Diluting the Cafe Experience?

"Rapid expansion, the chairman, Howard Schultz, said, has led to a 'commoditization of our brand' that makes the company more vulnerable to competitors. Specifically, he cited several decisions that, he said, may have been right at the time, but which, in retrospect, have led to a 'dilution' of the coffeehouse experience that he wanted to foster."

Starbucks Chairman Fears Tradition Is Fading

Hangin' with Mini Cooper

TREND: Trysumers

"The concept of consumers becoming more daring in their consumption patterns just because they can, should provide you with ample ammunition to dream up profitable, ‘off the beaten path’ goods, services and experiences this year."

February 2007 Trend Briefing

And No Nasty Northeast Winters

"The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is spearheading a movement of major universities to put online lecture notes, coursework and required readings for MBA courses and other classes on the internet—for no charge! "

An Ivy League Marketing Education for Free?

High Standards Are Kind of a Pain Anyway

"Bank of America has long believed that a coherent brand identity could be an important advantage in consumer banking, just as it is with other consumer products. It treats its vast network of branches as bright red billboards, breaking traditional advertising rules about not associating that color with money. The bank has created its own flag symbol and developed its own theme song. And it spends heavily on all forms of marketing: about $600 million annually across all media over the last few years."

Bank of America Tagline Has Run Its Course

What You Talking About?

"It's my contention most marketers don't -- and shouldn't -- incorporate weirdness into basic brand-building strategy. All the work to come up with the next Subservient Chicken is diverting attention from marketers' main job of building strong brands."

Here's a Weird Idea, Marketers: Create Ads to Build Your Brand

Baaaaaaaa

A bit of a kick in the ass from Seth Godin.

Sheepwalking

Skate Like a Princess Today

Who Will Pay for the Trips to Nobu?

"AND THERE'S A REASON WHY CLOROX (CLX ) hasn't asked for ideas. Many big advertisers sell commodities—soap powder, paper goods—that lack logos people tattoo on their torsos or paint on their faces."

What Makes 'Citizen Ads' Work

Freaky. Like a Reverse Keyser Soze. But Cool.