AM

Branding is the domain of educated wankers who piss on the floor of public washrooms. Don't BLINK now but it too has reached the tipping point.

Don't forget to buy my new book coming out this spring, "How whales talk in dirty"

Posted by: Tom at March 8, 2005 7:05 AM

Most companies haven't the faintest idea of what branding is, was, or should be.

Some companies waste their time trying to establish a global brand (Haier) when comsumers just buy their products because they're cheap.

Some think that faded glory is still a valuable asset (TCL/RCA).

And some shouldn't waste their time because they have great products (Sanyo).

Posted by: John Antczak at March 8, 2005 7:43 AM

Isn't branding essential because it establishes momentum? I suppose what really really talking about is coerced branding as opposed to products that brand themselves on the leathery consciousness of consumers based on sheer quality.

Posted by: Steve Griffiths at March 8, 2005 11:05 AM

I don't know what the heck your talking about Hugh. You make a statment and then back away from it with no explaination; that's boring.

I keep coming to your blog because others have you listed but I'm continually bewildered since there is not real discussion going on.

Bye.

Posted by: Bruce DeBoer at March 8, 2005 2:50 PM

Sorry, Bruce, maybe my "creative" wasn't "synthesised" enough. Ha!

Posted by: hugh macleod at March 8, 2005 3:22 PM

Wait, isn't branding like, a logo? I was once asked to make a logo but change the font a bit to make it "special". So now I do that every time and life is good.

Posted by: Alexoid at March 8, 2005 11:47 PM

A brand is your identity.
Every product has one by virtue of being.
The question is awareness - that is how many people know your brand. And expectations - if they know you what's their perception of what you do.
(both those critical features can be changed by PR, advertising, and other communications tactics)
Saying that 'branding is dead' to say you don't understand what a brand is about.
Dumb.

Posted by: arturo at March 9, 2005 1:38 AM

Synthesized is spelled with a Z

Posted by: Bruce DeBoer at March 9, 2005 2:50 PM

this arturo comment has been brought to you by coca cola.

[sorry, that was unconstructive.]

Posted by: campester at March 10, 2005 12:22 AM