Brand Mix

Here's my roundup of recent noteworthy articles and posts. This week it's all about the world and other spherical bodies. (Any reference to the world or balls counts!):

1) Can One Facebook Status Change The World? Swampland
"No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, join us in posting this as your status for the rest of the day." As Michael Scherer says: "If you are not familiar with this phrase, you probably have not been checking your Facebook and Twitter accounts today: A victory for "electronic chain activism" or just annoying? Meanwhile, best variation on a theme comes from Anthony Shore who "thinks that no one should go hungry because they cannot afford white truffles, and no one should go broke because they crave its aromatic, heavenly flavor. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day."

2) The World's Happiest Cities: Forbes
Rio is #1 and since San Francisco is also on the list (#7), I'm prepared to overlook the all-too obvious methodological challenges. The study was conducted as part of the 2009 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index. As GfK's Simon Anholt admits: "Happiness is difficult to quantify" and this survey is more one of perception than reality.

3) Lonely Planet: Despite our inter-connectedness, we're now more alone than ever Newsweek
Facebook connects us but we're lonelier than ever. John T. Cacioppo, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago, compares connecting on a Web site to eating celery: "It feels good immediately, but it doesn't give you the same sustenance."

4) What happens when there are no more world records left? Marginal Revolution
There has to be a time when the last record will have been set. The 800 metres can't be run in 1 second, the javelin can't be thrown for five miles. I wonder which event will be the first to have its last record set?

5) Toss the Ball. Hit the Ball. Oops! Oops! The New York Times
The serve is the only part of the game where tennis players have complete control but, for some, it's the most difficult: “You can see it in their faces — it’s almost like their mind is freezing up and they just look like they’re not going to win this point.” The Russian women tennis players seem to be the ones most affected at the moment.

6) Flaming Red Tennis Ball Catapults Merchandise Sales U.S. Open: Bloomberg
If a brand is not a logo, does this imply that a logo has no value? No. As timely proof, Bloomberg reports that merchandise featuring the U.S Open's flaming ball logo now accounts for over 40% of the millions of dollars of sales at the event. The logo (shown in the photo at the top of this post) was created 12 years ago (in a pure coincidence(!)) by Landor.

That's it! Back soon with more stories from the world of brand strategy. More thoughts and comments also available on Twitter (@martinjbishop).