From the monthly archives: January 2009

can anything retailers do, manufacturers do better?

by denise lee yohn on January 30, 2009 · 3 Comments · in retail

In the ongoing war that wages between retailers and manufacturers, manufacturers often threaten to abandon (or at least de-emphasize) the existing channel and open their own direct business.  Liz Claiborne, the mid-tier womens fashion label,

the joy of cola

by denise lee yohn on January 27, 2009 · 1 Comments · in brand communication, brand tools, marketing

There’s been a lot of discussion about Pepsi’s new campaign – most of it negative — so I wanted to offer a different point of view.

wasted potential: facebook

by denise lee yohn on January 26, 2009 · 5 Comments · in brand delivery, brand disappointments, marketing

This is one in a series of posts about brands have failed to live up to their potential — from Jonathan Salem Baskin, author of Branding Only Works on Cattle, the “dim bulb” blog, and Ad Age/CMO Strategy column. 

everything you ever wanted to know about retail

by denise lee yohn on January 22, 2009 · 3 Comments · in best brands lists, brand delivery, brand value, retail

Last week, Interbrand Design Forum the retail arm of the global consultancy of the same name released The Most Valuable U.S. Retail Brands 2009 report and it is a must-read for anyone who wants insights into the retail sector.

wasted potential — a series on brand disappointments

by denise lee yohn on January 19, 2009 · 4 Comments · in brand delivery, brand disappointments, brand fun, brand perceptions

What do Lindsay Lohan, the universal remote, and the Bush administration have in common? They are all examples of things that could have been great but have ended up not living up to their potential.

get your brand ducks in a row

by denise lee yohn on January 18, 2009 · 1 Comments · in brand delivery, brand tools

I recently posted about how I see 2009 as a great time for brand-building.  I declared, “Rather than fretting over limited marketing budgets and skyrocketing media costs,

retail redefinition

by denise lee yohn on January 15, 2009 · 1 Comments · in marketing, retail

This past Sunday’s New York Times ran a piece about how museums, suffering from declines in both financial reserves and perceived relevance, are making some drastic changes

brands, generic-style

by denise lee yohn on January 14, 2009 · 4 Comments · in packaging

I’ve noticed something lately — name brand food packaged goods are changing their brand visual identities to what seems to me to be a more generic brand look. 

brand-building: yohn on ries

by denise lee yohn on January 12, 2009 · 2 Comments · in brand equity, brand extension

Last week’s Ad Age featured a column by brand luminary Al Ries that I just can’t let go without comment.  Ries’s main thesis is that brands must remain narrowly focused

losing more than a brand name

by denise lee yohn on January 8, 2009 · 4 Comments · in brand equity, brand extension, brand names, brand perceptions, brand portfolio

In dropping the Kinko’s name from its moniker, Fedex (formerly Fedex Kinko’s) may be losing more than 6 letters and an asterisk. The name change

no money, no problem

by denise lee yohn on January 5, 2009 · 3 Comments · in brand delivery

2009 is here — woo hoo!  Despite the doom and gloom that fills predictions for brands and businesses in the coming year, I’m actually quite optimistic about 2009′s prospects. Certainly past downturns