The new Bud Light campaign using the non-consumer term, “drinkability” is very interesting for several reasons. First, drinkability is a term used internally maybe by all beer companies (I have worked with Coors and Miller and it was used both places).  But everyone knows it is not a consumer word.  No consumer ever says, “This [...]

You can brand anything.  Over 50 years ago, the Butterball turkey was introduced, and for 40 of those years once it achieved broad geographical distribution, it has been the number one brand of turkey, even though it has been owned by different companies. Number one for 40 years.  No Thanksgiving should ever pass without brand-interested [...]

A restaurant in Chandler, Arizona, represents virtually every principle of Killer Branding.  Called the Heart Attack Grill, it features really good tasing food, that is absolutely bad for your arteries.  The alignment is awesome from the Single Bypass Burger (one patty) to the Quadruple Bypass burger (four patties).  Burgers don’t even have lettuce.  In fact, [...]

Can a woman’s handbag be a Killer Brand?  Of course.  Anything can become a Killer Brand.  The Chanel Bag, known as the 2-55 bag because it was first designed in February, 1955, is a true Killer Brand. It was built on the expecation that if you owned one and used it, you distinguished yourself as [...]

I am no fan of political advertising, and I am not taking sides, but today I was forwarded a link which represents one of the greatest examples of marketing mechanics I have ever seen.  The link was to a CNNBC (sic) video entitled, “Obama’s loss traced to Frank Lane.”  You clicked on the link and [...]

Good news is always welcome during a financial crunch.  Well, here is some good news. Metamucil’s new “pink lemonade” sugar-free bulk laxative is the best tasting medicine that you will have ever experienced.  It is so good that retailers are selling it at a premium to Metamucil’s other sku’s. Metamucil is already a dominant brand.  [...]

We have had numerous questions about our opinion on the new Microsoft advertising featuring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld.  Since we tend to strong opinions, I have always tried to remember the dictum that nothing is ever as good as it seems and nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Well readers, this advertising [...]

Clarins has introduced a new product for jet lag.  Finally someone addresses the insidious aging effects of flying.  But they have complicated this product with a lengthy, and to me, contradictory name. The product is called anti jet lag relief emergency booster.  I think “anti” jet lag and “relief” are contradictory.  Are they guarding against [...]

This is from one of our readers, Merry Harris. Thanks Merry. HEMA is a Dutch department store. The first store opened November 4, 1926, in Amsterdam . Now there are 150 stores all over the Netherlands . HEMA also has stores in Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany. In June of this year, HEMA was sold to [...]

Since the real estate market is in the pits, its a good time to look at someone who has actually adopted Killer Brand strategy in the housing market.  There is a builder in Atlanta ($250k to $1M+) who understands branding because he started his career as the Assistant Brand Manager on Minute Rice.  He went [...]