As you walk down Kensington market and Chinatown, have you ever looked up and see a green ear sign that says "murmur" on it? and ever wonder what it is?
[murmur] is project that started in kensington Toronto, its collects personal and histories stories of particular neighborhoods and tells their story in the form of telephone. Basically when someone reached a designated location where one can see a [murmur] sign, and anyone can call the number listed on the sign and listen to the story associated with that place.
In a city where everyone is so caught up doing their own thing, its nice to see people are making an effort to perseve our culture and history... so next time if you walk down spadina take a few second to call [murmur] and you might get inspired!
[[[murmur]]] on your phone
boom chicka Wah Wah
Many have seen this comercial and have enjoyed our share of laughter with the ones around us. Some of us even start to mimic the "tune" as a daily joke. But if you think deeper into the AXE campaign and ther series of commercials of it, it seems to have a racial undertone that everyone is blinded by its light humour.
The commercial above is the first of many of the "boom chicka wah wah" campaign showing an african american women being attracted by a younger male using the AXE product in a supermarket which results in flirtous dance and tune.
A second commercial of the campiagn starts off with a school teacher teaching a class simple english to a class in a third world country (most students in the class are old and of African Descent). A few seconds later in the commercial, a gentleman walks into the room and the teacher does the same "boom chicka wah wah" phrase, and an African women and man continues on the phrase, but making it sounds like normal speach.
To me, this campaign seems to make a certain race or culture appear Primintive and non educated in an Eurocentric view point.
Or am I just thinking too much.
University of NewCastle Rebrand
While doing some "reseach" i came a cross this logo update, for the University of Newastle. The development of the new identity is described in the website as well as the whole Marketing and branding process : http://www.newcastle.edu.au/mpr . What struck me was the radical/diferent way of solving the problem of the logo. I believe that even though there a lot of history, it is still resembled in the shield. I liked how the integrity of the tradition was kept giving it a new, contemporary look. Also i think we could learn something from them, remembering the heated discussions about renaming and rebranding OCAD. We could keep the tradition, but we shouldnt be afraid of change, specially in a UNIVERSITY of design and creativity.
The Specialness of the Non-Brands
I started drinking coffee only recently. I have little knowledge when it comes to blends, and even less when it comes to coffee-specific terminology. The first cup I grabbed was from a 24-hour donut shop; a real Ma & Pa establishment. I ordered a small coffee with two cream and two sugar. What was handed to me was a small coffee with two cream and two sugar. Just beautiful.
I've attempted to recreate the experience at a few other coffee houses but to no avail. Yes, I eventually end up with my small coffee, but only after some confusion. Coffee houses specialize and simply asking for 'coffee with cream and sugar' is not specific enough (I ended up with Americana, but I don't know what that means. I didn't care for it much).
This got me thinking. The small Ma & Pa type shops that litter the city are essentially without strong brands. There is very little distinction between one Ma & Pa shop and the next, and what they have in common is a similar brand experience. When shopping at Ma & Pa shops, I have certain expectations: lower prices, drab interior, salt of the earth customers, elderly folks, and owners who are either really happy or extremely upset (whichever the mood, it's always genuine).
I expect certain things from Ma & Pa shops, and very rarely do I find they not deliver. It's an odd thing that the group of least branded organizations have left the strongest impression.
Not good enough for BR bags
A recent trip to mall led me to look around the Banana Republic for guys to see if there was any items that caught my eye. Having recently worked at a Gap over the summer, I was familiar with the brand and found they did indeed seem to have better quality clothes. I purchased 2 shirts, and was happy with both products upon trying them on and taking them home. My issue came with the bag given to me at checkout. It was BR's sale event, and being the cheapskate that I am, I probably wouldn't have paid for the items at full price (only a 10% discount though I'm just fussy). Instead of getting a nice clean white and black BR bag with the tissue paper sticking out, I was handed a paper bag with a huge SALE sign on it. While this is smart from a marketing standpoint, for other consumers in the mall to recognize the bag and possibly learn that there is a sale at BR now, I couldn't help but feel inferior to my regular priced shopping peers. Further more, the sale bag looks nothing like the regular BR bag, completely throwing the brand consistency off.
What's made them different?
There are always new cell phones in the market. And there are always have compition between the similiar objects. The picture on top is LG Shine, the picture in the bottom is Samsung E840. Both phone's selling point is mirror display. With comparing the functions, Samsung E840 has better reception than Shine. However, due to the choice of materials, the price makes a big different. Shine is made by metal therefore is selling for $400, E840 is made out of plastic is selling for $300. $100 is big number different for a cell phone but still people are buying something with less functional with a more expersiveproce ! As a slaesperson, I find that Shine is more popular then E840. May be this is the changelle for designers to concern their production more deeper. Not just the function and outlook, but small detail as material- it makes a big different in marking!
"ICE" cream
I believe that there won’t be many people notice that there is much difference between these two logos when they buying ice cream. I didn’t pay much attention on the little details of these logos until I got the same ice creams but with these different logos. (Weird :S) apart from the ice cream, I do have different feelings of their looks when I look at them. The snowflake represents the ice and snow in white colour, which create a feeling of chilly. That is more impressive than the one only with letters of “ice cream”.As we know, the brain recognizes and remembers shapes first. Visual images can be remembered and recognized directly, while words have to be decoded into meaning. Also the brain takes more time to interpret language of the content. However, in compare with these two logos, the snowflake is much more effective to trigger an emotion and evoke a product association rather than the letters, which only says what it is.
"Lucky You"
Lucky Brand Jeans is a denim company from California, founded in 1990. Fairly recent brand and I was wondering as I pass by the store, what makes this pair of jeans so lucky? Denim is the major selling point of the company, making up about 60% of business. Lucky Brand Jeans have two four-leaf clovers and the phrase "LUCKY YOU" stitched into the fly of every pair of men's and women's jeans. A signature sense of humor, Lucky Brand Jeans established their brand character upon it. I really like the idea of putting 'touch' to their prodcuts - It's all about branding and that's what distinguishes them from the others.
Apple... the MEGA brand.
A good brand will have some obvious consistency in its look and in the projected feel of the brand. An excellent brand, on the other hand, will have a consistent feel through ALL points of communication between it, the brand, and us, the end user. Enter: Apple.
Not only am I a huge fan of Apple because all of their products are so "cute", but I am a fan of Apple because at every level of communication they truly embody what I *think* it means to BE Apple. When you enter the store there's young, hip people there to serve you, NO ONE calls you by your last name when you call in with a problem, and they make no apologies when a product of theirs is faulty, but rather make all efforts to resolve the issue ASAP. Apple is no-nonsense, clean, smart, young... and, of course, cute.
Louis Vuitton
Now days there are some "must have" items for women which are cell phone, digital camera, mp3 player and Louis Vuitton !!
As we know Louis Vuitton is one of the world's most famous makers of luxury consumer goods with products that include travel books, perfume, distilled spirits and designer clothing, I believe a lot of people have attracted by their products. Especially their sexy advertisement always makes people to want to buy the goods by exciting their desire. However how many of them are actually fascinated by the design? I assume they are just blindly follow the logo instead of its tradition, value, or craftsman spirit. They might think they held a prominent position.
There is a funny nick name behind of LV Speedy which is “10 second bag” because you can easily see in anywhere and anytime, even though some of them are imitations people still are full of pride and satisfaction. This is Louis Vuitton’s strongest branding effect.
I just don’t get you, Solo Mobile
When I saw the crying bobby on the poster in the subway station the first time I was like, “It must be a new series of British drama on TV.” I have to admit that the poster does draw my attention because the crying bobby face is really distracting. However, it just draws my attention to look at but not to try to interpret or read the text on it because I was almost sure it was just another TV drama poster. Until one time when I was very bored in the subway station I actually read all the text on every poster and realized that it is actually an advertisement for Solo Mobile. First of all, I really don’t see any point in this poster. A British policeman and a Dutch lady crying for not having Canada’s most affordable rate mobile service because they are not in Canada? If it says Solo Mobile has the most affordable rate in the world it would make sense. I think it is smart that they don’t use Hong Kong people (or any Asian) for this ad, because the lowest mobile service rate in Hong Kong is much cheaper than the rate Solo Mobile has offered. Moreover, I think this ad is too exaggerated for a mobile network company. Stability and dependability are major concerns beside rates in the mobile industry. Ads with over- exaggerated ideas might make people think their service is unreliable. In this case, I think Fido had a good idea in choosing Dog as their spokesanimal. Solo Mobile, time to change your ads.
Nike Vintage
Nike just came up with a new line of shoes that are fabricated to look exactly the same as Nike waffle-foam running shoes from 1977. The shoes look 30 years old - fresh out of the box. "And it's all there, almost to the stitch. 1970-s grade nylon. Weird Swooshes. Aged laces. Weathered foam. And, of course, those iconic color combos."
It's interesting to see that Nike has completely abandoned the "high performance footwear" strategy to sell these and turned to the nostalgic sentiments of vintage lovers. I think that it totally works solely due to the fact that their logo has not changed for ages. Even those who weren't alive in the 70s recognize these as Nikes because the same old swoosh is everywhere even today. The memorable swoosh allows Nike to target its old customers and the newly acquired Nike lovers who seek the original styles. Just another example of how Nike's clever decision to not redesign their logo came to their advantage.
Hot clothes for a cold city
The other day I passed by the Abercrombie and Fitch store, I've honestly never looked in or had the thought of EVER pass through my mind, but I was curious as to why a half naked man/boy was a greeter. Using sex on a whole new level to sell products to younger and younger men and women, the brand itself has chosen a reputation to whore most of the younger generation in order to sell "hip clothes".
I believe the brand use to hold more of an American Eagle image to it's name, however, in the past few years the brands has transformed itself into a more sexually driven clothing brand, with half naked buff men, holding sweaty women. To me the whole logo itself drives me back to mainly the half naked possibly bisexual man, wanting the attention of whoever is willing to give it. At least, at least in my opinion, is more a sexually diverse brand.
The Infamous Coffee
I conducted a little experiment last week with Starbucks and Second Cup. Allow me to explain. The lovely patio coffee shops are located diagonally from each other at Queen St. West and John. This five-minute walk from OCAD is a common place for flocking students. Being a huge fan of coffee, I decided to see the reaction of my peers and perfect strangers depending on the coffee cup I held in my hands for those days. For example, I would alternate days having either Starbucks or Second Cup coffee. Both are similarly priced, S.C being a little less expensive. The cups are obviously different, and to my surprise others responded to that. I would get more attention as a customer in retail stores, on the street, and on the subway if I had a Starbucks cup. On the contrary, people didn’t care less what I was holding when it was S.C. The looks, the attitude, and the gestures all were apparently different depending on the coffee. Has anyone noticed the same thing? What does that say about the coffee branding empires?
A little humour for you all.
Here's a joke that I feel is actually relevant for this blog as it pertains to designers, advertisers and branders alike. You may have heard it before. I feel like it is a fairly accurate portrayal of the differences between the four fields.
Anorexia Campaign to run during Fashion Week in Milan
The Nolita anti-anorexia ad campaign has been planned to coincide with Milan's fashion week. In 1992, photographer Oliviero Toscani caused controversy around the world with his pictures of a man dying of AIDS. This image was part of a Benetton campaign. Now he has struck again with an image of Isabelle Caro from France. She is 27 years old and has been suffering from the anorexia for over 15 years. Italy's ministry of health fully supports the campaign as they wish to "promote responsibility towards the problem of anorexia." (Health Minister Livia Turco). Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana also praised the ad. They are glad that finally the disease is being shown as a psychiatric problem and not just the influence of fashion.
Many who study the disease and work with people suffering from anerexia feel that the ad could do more harm than good in some cases. They feel it is too crude and may even evoke envy in the eyes of other anerexic women who might strive to lose even more wieght. The problem of anorexia in the fashion industry has been in the spotlight since a 21-year-old Brazilian model died from the eating disorder in 2006. Girls that were considered too thin were not allowed to work on the catwalk during Madrid fashion week. Now in Milan models must carry medical certificates to prove that they are not suffering from the disease.
Though it cannot be denied that the fashion industry has a lot to do with the increasing problem of anerexia running the campaign right during fashion week does seem to point fingers. There are a lot of mixed feelings about the ad campaign and the crudeness of the image. The disease is an awful one and it affects many men and women but there is a chance that this campaign could create more gasping than awareness. In the end they've gotten everyone's attention, which essentially is the desired result.
Honestly, how is this real?
This video was sent to me by my cousin who was stunned to find that it is a real product, as was I. Before taking a look at this video please brace yourself because it is quite appalling and perhaps offensive to some people. The product is called vulva, vaginal scent and was created in Germany. It is for men to apply to the back of their hand and is to have a similar affect to Viagra. It comes in a small vial, can be ordered online and is to enhance erotic male fantasies. It baffles me to think that someone actually took the time to create this product. However, despite this messed up, insane invention and the fact that it actually exists, I think the branding is very well done. It is well designed, consistent and clever once you look past the lunacy and purpose of the actual product.
FedEx Logo
Started in 1913.......
FedEx is shipping company known globally and has
made a reputation for itself especially in North America
You may have realized in the logo that the "Ex" in FedEx
comes in different colours. They actually have meaning:
The Original orange is express, Green is Ground, Majenta is
Freight, and others as well (these are more commonly seen)
I don't know if you guys have noticed, but several years ago,
one of my design teachers pointed out that there is an Arrow
pointing right incorporated in the logo. Ever since that,
everytime I see a FedEx Logo, I look for the arrow
as if I was confirming if the arrow was still there :S. It's wierd,
but I think the design of the logo is very smart and simple.
Benetton, what?
This 2003 Food for Life campaign was co-developed by United Colors of Benetton and the United Nations World Food Program to support the fight against global hunger, the world’s most consequential hurdle.
Established in 1965, Benetton is now located in 120 countries around the world. Its aim to build value to their brand lies within their worldwide, controversial advertisements. Their goal to create a uniqueness that sets them apart from the pack has been successful. Luciano Benetton’s theory that “communication should never be commissioned from outside the company, but conceived within its heart” drives their branding campaign. They have contributed to society not only with their branding strategies, but also with the Leleque Museum in Patagonia and the Pivano Library. The goal of the United Colors of Benetton logo was to create an international style with colour, practicality and energy, which contrasts with their intense imagery.
I find them genuine in their fight for humanity and our future. Not to say that Benetton isn’t out to make money- because he is- but he’s being proactive while he’s doing it. Is it all a scheme to get people’s money? Maybe. But so what? It’s creating awareness in a dynamic way that gets people’s attention. Furthermore, their advertisements, for the most part, aren’t given to you, you have to think about the meaning and interpret it. Their imagery is also often harsh and may be difficult to look at, but that’s just another way of being remembered. Both are key tactics in the design world. Well done. Check them out http://www.benetton.com/html/index.shtml
Revitalization of The Gap
Over the past 10 or 15 years The Gap has gained large notoriety as being a staple brand in North American closets. They had some bad publicity because of the use of sweatshops and newer and cheaper competitors that have lead to a slump in sales over the years. To regain their pervious status they have tried to come up with business plans to help rebrand and revitalize their company. The first move was to use Sarah Jessica Parker as their celebrity endorser, at the height of her and Sex and the City’s popularity. However that did not work as well as they had hoped. Now they have gone on a different route and decided to embark on a ‘system-wide store makeover’ in hopes of becoming ‘more like the neighbourhood Starbucks’. This includes the use of dark wood floors (replacing their old beige ones), new lighting arrangements, and comfy couches for customers to relax and hang out and handwritten chalkboards in all Gap stores to give each store an individualized and personalized touch. So instead of coming up with new branding techniques to suit their brand and its individual needs they have decided to use the business strategy of another well known and highly successful brand as a role model, as their own in the past have not been as successful, in hopes it will work out for them too.
Halo 3 ????
Ti(RED)
Product (RED)!
This brand identity was so effective with establishing itself that it ended up out-shining its cause. The (RED) concern is AIDS in Africa and for everything (RED) item you buy "some" of the profit will be used to distribute a anti-retroviral medicine to an AIDS infectee in Africa. Great cause, but it seems that (RED) has become more on a fashion statement and infatuation with the connotations that wearing the clothing gives off. Don't get me wrong, I'm positive that there are people out there wearing the clothes or use the products for all the right reasons, I'm just suggesting that on a general level the image and brand of (RED) products have superseded the cause. Even on the website (shown above) the products come before the manifesto.
But what are the right reasons to buy in to Product (RED)? Well, the AIDS cause is an obvious one, but does it all balance out in the end? GAP — currently pumping out lots of (RED) clothing — has, in the recent past, has sweat shop issues and other (RED) Contributor, Converse, has just moved some of their factories into Indonesia. Seems like these companies are just utilizing the (RED) identity to make some cash ... and it's working.
Shopping can't save the world but this brand identity is so strong its convincing the world it can.
New Concept Store = New Morals?
When companies choose to renovate their retail stores, they often want to re-introduce themselves to the clients, as something else. With new morals, a more refined look, altered prices, anything that will make consumers stop by just to see whets changed.
When Roots Canada decided to revamp their store located in the Promenade Mall, Bathurst just north of Steeles, and then covered the entrance with a poster stating that they will be reopening as Roots' New Concept Store. Roots, which is a Canadian founded company, has an interesting set of morals.
About 3 years ago, they began outsourcing the production of their merchandise to countries with lower minimum wages, and different ethical standards. However the clothes prices did not get reduced now that the clothes were being produced at a cheaper cost to the company, in fact their increase over the last few years.
Right now, the BIG trend in corporations is to be GREEN, and while Roots has had their foot in the door with that cause early, due to their already outdoor friendly, and nature loving messages, they decided to go all out when remodeling their new store. Some of the new features of the store that were designed with the environment in mind, were having all the shelves be made from bamboo, introducing a new computer system that saves paper when printing receipts, and a layout of the store while allows for a communication board, and real, self watering plant wall.
" It was renovated in an environmental manner in terms of recycling existing elements and using eco-friendly materials like bamboo, recovered wood fiber, water-based glues, and paint with no volatile compounds. The store features a green ‘living wall’ that enhances the quality of the air and a reverse osmosis system for healthy drinking water for customers and staff." (the Roots Website)
Roots Promenade was the second store to get this drastic make over in this company, yet I am somewhat excited to see which other companies decided to create a new concept store and which of their morals might change.
Thai in the sky!
Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane? No, it’s Thai in the Sky! This is a newly redesigned Corporate Identity (CI) or logo of Thai airline. The design appears on the ticket booth, direction signs, posters, and even on the uniforms of staff of Thai airline. It would be the most recognizable design in the Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand. Being in the airport can be a very confusing and frustrating experience, however, this logo has a sense of comfort and peace. I would always be able to find my way, just by looking for this logo.
The graphics really catches my attention. Purple is chosen as the main colour. The graduation of colour matches well with red patterns and it reflects the mysterious and fantastic images of Thailand. At the same time it shows dignity and nobility, which reflects the attitudes and beliefs of the Thailanese people. The uniqueness of the colour system works very well through the use of various coloured designs. The direction sign, which is applied to both sides of the booth, provides clear information required to aid and assist travelers. This is the most effective, iconic and symbolic design of a CI or logo! In comparison to other simple global airline designs, it is the most attractive graphic!!
Remember, it is Thai in the Sky!
Honda Drives 'Beyond the Road'
Auto advertising seems to be aimed at one of two groups: baby boomers trying to recapture their youth or "Gen Y," the twenty-somethings. Honda has decided to split the difference and target Generation X to boost sales of their new Accord. Advertising Age reports Honda wants to lower the median age of Accord buyers from its current 54 (which is about the same as it is for all mid-size car buyers) to somewhere between 30 and 44-years.
But why this demographic? This is the audience that is most open to influence, these consumers are moving up in their careers, starting families and buying homes and are characterized as media-savvy, fun and self-reliant. Honda was equally mindful of taking a close look at the lives of people and designed the Accord around their lives.
However, Gen X buyers aren't as "inspired" to own a Honda because they perceive the brand's current products to be old fashioned or dull. So Honda's largest ad campaign spent on a single model will tempt Gen X buyers with ads embodying a more "emotional appeal."
The car company will communicate that driving a Honda Accord is "cool." This will be achieved by promoting the refreshed 2008 Accord through unconventional media like the Internet and through videos on MTV.
It will be interesting to see the result of Honda’s new campaign because the sales goal for the 2008 Accord is expected to exceed 400,000 units.
iCoke.ca
"This is where you can get stuff just for drinking Coke!"
This has been around for a while but I think it needed a bit more investigation and clarification for all those who don't know what it's really about--cause I wasn't too sure myself.
So I get a coke, I drink the coke, and then look under the cap to find a pin number. Unlike the old ways of getting stuff for free when you simply had to present the winning cap to the store, in this case you have to log onto a website (iCoke.ca). At first it seems alright, I mean, we are in the age of technology, the internet and all that virtual garbage. Once I get to this website, I find out that it has nothing to do with winning stuff but instead about collecting coke "coins". You have to sign up before you even find out how many coins you've received. For experimental purposes, I signed up with a fake e-mail and fake name (asdfasdf).
"Sign up now. It's easy and totally worth it. Remember to say you wanna be a VIP! Only VIPs get e-mails telling them about contests, FREE stuff and new content before anyone else! Be in the know."
In other words, Coke's talk of VIP and FREE is just a way to trick you into allowing them to bombard your e-mail account with advertisements and spam (possibly even by mail and telephone).
After signing up, I was given 500 coins. It would cost me 7500 coins (15 cokes) for a cellphone skin sticker. In other words, you're spending all this time registering, getting spammed by coke, and drinking coke just to get a sticker that is useless and wasteful. After doing the math, I'd be better off drinking something cheap and buying the actual items myself. It's all too ridiculous. For those who do sign up to these things, I hope you realize you're losing your soul. I just don't know what else to say. Last point--something that took seconds in the day of looking under the cap for a winner now takes weeks and months of drinking and collecting coins. If progress is about making things more effecient and easier for us, Coke is laughing in our faces (well at least those who are signing up in belief of this garbage).
More Annoying than the Spence Diamonds Radio Guy
Head On, apply directly to the forehead. Head On, apply directly to the forehead. Head On, apply directly to the forehead.
Now I've got a headACHE.
The Spence Diamonds radio guy definitely has some stiff competition when it comes to the contest of which ad is most annoying.
If some of you have absolutely no clue what I am talking about, take a painful look. I apologize in advance if your eyes and ears begin to simultaneously bleed.
Now, you might be asking youself why I would waste my time writing about such a shiteous commercial but here is the golden reason...
I recently read an article on AdAge.com about the product entitled, "This ad will give you a headache but it sells."
Sales shot up 234% between 2005 and 2006 and are doubling in the first half of 2007.
I fail to recognize or understand how this repetitive blasphemy to creative people everywhere has achieved such astronomical sales in only one year.
If someone has the answer out there, anyone, please help me.
http://adage.com/article?article_id=120636
Nano²
The new iPod Nano's been around for a little while now and only recently they've been released. For those who haven't noticed, the iPod Nano's have had their makeover among other Apple products such as the iMac and other iPods. The main difference I want to point out is the shape. From slim to square? And videos now? I can imagine it be difficult to juggle portability and function but it must take sharp eyesight to view a movie on that. The Nano still fits in your hand but must be difficult to grasp with the larger width. Did Apple really intend for the nano to put on weight? I would've imagined that the nano have the same interface as the iPhone: to function like the previous nano (with taller screen), but also have to ability to turn on its side to view widescreen videos. The wheel should function exactly the same as well. I'm not so sure about purchasing this generation right now, unless you can really convince me to do so.
tna
So today, I got dragged to the mall by my girlfriend to shop for a “school bag” at Aritzia. I don’t know much about the store but from what I know it’s a store that carries the fashion label “TNA”. A brand that I’m sure many has heard or seen before.
It made me recall past experiences that I had with the brand. The reason why I... and I’m sure many other guys believe TNA’s brand is successful is because TNA pants makes all girls who wear them look hot! This is mainly because of the stitching and lining within the pants that I believe gives the illusion. But aside from this “hotness” I believe their logo is well designed and cleverly positioned. God bless TNA pants!
Trendy
American Apparel and its brand character has always been about cheap clothing that is comfortable. There has been a recent change in the character, as it is now targeted towards the trendy. Even the store is displayed in such a way that pulls away from its origin. They are now charging more expensive prices for new products, such as jeans, hoodies, and other items, which now promotes their brand as totally different then before. I feel that who ever wears the brand believes themselves to be very modern or stylized, which can be true, but not necessarily good. Overall, the brand has moved from comfort to style.
Loreal Paris Men's Skin Care
Loreal Paris has recently released their first range of skin care specifically for men, encompassing cleansers, shaving creams and moisturizers. The company, which has always catered to a female demographic, has finally realized what a huge growing market there is in men's skin care and personal appearance enhancers. It is the age of the metrosexual after all, and the influence of gay culture is extending it's reach into every facet of the male aesthetic market. They have created unique products for men within various age ranges, from youth to mature ages, and their packaging designs are sleek, modern and masculine.
Furthering the reach and marketability of their brand, Loreal has enlisted the help of Kyan, of Queer Eye of the Straight Guy fame, to offer Q and A video responses on men's skin care on their website. The site also features portraits of different men with different skin issues, a self analysis, and an exhaustive list of common complexion ailments among men of any pedigree. The product oozes quality, and it seems to provide a "personalized" skin care regime to the consumer, as any one of us guys can fit into one of the subclasses of skin type outlined on the site. The line is available at Shopper's Drug Mart.
Note of interest: If I was to follow the regime made especially for me, I would need all of the following products...
1. Power Clean - Anti Dullness Face Wash
2. Power Buff - Anti Roughness Exfoliator (1 -3x's weekly, after cleansing)
3. Comfort Max After Shave Balm - With SPF 15
4. Oil Controller - Anti Oiliness Moisturizer
Thats assuming I dont want the Dark Circle Remover for under my eyes. I dont need that....do I???
Sensory Branding
I was reading excerpts from a book called Emotional Branding by Marc Gobé, which talked about how senses are an integral part of branding. A good example of this in practice is evident in today’s retail stores like American Eagle, Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister. These stores in particular provide customers a shopping experience beyond purchasing clothes. They provide sensory branding through smell; stores are heavily scented with their own line of perfumes/cologne, which gives customers a distinct smell to remember everytime they enter inside - it is known that the sense of smell is the most sensitive towards immediate recognition. Another type of sensory branding is through sound: most retail stores play music to pump up emotion increasing mood and purchases. American Eagle for example, plays specific music geared toward their brand's target audience. When their lingere brand 'Aerie' came out, they provided a soundtrack for purchasing and sample music online. I wasn’t conscious to how sensory branding is an integral and effective aspect of brand strategy making the overall experience more human.
