Comments for Frank Lane Ltd

Comment on How to Ruin a Brand by Dave B

Dave B — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:33:14 +0000

I found this article by Googling ‘Phipps Ruined’ because I shared the same sentiment. I have a couple of theories about what’s really happening –

Theory 1: Across 400 on Peachtree is a new shopping development touting high-end stores. I’m guessing that the managers of Phipps got a ‘heads up’ that their high-end tenants would be moving over en-masse.

Theory 2:

They looked at shopper demographics and discovered it was moms during the day and that they could increase ‘dwell time’ in the stores if junior was occupied for a few hours.

But you are right…in any case, it’s not a great shopping experience.

Comment on Interesting Comparison by Justin

Justin — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 20:28:35 +0000

Hi Frank,

I guess I assumed that was Betsey Johnson’s policy from day one, but I don’t actually know if that’s the case. It very well could be part of the going out of business process.

Comment on Interesting Comparison by Frank Lane

Frank Lane — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:33:48 +0000

Justin,

Always good to hear from you. IN THIS CASE, Betsey Johnson is admittedly going out of business, or kind of. Her stores are closing, so I sure the argument is that there can be no repeat customers.

However, it is my understanding that the Brand is going forward through a group of licensing agreements to be carried by other stores. Brand “good will” is worth a lot and will continue to be important.

Comment on Interesting Comparison by Justin

Justin — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:23:52 +0000

I’m always surprised to hear about companies that don’t realize that NOT protecting customers against this kind of thing penalizes them for buying now instead of waiting until the item goes on sale.

Is holding on to a couple of bucks really worth turning off a potential repeat-customer?

Comment on Banners and Billboards by Frank Lane

Frank Lane — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:39:44 +0000

Thanks

Comment on Banners and Billboards by Justin

Justin — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:37:02 +0000

I’m sure knowing him was quite a pleasure.

I remember reading this in his autobiography:

“I have a passion for landscape, and I have never seen one improved by a billboard. Where every prospect pleases, man is at his vilest when he erects a billboard. When I retire from Madison Avenue, I am going to start a secret society of masked vigilantes who will travel around the world on silent motor bikes, chopping down posters at the dark of the moon. How many juries will convict us when we are caught in these acts of beneficent citizenship?”

Comment on Banners and Billboards by Frank Lane

Frank Lane — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:43:36 +0000

Actually some of the revolving outdoor billboards revolve too fast for me to read also.

Justin, I had the pleasure of knowing David Olgilvy and I do not remember his comment on billboards.

Comment on Banners and Billboards by Justin

Justin — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 14:37:31 +0000

We should heed David Ogilvy’s advice and do away with billboards all together – at least on highways.

Comment on How to Ruin a Brand by Frank Lane

Frank Lane — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:24:55 +0000

Attracting customers to the mall that will never buy in your stores is helping no one and hurting many.

Far better to work on marketing programs that will draw the target users for your stores into the mall, no matter the cost, than to drive them out.

Comment on How to Ruin a Brand by Justin

Justin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:32:36 +0000

I wonder if that quiet haven has been a little “quieter” over the past few years. I know some high end shopping centers around Boston that have been ghost towns due to the economic downturn. Could it be that the owners are abandoning ship in favor of something potentially more profitable or stable? I can’t imagine anyone thinking Lego Land and Barneys could coexist, much less compliment each other.

Whatever the case, a good brand is ruined. How do you decide whether to jump ship or ride out the storm when major, unexpected factors threaten your brand (e.g. recession, oil spill, PR mess, etc.)?