| Jul. 07 2006 at 4:47 PM |
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Although I have been a graphic designer for many years, I have learned personally how a brand can affect you. When I started my company in 2002, it was called "SerenDIPity Gourmet Specialties". It was kind of boring and long. Nobody really remembered it. At that time I was only selling my dip mixes so I thought the "DIP" in SerenDIPity was cute. Still, it wasn't catchy enough. My web URL was always dippychick.com because serendipity.com was taken and anything else was too long. (I think getting the dippychick URL was fate!) People always remembered "dippy chick". A few months ago, I incorporated and decided it was a good time to change my company name to "The Dippy Chick Company". The new name was an instant hit and I created a fun new logo. This name also allows me to introduce products other than dip mixes, like my new "Squirrel Bait" frosted walnuts. Now people are always wondering what the dippy chick is going to come up with next.  So, the moral is... don't be afraid to be different. Having an unusual name can really make a difference. It can really affect how your business is perceived and remembered! People see my company name and logo and smile and wonder - "what is that all about?" They never forget the name - or the web address thankfully!  Chris
The Dippy Chick Company, Inc.
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| Jul. 07 2006 at 6:20 PM |
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Great advice Chris! Dippy Chick is absolutely memorable.
For me, The Pet Set, while I've seen it used by others, had to
communicate a certain kind of style and quality...we have a very snooty
looking dog next to our logo and it is registered.
That dog is like our spokesperson...we don't do anything without Ava (as in Gardner)...lol
In ads she is the focal point, as in "Ava, for The Pet Set"...people
get such a hoot that we treat her as if she is a celebritiy for the
brand.
Kim
the-petset.com
blogfabulous.com
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| Jul. 07 2006 at 6:42 PM |
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Dogs can be powerful marketing tools for sure! Especially larger dogs like Ms. Gardner there. I'd have to say that personally, I love to see a big lab or golden in an ad or logo, but poodles and little ragmop-type dogs turn me off. (Maybe because my obnoxious neighbors have 3 of them and they yap all day! When the lady walks them, they all fight with each other, so every day I hear little dog fights. I swear it sounds like they're killing each other!  )
I think The Pet Set is a great name! Certainly memorable. Chris
The Dippy Chick Company, Inc.
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| Jul. 08 2006 at 2:30 PM |
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entreprenerd wrote: Dogs can be powerful marketing tools for sure!
The furniture company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (love their furniture - have one of the leather chairs) have done a great job in promoting the fact that their dog Lulu is part of the company team. There's a page on their web site for posting photos of Lulu's friends, company email notices come from Lulu, Lulu is often featured in ads and company literature, and she's even the favicon for their web site's URLs. It been a great branding and marketing tool.
- J.
Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives
bLog-oMotives | Logo Notions | Identity Crisis!
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| Jul. 24 2006 at 1:56 AM |
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My secret is Establish a Media Brand.
Few people know about the power of the media. You have to have worked in customer service or a media company to understand the power and advantages of being a Media Brand.
I first learned about the power of the media working as a customer service agent 10 years ago. When reporters call they are required to announce that they are with the media. Most companies have thier PR or management handle all media relations..for obvious reasons. In essence if you were part of the media, you get the Management to help you with any issues..not the CSRs because companies like to put thier best face forward towards the media and you get better customer service. I really delved into what it means to be a Media brand after developing multiple flowers websites and managing operations for that company for over two years. The power of the media means you get advertising discounts from other media, you can get into events that may be sold out, and you pay little or no money for advertising in other media because the media trades advertising space with each other for FREE.
Edited by: rocknroll333 - Jan. 03 2007 at 2:59 PM
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| Oct. 16 2006 at 4:26 PM |
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| Oct. 20 2006 at 7:08 PM |
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This is so real and true..Branding is a time consuming game I guess. For a small business, coming up with names for one's concept or business that closely attaches to the product or service will surely make it easier. Totally agreeing to this principle..Recenlty, there was some intuition about a service based offering that has potential..Immediately went to Godaddy.com and searched many variations for this "Verrry Early" stage concept - Jeternity.com - Now looking for collaborators and means to build upon this concept...
Thanks again for this great topic!
-s
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| Oct. 21 2006 at 10:33 AM |
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I'm in the very beginnings of starting a business and what I remember from my marketing classes at University of Phoenix is of the importance of having a strong brand as part of your 'marketing' arsenal. Since my business has several different parts to it, web design, publishing, jewelry design (diversifying!), I knew that I needed to create a logo that establishes a connection between all three. But its more than just that. I am still working on the elements of what is the unifying 'theme' that ties them all together. But each step I take in the start-up process, I keep in the back of my mind the brand that I am trying to create. No one ever said it would be an easy process. Thank goodness Start Up Nation is around with some great help!
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