Advertising Agency Blog - Inspired 2 Design, LLC

Here’s an FYI, if you have a logo that’s been done for your company, and you either:

1. Feel it needs some updating (Coca-Cola, Walmart, Starbucks etc.) all have updated their logo to keep up with the times and trends, or

2. Never received all the files you needed from your designer (you need an .eps file and a high res jpg at the very least), or

3. Created the logo yourself, and really always planned to have a professional one designed, or

4. Don’t have a logo mark or slogan/tagline to brand your company…

Now may be just the time to take care of issues like these. Your company, no matter how big or how small, will benefit from creating, nurturing, and promoting a brand identity. If you aren’t using your logo on EVERYTHING you put out there…you’re missing out. Inspired 2 Design can help you get your existing logo updated, formatted, and polished for use in putting your company’s best face forward.

And if you have a logo and haven’t had it federally protected under U.S. Copyright law… contact Brad Crose at Crose Law. He’s an attorney who specializes in trademarks, copyrights and patents.

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has his own marketing guru. And why not? This record-shattering American hero is worth even more millions now than he was after Athens in 2004. The ethics of sports figures making zillions really isn’t the point of this post, rather, it’s the interesting take on the brand Michael Phelps as recently reported by The Associated Press.

The AP story reported that Phelps is expecting $100 million in endorsement money over his lifetime. Wow! So how does he make this happen in the reality of these three points:
1. Point one - the Olympics only come but once every four years.
2. Point two - swimming is not typically a sport that’s in the mainstream like say… golf, baseball, basketball etc.
3. Point three - will he be swimming in 2012, or has he peaked?
These points are basically the challenges for the marketing guy. How does Michael Phelps capitalize on his current fame while spreading it out over the top brands, and make it last?

We all suffer from the same challenges as Michael Phelps. And although it’s unlikely we’ll see our businesses on 10 million Kelloggs cereal boxes, the basics are still the same:

1. Don’t jump at every opportunity to advertise, not every one is right for your brand or your target.
2. Go beyond the superficial and the traditional when looking for chances to build your brand.
3. Take advantage of the latest trends, technology and buzz.
4. Get involved in activities that go deeper than just advertising, like charity and volunteer work.

The very first step in creating a brand image/identity is selecting the name of your company, product or service. When you choose a name for a child or even a pet, you sound out different names that have a “nice ring” to them, or which have a positive connotation in your mind.

Your company name should be both simple, and memorable; but most importantly, should be unique to your business or product. The shorter the better, in fact. These days, you must also consider matching your company name to a website URL for ease of locating you online, and for brand recognition and consistency. Check the names you’re considering online to see if the .com is available. Second to .com is .net.

You may also want to consult an attorney at this point to research the availability and uniqueness of your choice and to copy protect your intellectual property by filing a trademark registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

Avoid at all costs, names that have particular meaning to you, and you alone. By no means should you need to explain what your name means or how to pronounce it. Make your name easy to pronounce, and totally recognizable as uniquely you.

Branding is critical to companies who want to succeed in their industry by gaining an edge over the competition. Developing and maintaining a powerful brand allows a you to gain market share, and helps to deter price wars as a distinction between products and services.

Building your brand is essential for the success of businesses big and small, and it all starts with a little name calling. Inspired 2 Design can help you start up your business with an identity that fits your style, your goals and your budget.