Alex Woodruff Biz Buzz

Feeding off the Apple brand? The owner of a small restaurant in Bonn, whose name translates as “apple child”, is facing legal action for using a logo that is apparently so similar to the Apple logo, there is a significant danger it could be “mistaken” for the global icon. Does a hugely influential brand like [...]

Self defacing advertising I have Christian to thank for this latest example from Switzerland that shows Dacia is willing to be adventurous and portray itself as a quirky brand. The press ad he saw looked like some kid or puerile pundit was trying to deface Dacia’s delicate design. The scribbles looked like graffiti. But no, [...]

While the world’s eyes were on South Africa for the World Cup, Bavaria beer from Holland (who’ve already featured on this blog for “spoofing” the classic Heineken ad) pulled off one of the highest profile examples of ambush marketing I’ve ever seen. Source: Guardian News/Andrew Boyers/Action Images The official sponsor, Budweiser, were clearly not amused. [...]

Don’t blink – it’s adiads Question: Why do the Chinese copy big brands and produce fakes of their own? Answer: Because they can. Can in the sense of “are not stopped” – by the authorities, who have obviously not got the situation under control. Can in the sense of “know how to” – having been [...]

I had my suspicions about Unilever moving towards corporate branding (see gradual packaging changes here). Well it looks like my hunch was right. Unilever declares its identity The first brand I’ve noticed publicly outing its Unilever owner – ie, showing the new logo on TV – is Lynx (Axe outside the UK). It’s taken what [...]

When markets offer so many alternatives already, it’s difficult thinking up new ideas to appeal to the over-targetted, already-satisfied customers. Apple’s approach is clear: the USP with their latest product launch is stated without hype and over-marketed image: “the world’s thinnest notebook”. The MacBook Air: So what about this one: Arrogant Bastard Ale. It’s been [...]

Screenshot source: “Dove” chocolate website Amicelli, once called Dove, once called Dove Amicelli (and a couple of other things in between) has gone back to Plan A. It’s now called Amicelli. Mars hopes that this latest move will allow all associations with body creams and cosmetics to fly off like a silent white bird into [...]

The Germans are dying out. Ok, they’re not really dying out, but the birth rate has plummeted. In fact it’s been in decline for decades. Bad news if your core target group is babies or kids. By 2035 each working person will be funding another German’s pension. Teds for grey markets To respond to the [...]

Source, screenshot from: http://www.sparks.com/home.jsp#/home I’ve heard it said that any publicity is good publicity – as long as you can repair the damage when it’s not positive. I wonder if SABMiller agree. In the states, their brand “Sparks” has been creating a ripple or two. Critics and lobbyists keen to nip teenage drinking in the [...]

Joke over. Source Ok, they got me. After trying to get my mind round what Jägermeister was up to I shall admit defeat. I fell for their trick. The “Kein Jägermeister” was a marketing strategy I’ve never seen before, so I’ve learnt a lesson or two. It looks like they were making us all believe [...]