Character Options Limited’s Post

If you want to be ICONIC for the next century or so.... You'll have to stand out, do something remarkable & unusual. And that's what the brands like Nike, Liquid Death and Snickers do (to stay iconic). Like Snicker's "You're Not You When You're Hungry"...🔥 is one of the most 'iconiccreative' (yes, I made it up) concepts in the history of advertising... and here's Why ⬇️ ✅ ITS'S RELATABLE: Hunger can make anyone irritable and go crazy. ✅ ITS ENTERTAINING: They take the concept to the next level with humour and exaggeration. ✅ ITS CONSISTENT: They are brutally consistent with their concept over the years, decades and centuries. #creative #advertising #iconic

This week I spent 9 full mins watching Cole Palmer fish. Funny how operational best practice is worth striving for, yet creative 'best practice' can lead to formulaic outputs. These Burberry videos ignore the usual 'logo must appear in first 0.1 seconds', 'optimal online AV duration is 24.67s' nonsense, and are so much the better for it. You need that freedom & challenge in the process. https://lnkd.in/e7A9PFzD #advertising #marketing #creative #creativework #adland

What makes a good brand mascot? Semiotician Becks Collins (he/they) breaks them down, from relevance and irreverence to storytelling and cuteness https://lnkd.in/ery-vseb Clowns, tigers, bunnies, Barbie… brandland is full of iconic mascots. When making lists, however, it’s usually the same 10 to 20 heritage brands that come to mind — those who represent nostalgia, childhood and pre-streaming TV. That’s because it’s hard to get a brand mascot to stick. Many try and fail to connect, or completely turn people off (e.g. Burger King’s mid-2000s creepy plastic-faced King). Relatively few stand the test of time. Here are some key aspects of successful brand mascots, and the brands that have made it work... #brands #mascots #culture #people #semiotics #cute #storytelling

3 More Brand Slogan Creation Tips For 8/8/24: 1. To go along with your slogan, show intriguing ways that you can put that slogan into action during an ad. Examples: What would you do for a Klondike Ice Cream Bar? (Followed by some crazy action taken in order to receive one). There's no wrong way to eat a Reeses. (Followed by some silly way a character eats the peanut-butter and chocolate contraption). Have it your way at Burger King! (Followed by a customer placing a customized request for their order). 2. Clearly spell out the problem that your product or service solves. Examples: Coke: The pause that refreshes. (Thirsty? Tired? Both? Take a break and have a Coke). Snickers: You're not you when you're hungry. (Not at your best physically, mentally or emotionally due to hunger? Take a break and have a Snickers). Playstation: Play has no limits. (Bored? Need a challenge? Grab a Playstation game and live a virtual life without limits). 3. Boast about your Brand if you're able to back up it's quality. Examples: BMW: The ultimate driving machine. (BMW is generally well known as a high-quality, premium vehicle backed by many positive accolades). Ritz-Carlton: We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen. (Ritz-Carlton is generally well known for it's personalized and beyond friendly service backed by many positive accolades). Gucci: Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. (Gucci is generally well known for it's long-lasting, top-notch materials in it's products backed by many positive accolades). Thanks for reading and please contact me with any Branding questions you may have! #brand #branding #personalbrand #personalbranding #marketing #advertising #brandbenefit #brandslogan

Slightly strange post from me... 📣Looking for recommendations for corporate merch with a twist 📣 In the interests of reducing waste and making new employees feel part of the team from the get-go, I'm looking for a custom clothing company that allows a business to have a select range of branded merch on an online shop, with the ability to order ad lib, or with the ability for colleagues to place an order once a quarter. We had these companies so easily accessible when I managed a sports team at uni, but i'm really struggling to find one for corporate workwear?! As a committee, we selected the kit we wanted based on samples, approved the artwork, then had an online shop for members to order from. It was fab for user experience. I'm fed up of seeing bulk orders where the less common items sit in a store cupboard for years on end. Wouldn't it be nice to help new starters feel part of the community by sending them the online shop to be able to order their branded merch on the week they start? Time is limited so a business is lucky if someone is on hand with all the knowledge to put an order in for one shirt, without the use of a handy online shop. I know it will increase costs and potentially increase certain waste compared to ordering in bulk, but personally think it's a great solution. Doesn't anyone else or am I now a dinosaur googler? #corporatemerch #brandedmerch #corporatesustainability

The key to great promotions is that they have to be relevant. By relevant I mean it needs to add value to the brand and also add value to the person involved in the promotion. Think of it as a mutually beneficial partnership. Now, whatever you think about energy drinks It’s potentially always a good ‘high octane’ pairing bring these together with Formula One. As many of the drivers have their own personal brands, it would make sense to ensure that these partnerships work with those personal brands and also that there is clear reason for the celebrity in question to be plonking their name on the pack. Take this example from monster and Lewis Hamilton. Lewis’s highly polished urban style could be said to be somewhat diluted here with the use of the playful iconography. Similarly, Monster maybe haven’t made the most of the high fashion meets high-performance communication that could help add a little bit of high fashion edge to their offering. Partnerships are great, but they should always bring out the best in one another. #BrandDesign, #PackagingDesign, #Packaging, #Marketing —————————————— If you like this post then subscribe to my monthly newsletter. The aim of this is to give advice to brand owners and marketeers who are looking to make their branding & packaging design more relevant. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ep3uG9kv —————————————— Click the 🔔 on my profile to stay up to date and/or share with your network. ——————————————

I grew up in a small but spirited town called Dundee, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, where dreams were big, and the possibilities seemed endless. From as early as 5 years old, something magical would happen to me whenever an advert came on. While most kids would roll their eyes or run off, I’d be glued to the screen, mesmerised. Those ads weren’t just interruptions—they were bursts of colour, stories that made my heart race, and ideas that lit a fire in my soul. Advertising didn’t just catch my attention—it captured my heart. Crafting stories that speak to people, branding that resonates deeply, and creating content that starts conversations. It’s not just about selling a product; it’s about selling a feeling. I believe in the power of words and the beauty of a well-timed message. This is why Nike doesn’t just sell shoes—they sell hope, passion, and the dream of something bigger. Why Volvo doesn’t just sell cars—they sell safety, peace of mind, the promise that you and your loved ones are protected. And that’s what I strive for in my journey: to craft experiences that matter, to build brands that touch people’s lives, and to create moments that are unforgettable. Every brand I touch, every campaign I shape, it’s a part of my story—a story that began in a small town called Dundee.

Don't worry about your brand name, it doesn't matter. That is, before it's a brand. Did you know that Gymshark was one of those domain name company suggestions, like when you put in pizza(dot)com and it's like "how about meaty-zesty-za.io" Now, Gymshark is a billion dollar brand bought all over the planet. Or, take Crabtree & Evelyn: WTF is that? What a silly name. Except that it's not: it's a brand now. In fact, go down the list of names and logos of brands you love, and ask yourself: if this wasn't a brand, what would I think? I'm not saying to purposely come up with a dumb name, but rather that brands take on a perception of their own outside of just the name; that's what makes them brands. #brand #branding #marketing #brandmarketing #strategy

There's No Such Thing as Bad Publicity, Or Is There? Okay, I just had to share my thoughts on this recent rebranding fiasco that can only be described as, "What Were They Thinking?" Yes, I’m talking about the British automaker, renowned for its sleek designs and roaring engines, that has decided to reinvent itself by... wait for it... going full Barbie Dream Car. Jaguar’s new promotional video features androgynous models in avant-garde attire, strutting their stuff, with not a single car in sight. The iconic leaping cat logo? Replaced by a minimalist double "J" design. The classic British Racing Green? Swapped for electric pink, red, and yellow. It’s as if Jaguar’s marketing team binge-watched RuPaul’s Drag Race and thought, “Yes, that’s our new direction!” The new tagline, “Copy Nothing,” is painfully ironic, because honestly, I don’t think anyone would want to copy them at this stage; unless it’s Chandler Bing’s dad. Unsurprisingly, the public’s response has been nothing short of disastrous. Jaguar is being accused of abandoning its heritage in favor of pandering to modern trends. Social media is ablaze with comments comparing the new designs to a "pink Batmobile" or, my personal favorite, "Bud Light 2.0." Enter the Type 00 concept car, unveiled in a shade best described as "Miami Vice Pink." This electric vehicle boasts a stretched-out bonnet and a wide grille, making it look like a Tesla that got lost on its way to a rave. Jaguar claims this design is a "complete reset," aiming to attract a younger, wealthier audience. Because, apparently, nothing screams “luxury” like a car that looks like a Hot Wheels toy. So, what can marketers learn from this spectacle? First, know your audience. Jaguar’s attempt to court Gen Z with flashy colors and “woke” aesthetics has spectacularly backfired, alienating its loyal customer base while failing to win over the new demographic. Second, authenticity matters. A rebrand should reflect a company’s core values, not come across as a desperate bid for attention. The age-old adage "There’s no such thing as bad publicity" doesn’t hold water when your core consumers feel betrayed. While the rebrand has undoubtedly generated buzz, most of it has been negative, casting serious doubt on Jaguar’s future sales. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off, but for now, it seems Jaguar has driven itself straight into a marketing ditch. As for me, I firmly identify as the hater for this campaign, and I think I’m in good company. What do you think? #jaguar #copynothing #branding #advertising #cars #automotive #rebranding

A ‘Wicked’ blunder. If marketing fails can make or break any brand these days, a faux pas this gigantic can be a literal nightmare for toy giant Mattel, Inc.. A printing error on the packaging of its “Wicked” movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to a pornographic website, gained attention on social media over the weekend, where numerous users shared photos of the URL printed on the back of the boxes for the special edition dolls, which feature characters from the movie adaptation of “Wicked” set to hit theaters later this month. Instead of linking to Universal Pictures’ official WickedMovie.com page, the website listed leads to an adult film site. Most marketing blunders happen because of marketers taking their eye off the prize and focusing on being "creative" or "unique" rather than reaching their target audience. Think the Pepsi commercial from 2017 featuring Kendall Jenner watching a marching protest and then joining in. The one where she walks to the front of the protest line and hands a can of Pepsi to a police officer as a peace offering. He then takes the Pepsi and everyone cheers. The result? Outrage, as it should be expected at a time of social unrest in the US. The key learning? Never use controversial topics or social issues to promote your products. Another epic fail for the books was adidas’ very poorly worder email to customers who participated in the Boston Marathon in 2017. The subject line simply read, "Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon!" In the context of any other fitness event, this might seem harmless. But this message was sent on the heels of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which killed three people and injured more than 250 people. Needless to say, many people were offended. Mattel’s fail is one of a different nature altogether: failure from not paying attention to every detail in the execution of your campaign or product launch. Whether you’re a massive brand or a local shop, the biggest takeaway here is the same: Pay attention to the details—in how you present your message, represent your values, plan your campaigns, and if (hopefully not) applicable, how you apologize. Read more about Mattel’s ‘Wicked’ fall at the NPR article linked below in the comments👇. #marketingfail #marketing #advertising #merchandising #publicity #pr #toys #branding #promotionalmerchandising #linkedinpostsbymariopace