Category — Marketing - General

Pepsi' new, modern, clean, logo and globe design.

Pepsi’s famous globe image and logo has been updated, something this doesn’t happen very often. Although the logo changes from time to time, the Pepsi globe image has stayed the same since its introduction. The globe has been changed from the yin-yang style, with the blue and red sides being somewhat symmetrical and separated with a white space between them. As you can see, this design has been used since 1950, more then a half century ago:

The new globe uses a more a more stylized version with the red using more space and has lost it’s symmetrical design. I find the use of the increased red help draw more attention to it. Here is the line up of the new Pepsi cans: 

I have a particular interest in branding and packaging design, and I personally have always thought their last design was busy, and the colors were dull and didn’t provide enough contrast to really look appealing or catch your eye:

But again, this is only my opinion. Having said that, I absolutely love the new design. I find it to be very modern, extremely clean, and I feel provides enough contrast to draw attention to it, allowing one to clearly differentiate between the word “Pepsi” and the famous globe logo. In the last design of the diet Pepsi can, seen above, the font and globe was relatively small, especially next to the new one.  In the old regular Pepsi design, I feel the text and globe blended in too well with the busy background:

I few other Pepsi products are also getting updated logos, as can be seen with the Sierra Mist packaging Here:

With the first major redesign since the introduction, the global change was a big one for the company. I think the use of the new packaging and logo was a good move for Pepsi, allowing its product to be more “eye catching” in my opinion. One last completely random thought. I was watching Back to the Future Part Two the other day, and part of the movie takes place in the year 2015… in one scene of the movie, Michael J. Fox walks into a café and asks for a Pepsi. The ‘future’ design of the bottle is completely different, but the logo appears very similar to the old globe, the the addition to the words Pepsi Perfect. Just food for thought:

Cheesy ads for over commercialized jewelry companies are pretty much the norm, but the Jared commercials break the mold. I am honored that a jeweler would name his chain of stores after me (kidding of course), but these ads are driving me nuts. I can’t tell you how many people meet me, point to a friend and say, “ he or she….went to Jared !!!”

I understand their commercials are somewhat entertaining, but aren’t they trying to sell reasonably expensive jewelry? I didn’t think that talking GPS units or obnoxious distant cousins sold high end consumer products. Maybe they are trying to separate themselves from companies like Kay and Zales. If this is the case, are they just trying to be the “cool” one in the family? Maybe they could try and pull off the crazy uncle at holiday parties that makes repetitive jokes and contortionist funny faces, but nothing more. I hope they are not trying to compete with companies like Tiffany’s or David Yurman and if so, they might have a long hill to climb.

I don’t know if I am just getting personally offended because they didn’t consult me first, but the constant bantering of the tag line during introductions is getting tiresome. On a positive note, I haven’t heard the usual comments during introductions such as, “Your name is Jared, like the Subway guy? Are you related? haha.” Trust me, I have heard them all and even though the Jared The Jeweler line gets old, it could be worse.

I’m back. Sure, I’ve graduated, but the Temple AMA will always hold a special place on my list of ‘Things to Appreciate’. Its web presence happens to be on that list, as well, and as such, I’m looking forward to the year ahead (no classes, either!). Justin Goh (who’s awesome) will be taking over the web site and this wonderful little blog, but I’ll be a step behind, providing any necessary help, guidance, and of course, blog posts.

I guess the reason I’m writing this is to get you excited about our award-winning web identity. You should get involved with the site, this blog, and anything else Justin may manage. We are the techno kiddies, after all, no?

This is fun stuff; I only had one committee member last year (Justin) and never really understood why. You get to learn WordPress, the greatest blogging/CMS platform in all the world (I know I work for Automattic, but this is a world truth, regardless), gain experience in the realm of web marketing, and can add a bit of a technology spin to your resume. I know some individuals within the large membership base are at least slightly interested in this stuff - or at least I hope so.

I believe I’ve signed on with AMIS/AMA to do some sort of WordPress workshop - in fact, I’d be happy to do an entire series of these, if the desire was determined. So don’t be scared! I’m here to help, along with Justin (actually, he’ll probably have to do more of the work, as there are not too many hiding places on campus). I’d even be willing to answer any questions personally - I’m sure you can find my e-mail. Consider these words of encouragement to get involved with the web committee.

It’s your web site. Help Justin and the AMA make it even better.

Hey Gang!

Not necessarily marketing-related news or an internship update but I wanted to share a Healthy Reflection with you that I receive via email from a site called SparkPeople.com. The passage totally captures my state of mind right now as I took the last final of my undergraduate college career yesterday. I know there will be many tests ahead as I enter my career but it’s the most amazing feeling to accomplish one major chapter of my life. Hopefully, the passage inspires you.
It reads:

Don’t put off living the life you want

There is no lesson for today. You have permission to stop thinking for a moment and just enjoy yourself. Stop looking at your computer right now and go look at the world. Rediscover the natural wonders that you walk past every day. How can there possibly be that many shades of green? Let your mind be grateful for a break. Don’t think, don’t strain. Let the memories of loved ones remind you of your favorite times. Close your eyes and try to smell the sunshine. Listen to your heart beat in your ears. If it’s raining, smile at the thought of the flowers that will soon follow. If you’re surrounded by buildings, celebrate the creative genius of human beings. See the hope, the alarm, the love, the grief in faces that stream by. Thank whomever you’d like to thank for the chance to even be here. For a moment today, don’t worry about being better. Just be.

Woo! That’s all I have been saying since Monday. By May 2nd I would’ve attended the last class of my college career. It’s a bittersweet moment but I ready to take on the life of a working professional. I’ll be pushing prescriptions (I mean providing physicians with health care solutions) in a matter of two months as pharmaceutical sales rep for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

BUT…before I go on with this post. My apologies! I know I slacked a bit (maybe a lot) on giving you the inside scoop on working as an intern at Tierney Communications, a cool and dynamic ad agency in Center City . My final semester kicked my butt.  Yet, I know the past four years have shaped me into the woman I want to be–wildly sophisticated and utterly successful. With that said, I am back, and with graduation 22 days away, I will still be a TU-AMA thinker! You’re going to need someone to tell you how all of these (now abstract) marketing concepts play out in the real world. No worries, I am here!

To start, I did get an email from a reader! Sorry for not delivering prompt feedback but to answer the question: What is it really like to work at Tierney (i.e. people, work environment, atmosphere, etc.)?

It’s fun! It’s the only internship I’ve had where I could wear jeans at least two days out of the week. Employees really are recognized and awarded for their contributions. Co-workers across departments learn and know your name. There’s a company softball team (let’s not talk about its record). You can decorate your work space. Every Friday at 4:00 p.m. the media department kicks off the weekend with a mini 5-minute cubicle party (Don’t ask). There’s always the occasional office party to build esprit de corps (a word every strategist should know). The coffee machine isn’t bad and on any random day, there’s free food–typically caesar salads, sandwiches and fruit. And most important, the agency is filled with professionals who have extensive and amazing backgrounds and experience in media, creative design, strategic planning, marketing and advertising.

Even as my internship experience winds down, there is still so much that I am learning as an intern. I’ve been able to sit in on staff meetings, complete competitive analysis for clients, interact face-to-face with clients and watch Tierney employees participate in a marketing strategy case competition. I can say I’ve learned the most from this internship opportunity.

With that said, if there is one thing you should do RIGHT NOW to add value to your entire college career (and degree) : GET AN INTERNSHIP!!!

Everyone always uses the cliche example of how Colgate means ‘Kill Yourself’ or something like that in Spanish to illustrate global marketing snafus. Well - ha - it’s not always Americans who mess things up. Check out the following web site for Japanese company, Titty & Co!

Greetings fellow Thinkers!

The much-anticipated, long-awaited (at least for me) first ‘Lunch Special’ feature (brought to by your “Agency Insider Pass”–me) is coming next week. Yeah, I know, all that build-up for a minor let down. But, as discussed in my previous post, part of becoming an agency insider (and taking full advantage of an internship experience) is getting to know the people around you. And it’s more than just knowing their name or where they sit. It’s about taking time to build relationships because its the individuals, just a door or cubicle away from you, who have the industry experience and know-how to help guide your career.

With that said, “Lunch Special” is an occasional special feature that gives you a taste of who’ who and who knows what at Tierney Communications (where I am an account management intern). The section will recap my lunchtime conversations with various advertising professional across departments in order to give you insight on wonderful world (I love alliteration!) of advertising.

Next week’s feature: Josh Torrisi, an account director at Tierney Communications

The Chestnut Hill, PA native has worked for three different New York City-based ad agency powerhouses, including Bates Worldwide (responsible for classic tagline: “M&M’s melt in your mouth, not in your hand”) and McCann World Group. Over a platter of pippin’ hot Buffalo wings at Good Dog Bar & Restaurant in Center City, we talked about the beginnings of Josh’s career in advertising, working for a big agency vs. a small agency, and the role of account managers, including common misconceptions about them.

Tune in next week, Thinkers!!!

Your Think tank,

Malaika

Check out this new web browser - based on Mozilla - that integrates your social networking sites. Although I’m not a member of Facebook (long story), I think the browser is particularly sexy and has some potential. Try it out.

http://www.flock.com

You always hear that marketing is the art of making something seem better than it actually is. This theory could not be any truer than the case of Cloverfield, one of the worst movies I think I have ever seen.

The trailer makes the film look like an utter masterpiece. Suspense, shock, mysterious monster! It’s all there. And then I fork over my $10 and get punched in the face by 84 minutes of stupidity.  It’s almost as if the film’s producers came up with an awesome idea for a marketing campaign; sure enough, they realized at some point that they would have to actually make a movie, as well. And that’s where it just went bad.

But hey, I think it says a lot for the power of marketing…

So, save your money and read the entire movie summary on my web site to rescue yourself from sheer stupidity. Donate that $10 to AMA.

This is a list I’ve been building for awhile of must read books pertaining to business, marketing, and other important things. Most of them were recommended to me by others, whether it be professors, colleagues, or co-workers. A few I added to the list myself. So read…it makes you smarter. That is all. [Read more →]