Branding Moment: Is This Brand too Bland Or Just Right?

We have always been of the opinion that one size fits one size. Each one of us is one size, Our method is to custom fit a brand to its function, to its market, and the individual, team or company. At that point, it resonates with its intended marketplace and communicates the message clearly. That is the criteria!

Our first impression in seeing the back of the truck (pictured above) was, what is being presented and who is Gavin Roy? Do we care to find out? If we were not in the branding business, we would not have noticed the truck or investigated it further.

It took a bit of maneuvering on the freeway, however, we managed to get a side shot that revealed the six part business as pictured above. The business seems to be focused on parties or large events. Where is the fun? Where is the phone number? 

 We applaud the script font for the initials. That offers a  hint of pizazz/fun.  

 What is your opinion is this brand bland or just right?  

Branding Moment: Not so Puritan Taboo Slogan near Hot Springs Rd!

Ron and I spotted this truck from Puritan Bakery with its slightly racy slogan of "Best Buns In Town". The word "puritan" means: one who practices or preaches a more rigorous or professedly purer moral code than that which prevails.  The slogan can be interpreted in so many ways. We leave that to your imagination. 

The juxtaposition of the truck with the exit of Hot Springs Road was a moment of synchronicity.  We were wondering if they were going to take the Hot Springs Exit to deliver best buns to the Von's grocery store there...They did not!

According the their website, which has an image of a man in a Puritan costume and slogan, this is the secret to what makes best buns:

Puritan Bakery is committed to baking our bunsand breads the old fashioned way -- the way you would if you were making bread from scratch at home. Because of this commitment, we still use a sponge and dough process, rather than the faster and cheaper brew dough, straight dough or modified sponge systems. The sponge and dough process takes 7 hours, but we believe that the best things are still worth waiting for.

This brand caught our attention and gave us a chuckle.  We will remember the name, no doubt about that.  The bakery started in 1930, and they are still going strong. The right market is still buying.Just like in Real Estate, there are many brands and markets for each one as long it lasts.

We would definitely mention them if someone asked us what kind of hamburger or hot dog buns to buy. Their baking method is impressive.

However, we are not their customer.  If we are going to indulge in bread of any kind, we would buy artisan bread made locally.  

Differentiation in Branding: Confused or “Corn fused”?

As a luxury real estate marketing professional or any real estate marketing professional, if you are seeking additional market share and visibility, it is important to give a complete picture of how you are different without any potential confusion to the buyers or sellers that may seek your services.  Here is an example of confusion, which turned into more confusion or “corn fused!”

Some of you many have seen the Bud Light commercial during the Super Bowl.  This was an attempt by Bud Light to differentiate themselves from their competitors, Miller Lite and Coors Lite by stating that they do not use corn syrup, whereas the competition does.  This was an attempt to claim their unique selling proposition, and transparency. A spokesman for Bud Light as quoted in Forbes: “Bud Light’s Super Bowl commercials were meant to point out a key difference in Bud Light from some other light beers. This effort is to provide consumers transparency. We’re proud of what we put into Bud Light and what we leave out like – corn syrup, preservatives and artificial flavors”. 

In response, Miller Lite explained in a full-page ad in the New York Times, that they are proud to use they use corn syrup, and not high fructose corn syrup.  This statement creates more confusion for the consumer. The bottom line is that both forms of corn syrup are sugar.  The reason folks drink light beers is because they are concerned about their health which includes an intake of calories, especially carbs.  Whether it is high fructose or corn syrup it usually produced from GMO corn, which is another health concern for many consumers.  

Even this light organic corn syrup (pictured above) has 31grams of carbs in two tablespoons, and 130 calories. The American Heart Association recommends that most women get no more than 100 calories a day of added sugar from any source, and that most men get no more than 150 calories a day of added sugar. That's about 6 teaspoons of added sugar for women and 9 teaspoons for men.

The Bud Light spokesman went on to say:” Some beers do use corn syrup and that’s fine. In fact, our value brands use corn syrup. We use corn syrup in these brands because it makes the beer less expensive to produce and is therefore offered at a more affordable price to consumers”.

That statement leaves us even more confused. As rare beer drinkers, we are confused or “corn fused”.  Next time, we will definitely ask: “does this beer have corn syrup?”  Will you ?

Branding Moments: Taboo Marketing!

We noticed this point of sale display while shopping at the Santa Barbara Nordstrom's recently.  We watched shoppers go by, look, shake their heads and move on.  Others laughed at the double meaning, and moved on. 

Taboo marketing can definitely bring a brand into focus by those they are hoping to attract.  It creates an instant effect!  It will no doubt attract some to buy!  

We have seen taboo styled real estate videos and other ads.  The only message it may send to the sellers of these properties is that their agents will go to any length to bring attention to their listings...

What is your take on this?

Luxury Real Estate Marketing Essentials: Blazing New Paths with Brand Originality

For luxury real estate marketing professionals understanding what makes you an original is one of the keys to a successful luxury real estate practice. If you want to be the standout in your marketplace originality, the quality of newness and the ability to depart from tradition or the norm, is a necessity.

When originality is accompanied by authenticity in your personal brand you have the ingredients to become an “overnight success” once you encounter the right opportunity. And, opportunities are plentiful if you believe in yourself.

Here is an example of the place where originality, authenticity and opportunity all came together and created a global personal brand overnight. The recent emergence of Susan Boyle, runner up contestant on the very popular British television show, Britain’s’ Got Talent, is a case in point. An ordinary Scottish housewife with a dream of singing Andrew Lloyd Weber songs like Elaine Page emerges as one of the crowd’s favorites and catches the attention of the world. On first impression, she does not resemble a Broadway star. However, she can sing like one. She is an original and she is authentic. These are the qualities that the populace at large can identify with and praise.

Often, as we are presenting the concept personal branding to real estate agents and show them our case studies, someone will make the quip, “ I will work with you if you can make me look like some of your clients who have movie star looks”. This is a telling remark, because people feel they have to be or look “a certain way”, in order to be a local celebrity.

We hope that the story of Susan Boyle ends that misconception. What a seller or buyer needs is a person that can do the job, someone they can identify with, someone original and authentic.

Check Out Personal Branding Case Studies

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