The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

Andy’s lovemaking – that’s genius – both small and rapid!

You only slagged off Andy because you thought he was safely out of reach of this blog. Well he was till I sent him an SMS. Karma. 🙂

It’s only the 8th day of the new year and I’m already doomed. That’s a record – even for me!

[I love both George’s – Parker & Carlin – so that was actually meant to be a compliment. Oh well, 🙂 ]

“Auntie George” is currently living the Billionaire’s life without having to pay a dime – do you really blame me for not liking him? 🙂

I never liked George, his wife and kids are alright, but he’s horrible 🙂

Nice save John …

[I do love it when George and Andy are away, ha!]

That’s two of us who need a lie down then Lee.

Happy New Year to you too …

Now will someone – anyone – write a serious comment about this post? Jeez, I try and write something halfway normal and all I get is tangent abuse. Mind you, I should be used to it by now – that’s all that happened last year as well, ha!

Perceptive as ever Mr. Hill.

I knew I could rely on you Mr Frith.

And while I am shocked NP must be incharge of the censorship rules of China [given the ban of the Freddie Mercury pic] you – as usual – raise some interesting points.

Ferrari and Lamborgini [it’s never Ford is it, ha!] are total whores with their brand.

Hari told me yesterday they even have a childrens push chair with their name on it. I can sort-of understand ‘JEEP’ going into this area [or even Tonka] but Ferrari?

I mean what sort of sad-bastard Dad would pay a premium for a push chair just because it has a Ferrari badge on it. Hell, it’s not like the kid would know who they are – and even if they did, they’d probably prefer Fisher Price.

Of course brand extention is a valid strategy for growth and prosperity – however like you said, when an alliance is done without a genuine association/interest between the brands involved, everyone can spot it for the sad attempt to shortcut the sales process that it really is.

What’s worse is this approach tends to end up either undermining the whole strategy or only benefiting one of the parties involved – so it just fucks everyone up in the longer term.

This is especially bad in China because lets face it, most Western brands ventured there because they thought it was the gold rush all over again.

The irony is that while many Western brands have gone in with this ‘lets pickpocket the locals’ attitude, the reality is that it’s the Chinese who are pickpocketing the Western brands because not only are they reaping the rewards of this excessive foreign investment, but in many cases, they are able to plagarise the ‘mother brand’ for their own gain.

Maybe this is why many companies do so many alliances – in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the piracy, and while I can understand it from some twisted profit-protection point of view, it’s not exactly building a solid brand for the future, especially when you flog your name to fucking SD cards!

As for the Montblanc aftershave – go for it Charles, you might also be interested in the Playdoh version, another example of brand vanity.

🙂

I love Ferrari cars. But it makes me sick how much they whore their brand out. It’s playing into this whole “luxury” craze that’s sweeping most of the world at the moment. Unfortunately I think one day they (and other like minded brands) will regret it.

I agree with this post wholeheartedly. Brand unions can be a very powerful strategy but too many organisations seem to utilize them because they see it as a way to cut back on the necessary investment in their core property.
Great post.

Hello Andrew …

Not sure if you’ve popped on here before because your language is far more intelligent than the usual comment that’s bashed out 🙂

I understand where you’re coming from and without doubt some companies approach alliances with the wrong attitude, but in the right circumstances, it has the power to jump-start a brand into both the public’s conciousness as well as aspiration.

Sometimes. 🙂

I absolutely agree.
No, wait. I disagree.
a) Tesco don’t have it.
and
b) Ferrari can do whatever the fuck they want as long as it’s not related to war or discriminating. But with the rest they can go nuts, buddy. They only give their logo for cooperations so it doesn’t affect their product. The cars will always be a dream for most man. Nobody will care where their logo is. Even if it is on a vaginal shower.

Sorry mate but Tesco’s absolutely have it.

Whether you like them or not, people appreciate they are a brand who continually fights for their customers loyalty – not by just making food cheaper [though that is one area they have done very well in] but by creating opportunities that help their customers [and the wider society] become a better place.

This can be in areas such as the original ‘Books For Schools’ program right through to the mad, but brilliant ‘Trim Trolley’ … which is far better than most brands who say “WE CARE” then carry on regardless.

Sure TESCO’s are doing it for their own purposes, but they appreciate they can make money whilst making things better – which ultimately is the best magnet for consumer growth.

Of course this is just my opinion however a survey a couple of years ago said the British public trusted Tesco’s more [interms of having their best interests at heart] than the British Government.

Of course the flaw in my argument is that the public probably thought the local Fish & Chip shop had their interests more in mind than Blair’s mob but lets move on eh, ha!

As for Ferrari being able to do what the fuck they want. I can understand why you say that – and maybe you’re right – however if their associations are continually dumbed down, mass market and inapprorpirate, I am of the belief the consumer will start to find/look for other alternatives because cred is something that starts to be undermined.

It happened to Disney and it could happen to Ferrari if people start to know them more for their associations than their own brand.

Maybe 🙂

And do you mean a shower shaped liked a vagina?

Wouldn’t that mean you’d be indulging in a ‘golden shower’ type-of-scenario?

Not that I know what that even means. Honest.

Dear Mum … please forgive Age his reckless comments, he’s young!.

Hell, if that doesn’t wash with you – how about the fact he’s a nice guy who is senstive, smart and kind?

Alright – he’s Italian – does that work?

Anyway on his behalf, I say sorry. 🙁

ARGH sorry Rob!
Signora Campbell, sono molto spiacente. Prego lo perdono!

the models by thr bike are good though

morning

Hello NP – your first comment of the year and you don’t even say ‘Happy New Year’. You’ve changed since you joined TBWA, ha!

And Mr M … you have obviously forgotten how this blog works. I spend a while writing something I feel is important and no one pays the slightest bit of attention. It helps keep me ‘real’ – well that’s my excuse anyway 🙂

It was a good post though!

And Seb is wrong – no company can do whatever they want – ask Burberry (even if it wasn’ty entirely their fault). When Ferrari weren’t winning races they were nowhere near as cool as they are now. Stardom is related to core performance and
extensions should tie into that – sure the disk people look the more desparate in your example but others will think what have Ducati got to do with disks? exyensions related to your core ability (and not adjectives that describe them such as rapid) are sensible – they’re have strategic coherence. Extensions that relate to a shared audience are much more worrying because a shared attitude/need is what you should be focussing upon.

Actually Rob, I can’t. Nope – are you giving clues on that one?

Creep.

Who me?

this ducati sundisk card is just like age’s ferrari vag shower- what the fuck?? just trying to make something that’s ostensibly crap, hot and sexy?

Ferrari were way cooler when they had Mansell and Berger.

I do the typing thing on purpose you know

(happy new year mate)

This blog is a weapon of mass confusion. I’m very glad it’s back.

There’s been a lot of burning rubber in my lurve life Doddsy. I’ll drop you a few tips in my next email. I love this blog 😉

Leaving? LEAVING?

You’re not allowed to leave. Oh hang on, yes you are, you don’t work for me anymore. Unfortunately.