Bah, humbug: Why Black Friday 2014 can’t end soon enough When I’m president of the world, I will ban all pigeons from inner cities, the use of the word ‘brainstorm’, and any Christmas decorations before December. While I hope the first two are self-explanatory, allow me to elaborate on the third. It’s not that I’m against Christmas or its commercialisation (we all inadvertently [...]
Virgin Galactic crash: Has Virgin lost its innocence? To this day, my mother laments the moment I discovered girls. Before then, she forgave me nearly anything. A broad smile, cheeky shrug of the shoulders, and hey presto – I was out of trouble. She could overlook my many antics with an easy smile and a clear conscience. Kids will be kids. But [...]
How John Lewis took over Christmas – and restored festive cheer to all Britons When I was young, Christmas was a magical time, filled with wonder and delight. But as I grew older, and Father Christmas was revealed for who he really was (thanks dad), the shine wore off. Sure, I still look forward to it, but the crass commercialisation has slowly chipped away at this special time, and [...]
The new iPlod: How Apple’s iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 disprove Darwin’s theory with pure brand power October 17, 2014 If Darwin really did say it’s not the strongest or most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change, then the world of mobile tech had better watch out. The lumbering dinosaur that was once Nokia wonderfully proves the point: one moment all conquering and powerful, the next gobbled-up by Microsoft [...]
David vs Goliath? Why Tesco’s “Every Little Helps” is losing the battle for supermarket supremacy October 3, 2014 Like most of us, I’ve been watching the differing fortunes of Tesco and Aldi play out over the past few days. And it’s compulsive viewing, not least of all because we love the underdog. Plucky little Aldi with just 500 stores, takes on the might of Tesco and gives the goliath a bloody nose. Great [...]
Scottish independence: Will brands be left with Scotch egg on their faces? September 12, 2014 As someone who was born in Scotland, and occasionally wears the Duncan kilt with pride (in the correct fashion if you had to know), I have more than a passing interest in the forthcoming vote. Mostly I feel it’s a little unfair that that the ‘Yes’ camp seems to be having all the fun, leaving [...]
City & Gild: Boris Johnson, the brand ambassador August 8, 2014 I was watching a black & white film the other day (who needs a 4k television when a film has a plot?) about a naval captain who united his rebellious crew by forcing them to build him a wooden dinghy, and then sailing it back and forth in front of them while they sweated away [...]
Why the ASA’s banning of Jaguar’s Art of Villainy video should worry thrill-seeking brands July 31, 2014 Browsing through the papers on the weekend – all well respected broadsheets (if there is such a thing these days) – and it struck me that, as a brand manager, you may as well pack your bags and go home. Amid headlines which shouted about a cannibal fetish nurse, was a small article which [...]
City & Gild: Post Luis Suarez, has the World Cup lost its bite? June 27, 2014 For some, football is more than a game; it’s a matter of life and death. But for me – the Suarez incident aside – the World Cup has lost its bite. As my mind wanders to Wimbledon and the hope Murray doesn’t let me down as badly as the England team, I struggle to [...]
City & Gild: Has the World Cup Lost its Bite? June 27, 2014 For some, football is more than a game; it’s a matter of life and death. But for me – the Suarez incident aside – the World Cup has lost its bite. As my mind wanders to Wimbledon and the hope Murray doesn’t let me down as badly as the England team, I struggle to see [...]