global brands

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 »>

Gay McDonald’s commercial

Posted Tuesday 8, June 2010 by: JJG

McDonalds in France has premiered its first ever gay teenager tv commerical entitled, ‘Come As You Are’.

The commercial addresses traditional ‘macho’ views of homosexuality with a teenager boy being questioned about his ‘all -male’ school by an older man who feels sorry for him as he lost opportunities to date girls. The teenager responds with a wry smile.

McDonalds spokesperson explained that the commercial aimed to recognise the diversity of McDonald’s customers in France.

A YouTube version of the ad has already received in excess of 1,691,642 hits.

Posted in fmcg brand, global brands, McDonalds | 2 Comments »>

Santa – the real thing?

Posted Thursday 24, December 2009 by: JJG

In 1862 the Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus for Harper’s Weekly.  Santa was depicted as a small elf-like figure who supported the Union.  By good chance for the Coca-Cola Company, the character wore red and white – inadvertently reflecting the company’s brand colours.  Officially the company explains the red suit came from [...]

Posted in Branding, Food, global brands, Misc | 2 Comments »>

Apple brand set to take a bite out of Hollywood?

Posted Wednesday 23, December 2009 by: JJG

The Apple Computer brand is reportedly seeking to complete a deal with broadcasters such as Walt Disney and CBS for a web-based TV subscription service; possibly charging viewers a monthly fee.

Posted in Apple brand, Apple computer brand, apple tablet, global brands, Tech brands | No 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 »>

Adweek brand of the decade announced

Posted Tuesday 15, December 2009 by: JJG

Apple received top honours in six categories in Adweek’s “Best of the 2000s” advertising awards, including “Brand of the Decade” and “Marketer of the Decade” for Steve Jobs. With 220 million iPods sold worldwide, Apple’s music player was named “Product of the Decade”.  It was compared to the Walkman in terms of cultural impact. Two [...]

Posted in Brand expert, global brands, Misc | 1 Comment »>

Business Week announces top brands for 2009 – who’s a hit and who’s a miss?

Posted Friday 18, September 2009 by: JJG

Rank Company                           2009 brand value $millions        % change over 2008 1               Coca-Cola                            68,734             [...]

Posted in Brand expert, Branding, global brands, Misc, top brands | No Comments »>

McDonald’s viral marketing rap

Posted Friday 10, July 2009 by: JJG

Love this piece of viral marketing – but is it real? Share on FacebookBookmark to:

Posted in Food, global brands, Misc, top brands | 6 Comments »>

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 »>

Heinz pulls out of gay sex before it gets in too deep.

Posted Thursday 26, June 2008 by: JJG

Heinz, the perennial family brand favourite, has withdrawn its television commercial for mayonnaise because it believes it offends family values. The thirty-second commercial, which was due to run over five weeks, features a man in a typical middle-class family kitchen setting preparing sandwiches for a schoolboy and girl.  The man, dressed as a chef, sounds [...]

Posted in Advertising, Branding, fmcg, Food, global brands, top brands | No Comments »>