On the eve of a special Apple event, it seems the allure of the Apple brand is as strong as ever.  “We have something you really have to see. And touch,” declares the invitation to the March 7th media event.  Quite a buzz has been building up! I don’t know if tomorrow’s announcement will impress […]

brand-as-business bit:  SmartBlog on Restaurants just published a piece of mine, “So You Want to Try a New Concept?”  In it, I layout the considerations in designing a test that will ensure you get the most learning and value out of it – including: carefully evaluating your options before jumping to the most obvious selecting […]

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(Welcome to the latest “brand experience brief” — insights from my audits of new and interesting retail and restaurant concepts.) What:  ihop express test concept from the 1500-unit casual dining chain, IHOP targeted to “Millennials who don’t do breakfast,” the format is intended to give the younger target “an on-the-go option” since they don’t go […]

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My curiosity was piqued by the headline of a recent article comparing Siri, the personal assistant application on new iPhones, to Speaktoit, currently available on Android phones – but not because I wanted to understand the differences between the apps.  I was struck by how different the two names are – Siri:  short, cute, a […]

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Yogi Berra once lamented that, “The future ain’t what it used to be.”   Today companies have a related complaint:  “Brand loyalty ain’t what it used to be.” No longer can brands expect long-term loyalty, even from its most faithful customers.  As economic pressures mount, competitive landscapes shift, and life simply happens, it may seem pointless […]

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Last week David Ristau, the analyst who publishes daily stock recommendations in The Oxen Report, weighed in on the fast/casual dining industry with predictions for 10 fast/casual companies in the coming year. Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Domino’s were among the companies he analyzed based on growth, profitability, financial health, value, and management. […]

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There’s been a really provocative and passionate debate going on over at the Environmental Leader website about sustainability. It’s challenged me to think about brands, social capital, and sustainability in new ways and so I wanted to share some of my insights with you. It all started with a post by Guy Champniss, an independent […]

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John Costello gives a behind-the-scenes look at Dunkin’ Donuts in today’s podcast interview. In his post as Chief Global Customer and Marketing Officer for Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company to Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins, John oversees strategic worldwide marketing efforts and brand identity for the company which posted some excellent 2010 results last month. An […]

This week’s challenge for contestants in NBC’s reality show America’s Next Great Restaurant was to develop a slogan for their restaurant concept.  Here are my thoughts on the ideas they developed and what makes a great brand slogan in general: DLYohn America’s Next Great Restaurant 03.20.11 Episode 3 Recap from Denise Lee Yohn on Vimeo. […]