Best & Worst of 2007 & 2008

Two West commended Old Navy for their makeover in the Brand Spotlight. Check out their new logo and look. Let us know what you think.



Every year Landor Associates publishes their Newsmaker Brands Survey. This survey examines Americans’ perceptions of high-profile brands that made headlines in 2007 and are expected to make headlines in 2008.

On the Brand Show, Two West was excited to have Landor as a guest on the show once again to discuss the winning and losing brands of 2007 and their predicted winning and losing brands of 2008. Russ Meyer, Landor’s Chief Strategy Officer, explained how Americans continue their obsession with online brands and the indications of an upcoming recession have consumers searching for brands that will help them stretch their dollar.

Here’s the top 5 predicted winners & losers of 2008 according to Landor. Let us know if you agree with this list.

Winners
Google
Amazon
Wal-Mart
eBay
Target

Losers
United Airlines
Delta Airlines
Blockbuster
Countrywide
Gap

Web Marketing: The Greatest Audience

Ad revenue is continuing to increase as the Internet more and more is being used to show television programs and other multimedia messages. Companies like Google, Microsoft, AOL and Yahoo!, currently control the majority of the advertising venues. This weeks show looks into how marketers are trying to create unique messages to connect with consumers. From virtual worlds, to social networks, advertising is big money and is increasingly more prevalent. Even network television has realized that streaming its shows online are good for ratings as well as advertising dollars.

This week’s Brand Rant discusses how Italian clothing company Nolita’s use of an anorexic model is causing a large stir. Nolita claims that the purpose of the ad was to gain awareness of the anorexia problem and not to increase awareness of its product. In the Brand Spotlight, we look at how Sao Paulo, Brazil has eliminated all forms of all outdoor advertising, much to the anger of advertisers in the city. And Andy Beal, founder and creator of MarketingPilgrim.com joins us to discuss how Microsoft is looking to buy a five percent stake into social network Facebook.

Related Topics:

The Wall Street Journal looks into the fashion controversy in using an anorexic model in its recent campaign.
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB119085102463240676-U4UveGHBX_v0Kz1cKEC0Gau83aM_20071027.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top

This link shows the controversial photos (WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES)
http://www2.nolita.it/nolita/

Check out how Sao Paulo, Brazil is eliminating outdoor advertisements. Be sure to check out the pictures of the city and the interesting look it now has.
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jun2007/id20070618_505580.htm

Is $500 million really worth just a five percent stake of Facebook? Check out the article here.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20983021/

Primetime television viewing is changing, thanks to the increase of network television showing their shows online.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=68190

Companies are increasingly using virtual worlds as marketing ventures to target kids and teens.
http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=68152

Buzz Brands

Every year 70% of products introduced in the consumer packaged goods industry fail. What does it take to make it in today’s competitive world: creating buzz for your brand. With so many brands out there, generating publicity and people to talk about your brand is a challenge. Standing out requires creativity and taking risks. This show offers tips for creating buzz and looks at some companies that have reaped the benefits of thinking outside the box.

Brand Rant speculates whether Yahoo! and Microsoft can come together to double team Google in the online ad rivalry. In Brand Spotlight, Delta Air Lines is hoping to craft a new brand by launching a new marketing campaign promising to change the consumer’s travel experience. Stephen Monaco, an executive-level marketing consultant, joins the show to brief us on “buzz brands.”

Health Care Branding

With so much going on in the health care field one week wasn’t enough time to cover it all. Models for health care branding, industry trends, drivers, and online health care are all bottled in this show. This is your dose of health care branding.

The Brand Rant covers new information on the Federal Trade Commission cracking down on celebrity endorsements and deceptive advertising. Google takes the Brand Spotlight once again for teaming up with Echostar to offer an auction-based advertising system, including second-by-second commercial ratings.