Love the new Starbucks spots for Pledge5

Makes me love Howard even more…brillant move and I believe sincere
to tie into the new administration’s rally for grassroots volunteerism to help rebuild communities, people’s spirits and the economy. Have you signed up yet? http://pledge5.starbucks.com/

 

i ♥ howard

I realize this will start the firestorm of controversy on both sides, which I’m actually looking forward to, so please feel free to comment…

Can I tell you how much I love Howard Schultz and my Gold Card membership? If you haven’t gotten one yet here’s their intro~

“You’re our heart and soul. You’re the people we see every day. You’re the ones who keep us going. And you’re the voices we listen to when you ask for a little recognition, and a little special treatment. Welcome to the membership you helped us create. Welcome to Starbucks Gold.”

WOW…I’m not a customer; I’m their heart and soul!!! It’s a marketers dream to have such loyal brand enthusiasts and this is another example of a smart and evocative brand campaign to gain new and retain existing fans.

So, for Howard, let me count the ways….

1) I love how he’s made oatmeal sexy, fun and less expensive than a yogurt parfait.

2) I love how he brought the holiday line-up in earlier this year, giving us a nice distraction from those economic and political woes.

3) I love how he took out a 30 second spot to encourage us to vote and offered free coffee to all who did. And loved the PR storm that hit once the complaints flurried in~ yeah FREE COFFEE FOR EVERYONE!

4) I love how he recalled his humble upbringings, the ignorant dad of his prom date berating him for his family’s car, and his beliefs on treating employees with dignity, empowerment and potential.

5) I love how he supports sustainable causes.

6) I love how he made a safe place for me to enjoy all 5 senses while reading a Malcom Gladwell book in peace.

7) I love how he created a gigantic ecosystem of local merchants and entrepreneurs wanting to compete with his brand.

8 ) I love how he is still confident and stores are still buzzing even with being 95% down YOY.

9) I love how he emphasizes the importance of knowing everyone’s name and drink.

10) I love how he took back the reigns and re-dedicated his brand to its roots and not music.

Advertisement

 

Kathy~ My Brand Champion Tribute

Personal brand development and publicity combined with networking is a powerful tool to compete in today’s global marketplace. I have been a practicing evangelist for years, but sadly most people only start to believe (read= panic) when they are in crisis and need to find a new opportunity. Even more sad is that they forget the importance of personal brand and networking once they move on from that crisis. Most don’t learn the value of networking and will ultimately find themselves in this situation many times.

I must thank my good friend Kathy, who has more than encouraged me to continue my mission. Thanks to her I have overcome my public speaking anxiety and have a champion who graciously shares my name and mission to many people she meets. Each semester, she invites me as a guest lecturer to her MBA and undergraduate class to review my own lessons learned, new tools & techniques out there and why personal brand matters.

I started Network Ties when I found myself part of a very sudden lay-off trying to help others get through the same crisis. Kathy has allowed me to continue to give back and in doing so, receive so much personal growth and new relationships.

Thank you my dear friend ~d

 

New terms I’m loving

Here are 2 new terms that I find amusing and interesting. Do you?

1) Recessionista– the fantabulous (another term i giggle to) female who finds a way to still look “fabulous” on a shoestring budget. This makes me recall my college days in NYC where I found great, classic closet pieces for flea market prices. My favorite treasure is this 1940’s red satin cape jacket that I bring out each February and December. Not exactly sure how it still fits, but I always feel special in it remembering how I paid $8.50 for it!!!

2) Power Donut– the cousin of Chrome Dome, this is the new term to describe the timeless sure thing of male patterned baldness where only the ear to ear ring is left in tact. Much like my dad, this term describes the power that comes with the “character” and wisdom that typically is granted with age. The article suggests that Bic-loving, shave-it-all off men have become a dime a dozen and passé. Not sure about that but it did give props to those that haven’t yet committed to the daily extended shave, for which I personally believe takes an amazing amount of courage. Think about it- would you willingly take a blade to skin that’s outside your field of vision (back of head)? Ouch, I can’t imagine!

 

09 Resolution Progress

Checking off the blog box to re-ignite some stale blogs…step 1, post something new. Done.

 

tags, tags, tags

’twas a time when you had to think of yourself as a keyword, searchable and unique enough for Google.

Now it’s all about tagging and folksonomy. I wonder when we’ll all get back to just simply picking up the phone to say hello, putting pen to paper to write hello or visiting with people to exchange hello’s.

 

Marketing Brand YOU

What’s the most powerful marketing tool you have?

– An Ivy League degree?

– A great corporate brand behind you?

– A  large budget, great agency partners and loyal consumers?

No- the answer is YOU. You are the most powerful marketing tool you have. Once you understand and embrace that, you can fine tune your personal brand, develop your personal publicity kit and with both in hand, begin or leverage the network of connections you have created and nutured.

Now more than ever in this global workplace, you need a personal brand to give you the competitive edge. Deliver on that personal brand promise with every interaction or communication you have. Define your own personal publicity plan to launch or catapult your personal brand.  Build and nuture a strong network of connections that will become your personal brand champions.

Let us show you how and why your personal brand matters. Please visit our site at www.networkties.com for more information and resources.

 

Looking for 3rd Screen Enthusiasts

“3rd Screen”. Just the mention of it gives most heartburn envisioning a Minority Report society gone haywire.

However, if your brand has established a loyal consumer base, has authentic content and application, and has been successful at CRM tools and opt-in rates, you may be a perfect candidate to embrace mobile marketing.

Ask yourself~

• How many times have I changed my email address in the last 24 months?
• How many times have I forgetten which email address and password I registered for that “awesome program”?
• How many times did I wish I could or would have forwarded that email to my mobile phone with that special offer before shuting down the laptop?

The realities are that most people change their email address before they are willing to change their mobile phone numbers, due to job changes, SPAM annoyance and ISP changes. Most people are not plugged into a computer 24/7. Most are also inundated with some much email with moderately relevant content it gets deleted before read.

These challenges are opportunities for a mobile marketing solution! Consider allocating part of your marketing budget and channels of distribution plan to include wireless. Many companies already have-call us to see how wireless fits into your mix.

 

Networking for Success

Overheard the other day- ” Marketers are a dime a dozen”.

Perhaps, but we subscribe to the theory that the delta between the dime (10) and the dozen (12) is actually 2 and therefore great marketers are a rare breed. The successful marketers we know all have one thing in common: they are resourceful and well networked. They have learned the value of a personal network and have developed their own brand champions within their inner circle or sphere of influence.

These marketers see the bigger picture and find those partners who will make their ideas come to light. “Out of the box” is now better termed “Networking for Success”. And that’s why we love what we do.

Here are our Networking Rules to live by: PLANS

1) PROTECT -just like your family; be honest and guard against ill will done to them

2) LEVERAGE -ask for guidance, recommendations and support to make things happen

3) ALLEGIANCE -pinkie swears and IOU’s apply here

4) NURTURE -share your knowledge, insight and most importantly, your time

5) SUPPORT – everyone appreciates a pat on the back, especially during the rough times

 

Branded Blend

Welcome to Julden Group’s branded blend.

Life is not one dimensional, so why should your marketing be?TM

Please visit often to see how and why we live.work.play. everyday.