Get on the Brand Wagon

Can you believe some people out there have the audacity to say, “Branding doesn’t matter”?
I know, right? Pure heresy! But rather than flipping our collective lids, let’s have some fun and settle this debate with a little quiz, shall we Brand Wagon riders?

Are you ready for… Name That Brand? 🎉

1. Life will never be the same.
   HINT: This is the theme song to his “main event.” Yes, I do consider him “my guru,” and you’re welcome—now you’re jumping around listening to this song! IYKYK 💪🎤
2. Venti.
   HINT: I don’t even drink this, but this brand redefined the beverage industry. (Those kale and mushroom egg bites? Pretty money, though!) Have you heard they just got a new CEO from Chipotle because, well, profits are not ...boiling hot. 🍵
3. Sleep Soundscapes.
   HINT: This one might be more obscure unless you’re like me and hooked on THE.BEST.MEDITATION.app (IMO). 🧘‍♀️
4. Tequila.
   HINT: George Clooney + spicy palomas = need I say more? 🍹
5. Two all-beef patties. Special sauce. Lettuce. Cheese. Pickles. Onions. On a sesame seed bun.
   HINT: Do I even need to give a hint? Are you singing the jingle now? Side note: I was the drive-thru queen throughout high school and college, just sayin’... 🍔🎶
6. You’ve been ducked.
   HINT: It's a fun subculture promoting just be nice—but you have gotta get the “wave” down. It’s a peace sign or an arm out the door, especially if the doors are off. 🦆✌️
7. 
   HINT: You don’t have to listen to them, but are you living in a cave if you can’t name these bands? 🎸

BONUS QUESTION: Caused a major global outage in mid-July.
HINT: One you might not have heard of previously if you’re not in/around cybersecurity;
the other, you use their software likely daily – both personally and professionally.
Not how you want your brand to be featured on the world stage, but it’s all in how you handle it.

 So, what do these brand nay-sayers believe matters if not the brand? Content. 📝 They’re WRITE (see what I did there? 😏), but I submit that content is integral to brand identity.

And circling back to a message conveyed eons ago by yours truly: a brand guide, while a living document, helps minimize market confusion and those oh-so-fun opinion debates. So, my top tip here: get your brand guide documented and signed off by the powers that be! Remember to include your BoDoA...you know, your Brand Board of Directors of Awesomeness 😀

Still think branding doesn’t matter?

Go ahead, challenge me below with your comments. 💬

Plus, I want to see your quiz answers below. 👇

Memorial Day Weekend is here, and it's time to hit the roads, fire up the grills, and dive into some summertime fun.

But hold your horses... 🐴

Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember the brave people who sacrificed their lives in military service. It should not be treated as just another marketing opportunity. While some brands strike the right balance, others come across as tone-deaf or opportunistic. Let’s dive into appropriate and inappropriate ways for brands to engage during Memorial Day.

“You’re Going The Wrong Way” When You Exploit Memorial Day for Sales 🛑

An example of what not to do is launching a "Memorial Day Mega Sale" with flashy advertisements proclaiming: "Celebrate Memorial Day with Huge Discounts!" This is problematic for several reasons:

1. Disrespectful Tone: Using celebratory language like "Celebrate Memorial Day" can come off as insensitive, as the day is meant to honor fallen heroes, not promote festivities or sales. 🎉❌
2. Commercialization of Sacrifice: Leveraging the solemnity of Memorial Day to drive sales trivializes the sacrifices made by military personnel. It’s a crass attempt to capitalize on a day of remembrance. 💸🛍️
3. Customer Alienation: Such tactics can alienate customers who feel a deep personal connection to Memorial Day, potentially leading to backlash and damaging the brand’s reputation. 😡👎

NOTE: Comment below if you get the "you're going the wrong way" reference. 😉

It’s A-OK to Honor the Day with Respect and Purpose 🌟

Conversely, consider a brand that honors Memorial Day respectfully and purposefully. For example, a company might share a message on social media stating, "This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives for our country. Our thoughts are with their families." Additionally, the brand might:

1. Support Veteran Organizations: Partner with or donate a portion of their proceeds to veteran organizations or charities that support military families and veterans. This shows a genuine commitment to the cause. 🤝🎗️
   —BUT— not just a one-and-done action; #CauseMarketing must be authentic and aligned with your brand values.
2. Highlight Stories of Service: Share stories and profiles of fallen heroes, allowing their bravery and sacrifices to be remembered and celebrated appropriately. 📜🕊️ It’s OK, too, if those stories are your employees or clients.
3. Offer Resources and Support: Provide resources or support to veterans and their families, whether through discounts on services relevant to them or by hosting events that honor their contributions. 🏡❤️

Strike the Right Balance ⚖️

When it comes to Memorial Day, here are a few guidelines to ensure your brand’s actions are appropriate:

• Be Genuine: Any message or campaign should come from a place of genuine respect and gratitude. 💖🙏
• Avoid Sales Pitches: Refrain from using Memorial Day solely as a marketing ploy to boost sales. 🛑📢
• Engage With Purpose: If you engage with Memorial Day, do so in a way that adds value and shows support for veterans and their families. 🛠️💬

…AND in conclusion… 🎤

By appropriately honoring Memorial Day (Monday, May 27th ), #brands can demonstrate their commitment to values that resonate deeply with many Americans. 🌺🗽