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Author Archives: marktruebrandwarrior
Motorcycle marketing: throttle through the curve
While marketing a motorcycle brand is one of my dream assignments — the relationship between motorcyclists and their motorcycle is a powerful brand-building opportunity — this post is not about motorcycle marketing. It’s about marketing ideas that come to me … Continue reading
Posted in Brand management
Tagged Marketing mistakes, Marketing planning, Motorcycle marketing, strategy
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Marketing apostate or grower
I understand some organizations don’t get marketing. It’s difficult to understand the emotional connections that build brand loyalty when you’re focused on incremental improvements in quality, reducing input costs and monitoring daily sales revenues. The leaders that give lip service … Continue reading
Posted in What were they thinking
Tagged accountability, brand discipline, Marketing budgets
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Let ‘em go. They’ll come back, to Iowa.
It’s been more than six years since I wrote this blog post about keeping young Iowans in Iowa. When I look back on it, it’s still an issue and I still feel the same way. So, I thought I’d republish … Continue reading
Posted in Place branding
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Don’t buy local if local sucks
I’m not a fan of “buy local” campaigns when loser brands try to guilt you into buying their inferior products from people who could care less, just because you live in the same zip code. I said the same thing … Continue reading
Does faith fit in a brand promise?
I first published this post in early 2009, on an earlier version of Brandhappens.com, but I think it’s still a great question. At the very end of Chapter 14 in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he made this … Continue reading
Lessons from retail: go all in on the employee orientation
While I’m between full-time employers, I’m working a part-time job in big-box retail to pay the bills. I’m also learning some value brand lessons, including this one: Focus on the employee orientation – The best opportunity to maintain an amazing … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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Embrace your milestone moments
This is an updated version of a post from the past, on a different version of Brandhappens.com. I think it still has a message worth repeating… This coming May 20th will be the 15th anniversary of my heart attack. Yes, … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged brand, brand warrior, communications, Iowa, marketing
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Hey customers: clean up your act in aisle 3
I’ve been working part-time in big-box retail for a couple of months now, and the biggest surprise I’ve had is the amount of time – and payroll – spent on just cleaning up after customers. When someone chooses a red … Continue reading
Lessons from retail: avoid jargon
While I’m between full-time employers, I’m working a part-time job in big-box retail this holiday season to earn a little Christmas cash. I’m also learning some value brand lessons, including this one: Avoid the jargon – Every industry – and … Continue reading
Engage everyone in brand management
>The doorbell rang, earlier tonight and a neighbor, wearing a harness filled with a little baby, asked me to come restart her mower. When I arrived, I quickly started the mower and proceeded to mow the lawn, not wishing to … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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