Brand Mix

Here's my weekly summary of interesting and entertaining posts and articles. More posts at the bottom of the page in "Martin's Shared Items":

1) Fun with brands: Dear Jane Sample
This post went "bubonic" this week. The Brand Timeline Portrait of one anonymous (and energetic) advertising agency Account Executive (via Fritinancy).

2) Don't be Evil - Unless It's Profitable: Branding Strategy Insider
Or, don't make yourself out to be something you're not when push comes to shove. British Airways and Google are called out as brand promise-violators.

3) Zappo's $1,000 offer: Brand Autopsy
Zappos, already everyone's favorite company because of its dramatically superior customer service, has scored more points with its "Quit Now" bonus for new employees. All new employees are offered $1,000 if decide to quit after the first week. Sort of the converse? obverse? one of those verses of hazing--with similar psychological benefits.

4) Great Product, Lousy Brand: The Origin of Brands Blog
Laura Ries talks about MBT shoes. She loves the product but hates the brand. Just one reason--MBT stands for Masai Barefoot Technology. I agree with her about the brand so it'll be interesting to see what happens to the business. If it does well it's going to take some fancy rationalization by we the branding community to explain why.

5) Biggest Drawing In The World: Erik Nordenankar
Erik Nordenankar has completed the biggest drawing in the world--a self portrait. Great creativity from him and great publicity for DHL (who were smart enough to sponsor this project) (via Adland).

UPDATE: NOW REVEALED AS A HOAX. THE DRAWING WAS NEVER COMPLETED AND DHL DIDN'T SPONSOR IT (JUST LET HIM FILM IN ONE OF THEIR WAREHOUSES)

Bonus for YouTube and geography fans: Pork and Beans YouTube hommage by Weezer