Indigo7 Marketing & Events

This is not a paid ad by the way……..

In effort to show you cultural branding from an experiential or engagement marketing standpoint, I would like to show you the conceptual plan of Budweiser via its “Made in America” campaign. Currently, Budweiser is known as “America’s Favorite Beer”.  

To enrich their customer base, they have turned to focusing on music ventures rather than sporting events like NASCAR.  The team behind Budweiser wants consumers to look beyond the “America’s Favorite Beer” concept and just drink responsibility.

Let’s look at its efforts:

 In effort to generate a buzz for the Made in America Festival, they are throwing parties in major cities.  Yup, Dallas, there is a “Made in Dallas” party this week.  Check the link below:

http://www.budweiser.com/madeintour-agegate?redirect=%2fbudweisermadeindallas

In addition, Budweiser is sponsoring the Free Press Summer Festival in Houston:

http://www.fpsf.com

Do you hate it or love it?  I give you my thoughts via Twitter Friday Morning.

Ndidiamaka

TGIF, Folks! It is funny what happens when you meet people who have nothing to lose.  I recently had an interview that actually opened my eyes to a current situation that I am contending with.  And really, I was contending with myself not those associated to the brand. One of the interviewers said to me, “No, not them, you.”  I thought to myself at that moment, “You’re right! This is not what I am supposed to be doing at this time.”

Today’s #FranklyFriday post is focused on making your brand’s image have unity with your primary focus and/or mission.  In the interview that I had on Wednesday, I realized that I was focusing on a certain portion of my brand in manner that was killing the desire of pursuing it. I was looking at it through the lenses of how I can get this over with instead how effective will it be if I chose to go through this “door”.  It was making me lose stream in other areas of the brand. In my mind, I thought, “What will people think if I let this segment of my brand go?”  It had nothing to do with those who I interviewed with because they were simply trying to protect their brand image and integrity. Actually, I thanked them for being frank and honest with me. I rather know where you stand now than two years lately. 

• Communicate your needs first. Not the needs of those who can supposedly affect the operational aspect of your brand. Look at your personal and branding needs, first and foremost.  You know what you are capable of doing and no one should make you feel less than when you make an opposing move.
•  Create a mission that is effective to your needs and the needs of your target consumer. Actively listen to people.
• Stop questioning your actions. If a door closes, know that something behind it may kill your brand’s image. Questioning yourself brings confusion which will show in your brand’s actions.

  I have been questioning myself and others a lot lately. But today, I realized that, “The King is back”.  So you wondering, who is the king? You will soon find out. Just stay focus on your brand mission, plan and image. It is about your self-image and what you believe you can do. If you don’t think positive then how is anything going to move in your favor. The movements you make will always work towards bettering your brand’s life cycle even when you think it’s bad one.  You’re the captain of your ship. You dictate your livelihood. You may have to make a decision that will really save your brand not kill it. You know what your mission is not your associates and/or competitors.  This segment of my brand will take place but it definitely not going to be in the manner or format that my “friends” hoped for. 

  FYI: It is not that the interview went badly; it just wasn’t what I expected. But I thank them for giving me peace. 

  Questions, Comments and/or Concerns!?! Tweet or Tumblr Me. Thanks for your continued support of Indigo7 Marketing & Events and myself, personally! It is greatly appreciated.

  Until Next Time,

  King Ndidiamaka ;)

According to Google, the word, Emerge, means the following:

1. Move out of or away from something and come into view.
2. Become apparent, important, or prominent

Today, I would like to introduce to you the “Emerge” Spotlight. This new segment of the Indigo7 Marketing & Events blog is to introduce brands that are emerging in the lifestyle industry. The feature will run Wednesday when permitted.

If you are interested in being featured in the “Emerge” Spotlight, please email speak@indigo7marketing.com for further consideration. You must be a brand that is less than 5 years and have a visible online presence like a website and/or digital press kit. In addition, there is no fee for this feature. You just have to be on your “A” game to be showcased.

Today’s “Emerge” Spotlight highlights two sisters from the Houston area who have created a niche in the online retail community. This boutique is an online upscale lingerie boutique that specializes in classy and sexy designer lingerie at a reasonable price. Twyla caters to petite and plus size women.  

Introducing Twyla Boutique…….

Name: Becky Williams & Tiffany Proctor

Title: Co-Owners

Age: 32 (Becky), 25 (Tiffany)

Mission: Attitude, not size makes a woman sexy.

Website: http://www.twylaboutique.net

Social Media Sites: https://www.facebook.com/TWYLABOUTIQUE

1. How did you come up with your brand concept? We wanted to do something different for women. Unlike many lingerie boutiques, we offer plus size options at a reasonable price. We don’t raise prices based on sizes. We cater to all sizes and want everyone to feel comfortable purchasing our products.

2. What advice do you have those who want to start their own business? Read and research your brand. Know your market; who are you catering to? Also, know what makes you stand apart from others who are selling the same product or offering the same service. People love great customer service; always be willing to cater to your customers.

3. Where do you see your brand in five years? We plan on operating 2 storefront boutiques in the Houston area in 5 years. We will also be adding clothing and more accessories to our inventory.

PS: For those interested in the Emerge: The Pop Up, I am looking for at least 10-15 vendors for the event. Yes, only in Houston and Atlanta at this time. Please email event @indigo7marketing.com for more information.

Read last week’s #FranklyFriday about Twyla and Emerge: The Pop-Up:

http://indigo7marketing.tumblr.com/post/48361575232/spring-forward-with-twyla-boutique-awd-and

Until till Friday,

Ndidiamaka

Dove is asking its female customers to embrace the “real” you in latest campaign. As the brand continues to win allies in the female empowerment movement, Dove has taken its “Real Beauty” campaign a step further by showing their consumers that there is more to their perceived beauty than they realized.

The commercial shows a Forensic sketch artist and Dove consumers having a discussion about image.

Take a look for yourself.

 Do you love it or hate it? As always, I will give my response on Friday.  

PS: For those asking about the Session, I have completely changed the concept of the event. It is a moment to collaborate and motivate those in media, traditional and new,  to work as a cohesive union in the communities they serve. 

Topic: Blogger vs. Journalist

Take a look at this #FranklyFriday post that inspires this event:

http://indigo7marketing.tumblr.com/post/30590735960/journalism-vs-blogging-franklyfriday

More info to come……

Ndidiamaka

Frito-Lay’s latest campaign for its Lays potato chips brand, “Do Us A Flavor” has consumers stretching their taste buds, social media connections and pocketbook.  It is an experiential marketing campaign that is asking Lay’s consumers to pick their favorite flavor of Lay’s to be placed in the grocery outlets. According to Frito-Lay, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chicken & Waffles and Sriracha made it to the final round.  So potato chip fanatics, what flavor are you voting for?

Love it or Hate it?

I’ll give my answer, Friday!

Ndidiamaka….

Folks! Good day to ya! Recently, I was disheartened by an LA Times article about Pastor Rick Warren dealing with naysayers in the midst of the death of his son, Matthew.  The conversation that I recently had made me rethink how the Church handles branding and media within its current structure. The Church is a very complex industry. Just like most industries, you have the overzealous, the radical, the conservative and the followers are watching. The article bothered me because it was an example of why the church is dying. No media nor branding campaign can stop this train from derailing if this is how the Church is going to treat one of its top leaders whether you believe he is “righteous” or not.

Historically speaking, the Church was in the forefront as the leader to handle any issue concerning the community. Now, the Church has been determined by most media and branding professionals as the least likely group to support ideas, issues and causes in the community at large. In my context as a seminarian, I feel that today’s church has a lack of unity among its leaders. The lack is based on theological doctrine, rules and regulations and money. Especially that money, folks! If your church ain’t thriving, I ain’t talking is the philosophy of a few church leaders. At this day and age, the Church cannot afford to turn their backs on those who need the most help.

People are losing hope and faith in today’s Church. Image is everything especially the human touch. No one cares about your social media numbers if you are not doing anything externally to match what you speak virtually.

Church leaders, you are asking me what do I do?

·       Focus on what is important in your community. Talk about those topics that are deemed controversy in the Church like immigration and homosexuality.

·       Show unity within your congregation and with community entities besides those in your religious affiliation.

·       Be the authentic you. Show your flaws. Perfection in the Church is unrealistic and a dying form of ministry.

·       Give with compassion and empathy. 

·       Speak truth in love. I’m not asking you to deny God but think before you speak.

That’s my opinion and I am sticking to it. That is what my future ministry will based on. I grew up in diversity and it’s hard for me to see the Church in the format that it is currently in. Media and Branding folks, take note. Questions, comments and/or concerns.  Tweet or Tumblr me.

 Thanks for reading!

 Until Next Time,

Ndidiamaka

Source:

L.A. Times: Rick Warren takes on “haters” in the Wake of Son’s Suicide

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-rick-warren-takes-on-haters-in-wake-of-sons-suicide-20130408,0,4694839.story?track=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&dlvrit=649324

Photo Credit: The Gospel Coalition

Folks! Welcome to a new segment that I am incorporating onto the blog called “The Branding Moment”. This will be an opportunity for those who in the branding & marketing community to come together and discuss new concepts used within the community by some of our colleagues.

Today, I would like to introduce to you a new commercial by Oprah’s OWN network introducing a collaborative effort between Winfrey and Tyler Perry.

I’ll give you my thoughts Friday. Do you love it or hate it?

Sources: OWN:Oprah Winfrey Network Youtube Page

http://www.youtube.com/user/OWN