Thursday, March 11th, 2010

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Canonsburg’s Candy Man Frank Sarris

Canonsburg’s Candy Man Frank Sarris

A local Pittsburgh area marketing hero of mine passed away earlier this week Frank Sarris, founder and owner of Sarris Candies of Canonsburg, PA. Here was a remarkable man who was dedicated to his business, community and family and did it all successfully and with class. We can all use a few more heroes like Frank Sarris. How do I know this? No…I never had the pleasure of meeting the man –... [Read more]


Dominos Calls Baby Ugly and Doubles Profits

Dominos Calls Baby Ugly and Doubles Profits

As a brand marketing consultancy, people pay us to, “call their baby ugly” and discover profitable ways to make it more attractive. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially when the business owners or leaders you’re consulting with happen to be the ones who gave birth to the baby you’re critiquing. A few months ago, I caught the news and television commercials about how... [Read more]


11 Ways to Think Better

11 Ways to Think Better

It seems to me that over the past few years, many of us have veered far away from sound thinking.  Not just strategic thinking – simple common sense thinking too – and just about all other kinds of thinking in between. I’ve always been one to strive for better ways to use my noodle and to put it to good use. Certainly, I’ve had my share of blunders, but when I carefully analyze... [Read more]


Irish Asked to Boycott Denny’s

Irish Asked to Boycott Denny’s

File this Blog post in your, “What were they thinking” folder! From very reliable and ticked off sources, I understand that Denny’s restaurants have been airing a disrespectful television commercial degrading the Irish by offering unlimited pancakes or fries in celebration of the ending of the Irish Famine. Mama Mia! If this is a joke, it’s not even close to being funny. The... [Read more]


Banned for Bad Tipping

Banned for Bad Tipping

When I caught this headline, “Banned for Bad Tipping” on CNN.com today, I just had to check it out since we do so much work for restaurants and the hospitality industry. View the story here: I’m not sure who is right here, but my gut says the customer. Even if the owner is correct when he says that his customer is not a good tipper, she still paid her bill for the basic food and... [Read more]


Best Site for Twitter Tools and Apps

Best Site for Twitter Tools and Apps

Here’s the very best site for all things Twitter from oneforty. They list nearly 2,500 Twitter Tools and Apps. Thanks a million oneforty!  Read More →


Pittsburgh’s New Innovative Giant Eagle

Pittsburgh’s New Innovative Giant Eagle

Twenty years or so ago, I had several conversations with marketing colleagues about how supermarket chains lacked creativity. The general experience was underwhelming and one that most people dreaded. During those years, I would take Cadillac, Oldsmobile and McDonald’s clients into Wegman’s supermarkets throughout western, New York to show them how great they were and to learn merchandising,... [Read more]


Social Media Mistakes by Tiger and Toyota

Social Media Mistakes by Tiger and Toyota

Typically, in times of crisis, most brands fail in their communications before the crisis explodes not during or after it happens. Then, long after the explosive facts are out, whatever a brand does to quell the unfortunate act never seems to be quite enough. And today, in this ever changing and rapidly growing Social Media Marketing environment we all live in you can get yourself into a whole bunch... [Read more]


Loving Pepsi’s Refresh Project

Loving Pepsi’s Refresh Project

Looking forward to great game and loving Pepsi’s decision to pass on Super Bowl ads (waste) and lead with its “Refresh Everything” online marketing project. Two things I’m sure of about the Super Bowl. One – someone named Peyton/Payton – will win! Two – Pepsi’s campaign will be successful for them and similar types of brand initiatives that focus their... [Read more]


BrandMill Clients Win Big at Restaurant Gala

BrandMill Clients Win Big at Restaurant Gala

L-R - Kevin Joyce, Stephen Wayhart, John Graf I’m proud to announce that two BrandMill clients, John Graf of the Priory Hospitality Group and Kevin Joyce of The Carlton Restaurant both won two of the three most distinguished awards from the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. John won the Wilmer S. Lapp Keystone Award and Kevin won Restaurateur of the Year! Our Winter White Wedding Campaign... [Read more]


Seven Ways to Reinvent Yourself

Seven Ways to Reinvent Yourself

OK, we’re all about 1/12th of the way through 2010 and most of our good-natured resolutions for self improvement have been broken. Fortunately, here comes a welcome, timely motivational kick in the pants from one of my marketing mentors Seth Godin that highlights seven key levers you can use to reinvent yourself such as: Connect, Be generous, Make art , Acknowledge the lizard (helped me), Ship,... [Read more]


iWant, iNeed, iGotta

iWant, iNeed, iGotta

Pancakes in a can? I’m all in! What a simple brand promise – so easy and clear to understand. Think Reddi-Whip aerosol can, but think Pancakes – maybe think both at the same time (hint – writing this during dinnertime – and, I’m a little hungry)! Anyway, I plan to try NEW Batter Blaster this weekend, after eating up it’s marvelous marketing and unique story... [Read more]


A Butt Face Marketing Lesson

A Butt Face Marketing Lesson

I just love this lawsuit kicked off by The North Face – an premium preppy outdoor apparel and gear company – vs. The South Butt – a skunk works operation run by a college kid. The North Face giant is suing the kid – Jimmy Winkelmann, a University of Missouri college student for trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition. The logos and clothing are a bit similar. And,... [Read more]


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