denise lee yohn: brand as business bites™ / Archive for December, 2009

As 2009 draws to a close, I thought I’d take a quick look back at significant developments of the past year.  And what a year it’s been, hasn’t it?!

Last January, I don’t think any of us could have predicted how bad things would get (the economic downtown, collapse of the automotive industry, Adam Lambert’s American Music Awards performance – to name a few of the year’s downers) – nor what the bright spots would end up being (Twitter adoption, explosion of iPhone Apps, and Glee – some of my picks for highlights!)

(more…)

I’m fascinated by the recent flurry of activity of designer PCs.  Having worked at Sony during the early years of VAIO (perhaps the first fashionable PC line, launched with its distinctive violet color and sleek features and all), it’s pretty amazing to me to see how the category has developed. (more…)

“…Winter slumps are often the result of corner-cutting.” This diagnosis wasn’t offered to explain why so many businesses continue to struggle today – but it should have. The quote actually comes from a write-up in this past Sunday’s New York Times sports section about the Dallas Cowboys‘ 15-27 record in December over the past decade. (more…)

Once again I find myself writing a post triggered by a New York Times article on the mobile category.  Last Monday it was about the different strategies brands are taking with their mobile application offerings.  Today this post introduces some thoughts based on the piece, “AT&T Takes the Blame, Even for the iPhone’s Faults.” (more…)

Recently Ad Age published a list of what it considered to be “America’s Hottest Brands.”   The list featured 40 brands that are “setting the pace for innovation — and getting results – right now.”  Although their selection criteria wasn’t clear and I can’t say I agree with all of the choices, I did find some instructive insights in the write-up.  (more…)

Yesterday’s New York Times’ article, Apple’s Game Changer, Downloading Now, was a fascinating read.  I’m not knowledgeable enough about the technology behind mobile apps to evaluate the story as a representation of the programming and development challenges and opportunities of all the different companies.  But I found it a provocative report on the different brands’ strategies. (more…)

This week’s BusinessWeek features two stories back-to-back that together make an important point for all businesses trying to navigate today’s recessionary times. First is a piece on Target’s apparent move down market, “Look Who’s Stalking Wal-Mart.”  It outlines several moves by Target that seem to be taken from Wal-Mart’s playbook. Then there’s the article, “Why Old Navy May Still Be at Sea,” relaying the cheap-chic retailer’s struggles and successes over the past few years. (more…)