Archive for October 11th, 2010

GAP SCRAPS NEW LOGO: MISTAKE OR GOOD MOVE?

Last week, after the Gap brand sprung a new logo on unsuspecting consumers, and the internet went nuts with passionate pleas for the return of the old logo. Today, the company honored that plea.

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) — Just four days after confirming its surprise new logo was, in fact, legit Gap is returning to its old design, Ad Age has learned. The announcement is expected to be made at 4:30 Pacific Time on Monday on the brand’s Facebook page.
Marka Hansen, Gap North America president, informed the company’s marketing department this afternoon of the change, acknowledging that the switch was a mistake and that the company would be tabling any changes for the foreseeable future.
The logo, created by New York agency Laird & Partners, was intended to be a long-term commitment for the brand with a nod to the future. Ms. Hansen’s about-face about the Gap’s new logo was foreshadowed by a blog post she wrote for the Huffington Post last Thursday. “We chose this design as it’s more contemporary and current. It honors our heritage through the blue box while still taking it forward,” she said. “Now, given the passionate outpouring from customers that followed, we’ve decided to engage in the dialogue, take their feedback on board and work together as we move ahead and evolve to the next phase of Gap.”

The only nagging question in my mind– Did they think really think that logo was the future mark of the brand or was it something drawn up in the marketing dept to create consumer engagement? Now you have millions of people passionately discussing the Gap brand, both for and against the change.

Why not? Isn’t that what the digital age is all about. Give the people an opportunity to voice their opinions before they spend tens-of-millions of dollars in changing the logos on storefronts, clothes, etc. Then if they hate it you can always not change it.

This way all they loose is the money spent on designing it and gain millions of people looking at Gap and rediscovering how they feel about the brand.

I think its a win….What do you think?

October 11, 2010 · 4 Comments Continue Reading →

U SHOULD KNOW-MIKE JOHNSON

Mike Johnson was living A COROPORATEpreneur’s dream…The one where you get paid by the job to do something and eventually your company’s clients like your work so much that they pay you on the side to do more of the same.

In his day job at RadioOne in Atlanta, Mike was responsible for producing radio ads, a ‘free’ option when you purchase radio time. But you know how the saying goes…  “You get what you pay for.” So the better Mike got at producing creative ads, the more his ads stood out and the bigger his demand became. Companies began paying to ensure their spot was being produced by Mike…. Eventually, the side business became more lucrative than his day job. Of course the inevitable happened…..

“[Getting fired] was the best thing ever happened to me…..The day I got fired from Radio-One I sat on the couch in my living room for about 10 hours wondering if I had enough faith in myself to go into business for myself and something in me just snapped and said “If it doesn’t work out you could always get another job, but you will always wonder what would’ve happened if you didn’t try.” -Mike Johnson

Deciding to set up Groundrush media in June of 1999, Mike took control of his own destiny and quickly his firm became the go-to firm for, not only his radio work but for regional Advertising across all mediums. Now, 10 years, and numerous awards later Mike has his sights set on another frontier. Earlier this year, he launched the online radio station beehivefm and is now billing it as the future of radio. To some that statement would be laughable, however it is far from impossible.

(Now that is some irony. You get fired from a job and first you take some client work, and now you want the industry itself)

With radio production experience that puts them on par with terrestrial radio, Beehivefm has created a quality platform, from which new voices, and personalities have arrived on the national scene. Their roster of talent is made up of some Atlanta’s key tastemakers and is quickly becoming mandatory daytime listening for a growing internet audience. And with no corporate oversight they have the opportunity to create a unique programming experience. The only trick left to leverage Groundrush’s advertising experience to bring in ad revenue and sponsors.

Get to know Mike’s work  at  www.beehivefm.com or  www.groundrushmedia.com

October 11, 2010 · 2 Comments Continue Reading →

VASHTIE: THE WOMAN KING

While Vashtie Kola’s event the other night celebrated her collaboration with Brand Jordan and her becoming the first woman to do so, it could have easily been dubbed a coronation of sorts. While she’d be too gracious to ever admit it or subscribe to it Vashtie has become New York City’s quintessential “dreamer-doer”that has brilliantly crafted her life into a brand. The beauty of that brand is that it is untarnished by corporate jargon or catchphrases of the month. Its just her doing her thing with her people–making a living by living a life.

Her life looks a lot like she wrote all of the things she wanted to do in journal, then woke one day and did all of those things–checking them off one by one.  Always ahead of the curve. Never chasing. Perpetually doing her own thing, her own way.  From directing videos, to “curating” dance parties, the result is always artfully done with patrons that span from the young, restless downtown set to Jay-z.

Lets just take Jay. I’ve personally had him turn down hundreds of thousands of dollars to just show up somewhere, yet just the other night he was there to support Vash as he has done on many occasions.

While she’s no rapper she is surely starting to look as if she’s heir apparent to the kingdom that is New York City, at least the parts south of Houston St—for now…)

Congratulations Player.

Check the promo directed of course by King Vash…

A few Pics from the event:

Hit www.vashtie.com for more shots from the celebration… .

October 11, 2010 · Comments Off Continue Reading →