British brands

Brands cash-in on royal wedding of Kate and William

Posted Friday 25, March 2011 by: JJG

rom phones to hospitality and beyond, brands are banking that April’s royal wedding will mean cash in the till.

The Centre for Retail Research, estimates that the event equates to £515.5 million in sales for retailers, with souvenirs accounting for £222 million.

Statement pieces, influenced by royal and status public figures, are always popular with fashionistas. For example, in USA, when Michelle Obama wore the fashion brand label, J Crew, the brand sold out within hours.

So what can we expect from companies hoping that the pomp and ceremony of the royal brand, which boasts a sense of tradition, style and heritage, will be enough to encourage people to buy a little piece of history for future reminiscences

Posted in brand uk, British brands, Royal Wedding branding | 1 Comment »>

Arrogance breeds arrogance

Posted Sunday 12, December 2010 by: JJG

There have been riots again on the streets of London. Legitimate protestors had arguments, rather than arms in the mind. However, spotting an opportunity for a ‘good kicking’ many illegitimate rioters turned chants of complaint into assaults on democracy. Meanwhile, following a pleasant lunch at the House of Commons restaurant, MPs, elected by the people [...]

Posted in British brands, global brands, McDonalds, political branding, Politics | No Comments »>

BP chief sails off to the sunset.

Posted Sunday 20, June 2010 by: JJG

BP’s (British Petroleum) Chief Executive, Tony Hayward, demonstrated extraordinary lack public relations brand astuteness over the weekend of 19-20 June when he was spotted on ‘Bob’, his £182,000 co-owned Farr 52 racing yacht. Mr Hayward was enjoying time off at the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race held at the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England.

Posted in Advertising, BP brand, Brand expert, Branding, British brands | No Comments »>

Is it too late for British Airways to save their brand image?

Posted Friday 19, March 2010 by: JJG

Any dispute thrives or dies on the power – or lack of power – of communications and opportunity.

The union, Unite would argue that British Airways’ communications has so far failed.

On the other hand, the Airline could argue that it has been communicating with the union for a very long time indeed – and is still prepared to have last minute dialogue.

British Airways even placed full-page advertisements in the British press to air its argument. (However many viewed this as a last minute gasp for breath).

Posted in ba brand, British Airways brand, British brands, terminal five, Tourism and travel | 4 Comments »>

British Airways brand vs. Unite – the fight goes on

Posted Friday 18, December 2009 by: JJG

The verdict at end of the latest round of the heavyweight fight between brand British Airways and the Unite union (which represents 13,500 BA cabin staff) suggests British Airways taking the bout – but only just.

Posted in Brand expert, Branding, British brands, global brands | 4 Comments »>

British Airways brand, Unite union and the Christmas strikes – The brand bout begins

Posted Tuesday 15, December 2009 by: JJG

Reportedly up to one million passengers could be affected by the British Airways’ (BA) announcement of a possible 12-day strike staged by cabin crew over the Christmas period (between 22 December 2009 and 2 January 2010).

The announcement heralds the start of battle of wills between two parties played out on the world stage – with the public acting as judge and jury over which party – airline or union – gains the greatest brand empathy.

Posted in ba brand, Brand expert, Branding, British airways christmas strike, British brands, terminal five | 2 Comments »>

The Beatles brand – why everyone is saying “yeah -yeah-yeah”

Posted Monday 7, September 2009 by: JJG

With a brand like ‘The Beatles’ it is virtually impossible for the iconic godfathers of pop to go wrong when this week they release a video a game and remastered back- catalogue of some of the world’s best loved music. So why now and what next? The marketing people behind the new play-along video game [...]

Posted in British brands, celebrities | 1 Comment »>

The writing is on the windows and browsers for Woolworths

Posted Thursday 11, December 2008 by: JJG

With the company facing £385 million of debts, just after 4.30pm on 10th December Woolworths’ head office sent an email to the managers of all its 815 stores announcing that no buyer had recognised the wonder of the Woolies brand. Today stores open with signs printed at the last minute reading:“closing down sale”.

Posted in Branding, British brands, global brands, Misc, retail brands | No Comments »>

A terminal case for brand UK?

Posted Friday 28, March 2008 by: JJG

The current fiasco at British Airways’ T5 could have far reaching implications for brand UK.  Heathrow airport is more than a hub for the national airline. It is represents an international front door to brand UK. The message on the front mat may be reading, ‘welcome’ but in fact it is suggesting something far more [...]

Posted in Brand expert, Branding, British brands | 7 Comments »>

The Jaguar that roared or the kitten which whimpers?

Posted Wednesday 26, March 2008 by: JJG

Back in 1935 the members of the Press were invited by an enthusiastic British entrepreneur called Bill Lyons to witness a new kind of automobile design – The Swallow Sidecar’s Jaguar. Similar in shape to a Bentley it was elegance, style and power personified into an extraordinary design that comes around once in a lifetime. [...]

Posted in Branding, British brands, jaguar, Misc, top brands | 1 Comment »>