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CAN YOUR PLAN BE HIJACKED?

With all of our marketing textbooks, classes and degrees, and our guru books, blogs and seminars, how is it that our marketing efforts so often miss the mark?  Certainly it’s not because we don’t know what to do. It really has more to do with the lessons omitted. Specifically: How to identify and overcome the ever-present forces that can hijack your plan.

Have you ever compromised a plan in the name of team work? Adjusted critical elements or language to satisfy a vocal, yet misinformed co-worker? Or even made changes in advance to please the CEO? Personal agendas, office politics and fear of innovation can reduce any of us to willing accomplices. Leaving us owning and being accountable to watered down plans.

Be prepared for the doubters. Overcome their objections with conviction, confidence and determination to keep your plans on track.

by Dwayne Fry Brand Futurist/Commander Strategic Ops

SPREAD SOME HOLIDAY CHEER! TAKE A MINUTE TO THANK A HERO!

a message from the Executive Director of The Army’s Army, Janine West:

Dear Army’s Army Partners and Members,

Last week The Army’s Army paired with Cumberland County Schools to say “Thank You” to our heroes this holiday season. Elementary, middle, and high school students from 15 different schools across Cumberland County made more than 5,000 handmade cards that were delivered by The Army’s Army to veterans and service members. From heartwarming messages of appreciation to special tributes of admiration, students were passionate about saying thank you to our military.

To showcase the these wonderful holiday cards, The Army’s Army has created a website, HeroesThankYou.org in which users can view each card and share them with friends and family they’d like to say thank you to. All it takes is one simple moment to share a message that could change someone’s life forever.

Please join The Army’s Army in our effort and send a card to show your thanks to our heroes.

To see and share the cards visit www.heroesthankyou.org

Thank you for your continued support!

reposted from www.armysarmy.org by Robert Shaw West, Brand Futurist, Commander in Chief, The Republik Companies

15-YEAR-OLD FORTELLS A FACEBOOK DECLINE

Like most 15-year-olds, my daughter is totally connected. Text and Facebook are her lifelines, or so I thought.  In spring, around the time of the pending Facebook IPO, I noticed a conspicuous absence in her Facebook activity. With a busy school and activity schedule I thought it nothing more than a function of available time.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. She and her friends have simply discovered social platforms that better fit the way they live – mobile. Instagram…take a picture, share it, 20 minutes later there are 65 “likes.” Pretty apt name. Twitter…group conversations and connections to peer group topics.  Pinterest…personal expression of self as individuals. What words can’t capture. Beautiful boards. Very revealing.
That’s the holy trinity for now. Along with ever-present text. This new world of social media supports her, not vice versa. And yes there is still some Facebook activity. But for her generation it is no longer the sun. Look around for yourself. There may be a world beyond Facebook. So far, I like what I see.

And now for the science. Two articles that prompted this post. The first is about Instagram: http://read.bi/OuFuVy  The second is about Pinterest: http://bit.ly/PApcZP  Both articles reinforce the utility of these relatively new offerings.

by Dwayne Fry Brand Futurist/Commander Strategic Ops

Photo Credit: courtesy of www.tgdaily.com, Has Facebook started its inevitable decline?

RALPH, MEET GEORGE. GEORGE, RALPH. NOW STEP BACK!

Ever heard of someone named Ralph Mcquarrie? Probably not. He’s the art director who concepted, designed and illustrated all the sets for the Star Wars movies. Click on the photo – you’ll see how mind-blowingly unheard-of his ideas were? If you don’t think so, remember, this was in1976. The bad news is that he died earlier this year. But at least take this from his life, that he, along with George Lucas, completely transformed the movie industry overnight. Just goes to show you – if you have big ideas, it doesn’t mean anything until you execute them properly. If you have big ideas and you haven’t found your George yet, start looking.

by Francis George, Creative Director, The Republik. Photo Credit: courtesy of www.conceptships.blogspot.com. Star Wars is a produciton of LucasFilms.

AND NOW, FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Up to now, everything here has been about change. Well, in the spirit of this blog, it’s now time for a big change. I’d like to write about the opposite of change – that is, not doing anything. Or, should I say, sticking to what you believe in, in spite of what everyone (pointed-headed experts included) tells you.

For years, everyone said Apple computer would die if they didn’t start selling to enterprise. For every consumer who buys a computer, the enterprise buys 50, they said.

Yet change didn’t come. Apple kept producing devices that consumers loved, enterprise be damned.

Last week out comes an article that says that the Federal Government is relying on Blackberry devices less and less because, among other reasons, employees love their computers/smart phones at home, and hate their ones at work, and are asking for Apple products at work instead. Companies are smart to realize that when they give their employees a choice, they’re happier.

So I guess the moral is that if you stick to what you believe in, eventually others will change.

by Patrick Miranda Brand Futurist The Republik Sergeant Creative Ops

Photo Credit: © Apple Inc.

BMW CHANGES MEANING OF GETTING INSIDE YOUR HEAD

While browsing Advertising Age, I came across an article that reminded me a bit too much of a certain George Orwell novel.

BMW Germany has recently developed a “flash projection” technology that temporarily forces viewers to see the BMW logo burned on the inside of their eyelids after watching a BMW ad. Although there is no logo visible during the actual ad, a voice asks the audience to close their eyes after they witness a blinding flash, similar to that of a photograph. If they close their eyes, as they are told, the viewer would see “BMW” imprinted on the inside of their eyes.

The flash projection project apparently “leaves a lasting impression,” but I think that’s just a nice way to put it. A more honest way would be to say that it forces one. True, the flash is harmless physically- but ethically? Usually, if a consumer does not approve of what they see on a screen, they are welcome to change the channel or close their eyes to it. But what happens when this is no longer an option? Are we pushing the bounds of morality by forcing people to see this logo? Or is this what brands need to do now in order to break away from the clutter?

Perhaps I am being oversensitive. For many people see this new “flash projection” technique as an innovative way to grab attention and allow consumers to actively engage with the brand. After all, “BMW” only appears on your eyelids for a second. And it’s really no different from conventional advertising, except for the fact that it takes away your free will. But really, who needs that?

I guess the moral of this story is keep your eyes wide open, because if you aren’t safe in your own head, you aren’t safe anywhere.

make up your own mind:

by Francis George Brand Futurist the Republik Commander Creative Ops