Do you agree that eliminating all danger can eliminate the upside, too? We find this to be especially true with naming brands. Sometimes the very best names are the hardest to sell to management, because they go big; they’re edgy, quirky or daring in some way.
Battle of the Brands: Rhinegeist vs. MadTree
We’re playing Battle of the Brands again! This time, we’re pitting two beloved Cincinnati micro-breweries against each other (although neither is particularly micro anymore): MadTree Brewing and Rhinegeist Brewery.
Better Way to Communicate
You already know that you need to learn as much as you can about your customers or consumers. Here’s another tidbit to look out for, courtesy of the brilliant William Leach and his powerful book Marketing To Mindstates.
Does This Name Suck? Not Really
Some brand names suck. Does the name “Sur La Table?” After all, no one can pronounce it. You might be surprised to hear what Rebeca concluded in this #tellthetruths video.
Why White Claw Is Better Than Zima
Why do we like the name “White Claw” so much? Why do we think it helped this light, alcoholic beverage avoid the sad fate of Zima? Check out this #tellthetruths video to see what we think about it.
Slutty Vegan: Our Take On Naughty Names
“Slutty” is a pretty shocking word. Definitely polarizing. So how can it be a good idea to put it into a brand’s name? Check out this #tellthetruths video about the name of “Slutty Vegan” restaurants to hear why we think this name is pretty awesome!
Does This Name Suck? Yes!
Some names really do suck, and Postmates is one of them. We hate to be harsh, but when your name doesn’t tell the story of your brand it’s a wasted asset. Check out this #tellthetruths video where Rebeca tells it like she thinks it is.
Future Artifacts
What does Branding have to do with Anthropology? Everything, we think! Check out this #tellthetruths video about how the outputs of a lot of our Branding efforts will be the fodder that future Anthropologists study to understand us (not to mention our tweets and TikTok videos!).
MBA
How to decide whether to get an MBA? Just as with any complex decision, such as whether to rename a brand, you have to look at the costs and benefits but also the sacrifices and trade-offs that are hidden costs. Is the gap between where your career (or your brand name) is versus where you want it to be greater than the total cost and sacrifice of making the change?
