Turning to Tie-Ins, Lego Thinks Beyond the Brick

Lego has rebuilt itself, but its new Hollywood-themed products are a far cry from the purely imagination-oriented play that drove the company for years

New York Times, September 6, 2009 — FROM the outside, there is nothing playful about the drab, two-story Lego Idea House here, where designers gather in whitewashed rooms to dream up new toys. But upstairs, behind a series of locked doors accessible only to employees with special passes, is a chamber that might as well be toy heaven for kids — and more than a few adults.

Multicolored Lego creations in every imaginable size and shape spill from the shelves, from Indiana Jones’s biplane to Darth Vader’s fighter. Boxes stamped “confidential” hold potential future blockbusters, like Buzz Lightyear, the hero of the “Toy Story” animated films, as well as a police station bustling with miniature cops and robbers.

Brandinavia: Why Nordic Brands Rule

Brandchannel.com, July 13, 2009 — How did this small geographic area in northern Europe, comprised of countries with little political capital, become such a branding powerhouse? The story starts around AD 900, according to the book The Viking Manifesto: The Scandinavian Approach to Business and Blasphemy by Steve Strid and Claes Andreasson (Marshall Cavendish, 2008). The authors point to the Vikings as the admittedly barbaric forerunners of contemporary Vikings: “The Viking is more soft spoken, but alive and well. Without any army to speak of, they still invade with a better idea and a new approach to marketing, advertising, culture and corporate culture.” The book’s premise is interesting: that the Viking philosophy survived and has been updated, resulting in modern business success.

Inside the Lego-plex: No Wonder They Hatch Such Great Ideas

Fast Company, March 9, 2009 — Lego is one of the world's most creative companies. What kind of office is equal to the task of housing its development staff? Here's a peek inside the company's work space, designed by Bosch & Fjord. It's clever enough, with mildly wacky touches that recall dotcom offices, circa 1999. But there is a strong, overarching design principle at work: Notice how many meeting spaces there are. That's intentional, but it's also a move backed by sociology.

How Apple, Others Have Cultivated Religious Followings†

Nine Components That Powerfully Engaging Brands Share With Religion

Advertising Age, December 8, 2008 — Having spent years talking with brand fans — from obsessed Harley-Davidson riders to devoted Guinness drinkers to young Hello Kitty admirers (one of whom owns more than 12,000 pieces of Hello Kitty merchandise) — I've been struck by the power brands have over their followers. But can the apparent parallels between brands and religion possibly hold up? Have some brands actually managed to create their own religions by, coincidentally or deliberately, adopting triggers and tactics from the world of religion?

Where Do the Best Ideas Come From? The Unlikeliest Sources†

Peers, Suppliers Can Spark Some Great Innovations for Marketers

Advertising Age, July 17, 2008 — There's a "secret sauce," as a friend would put it, to creating a recipe that works for serving up innovation success. But if businesses have trouble getting it quite right, it's because they're short on a critical ingredient: inspiration.

Dispelling the Myths about Open Innovation

Prophet, June 24, 2008 — When it comes to seizing the power of innovation to drive business growth, one of the best routes to success — based on practices of leaders on this front — is through Open Innovation. But while the concept is increasingly familiar and many organizations are eager to position themselves to harness its potential, considerable confusion exists around what Open Innovation is and what it isn’t.

Create a Stage That Attracts Your Very Own Brand Posse

In-Store Details: Keep Consumers Connected With Retail Evangelists

CMO Strategy by AdAge, July 23, 2007 — Gap's fall from grace is almost legendary, its missteps numerous — bad product, lack of differentiation and confusing store design, to name a few. Its struggle reminds us that it takes more than style, logo or store design alone to sustain a brand. What works is a combined experience. Knowing how to pull the strings on sometimes intangible assets can make huge differences in appeal for consumers — and for Wall Street.

Latest 'Indiana Jones' Film Digs Up More Products†

Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2007 — When Harrison Ford returns as Indiana Jones next year, he will have more accessories than just a rumpled fedora and leather whip. For the first time, the action-adventure archaeologist will carry a plethora of products, from Lego sets to special packages of M&M's.

The world’s most reputable companies

These business have products consumers want — and their trust

Forbes, May 23, 2007 — With all the bad news recently about corporate scandals you might be forgiven for wondering which companies actually have good reputations. For the eighth year, Reputation Institute, a New York City-based consultancy and research firm, conducted a study to find the answer. This year's winner is Lego. Yes, Lego, the 70-year-old Danish toy manufacturer, scored No. 1 of 600 companies worldwide.

Some brands can stand alone

Business 2.0, September 21, 2005 — More and more manufacturers are opening their own stores. Here's what allows some to thrive while others fail.