The Corporate Brand: Help or Hindrance?†

Lilypad Hotels and Resorts may rebrand its boutique properties under the corporate name. Will customers and hotel managers buy in—or simply check out?

Harvard Business Review, February 1, 2008 — Andre Cleary absentmindedly fidgeted with the bottle of melatonin tablets in his left hand, lightly jiggling the pills with each twitch of his wrist. He had hoped to catch up on some much-needed sleep during the 20-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro—this being the final leg of a six-week series of meet and greets that had taken the CEO of Lilypad Hotels and Resorts across the continental United States, over to the Middle East, and now to South America. He sat comfortably in the first-class cabin of a 767, loafers under the seat, pillow poised to do its job.

Executives Get the Blogging Bug†

More CEOs Openly Post Their Views on Work, Life; The Tale of a Colonoscopy

Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2007 — The Internet can be a dangerous place — even for a CEO. John Mackey, chairman and chief executive of Whole Foods Market Inc. is the latest to learn that lesson, after he was revealed this week as the author, under a pseudonym, of pro-Whole Foods comments on an Internet stock-message board. Mr. Mackey also maintains a blog that has attracted the attention of federal antitrust regulators.

What Price Reputation?

Many savvy companies are starting to realize that a good name can be their most important asset—and actually boost the stock price

BusinessWeek, July 9, 2007 — A recent print ad by United Technologies Corp. (UTX ) looks deceptively like an assembly diagram for a model helicopter. Study it more closely, however, and you'll notice that the color schematic of UTC's Sikorsky S-92 copter is embedded with messages aimed at Wall Street.

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.

Twitter while you work...

JaffeJuice, May 11, 2007 — Earlier this week, I challenged Delta to stop talking about change and change already! I criticized a bloated 30-second spot which essentially says, "we're changing", but offers no proof. In addition, it sets them up for failure with typical mismatched expecations between communication and ground-level activation (service, baggage handling, delays, comfort - I could go on)

My point was simple: instead of telling us you're changing, why not prove it to us? Why not update us regularly with - for example - a Twitter group.

The best new business ideas we've covered in 2006

Springwise Newsletter, January 16, 2007 — Over the past few weeks, we've picked our favorites from the new business ideas we covered in 2006. Not because we're particularly fond of reminiscing, but because we're convinced these innovative concepts still offer plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking to start something new in 2007.

National Football Intrigue

Hub, January 6, 2007 — Despite its success- or maybe because of it - the NFL is rarely thought of as innovative. Lisa Baird, the NFL's senior VP of consumer products and marketing, readily admits that the league is not exactly a bastion of new ides, but just as readily asserts that she is out to change that.

How to Keep Your School From Being Brand X†

Wall Street Journal, December 12, 2006 — The Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, has long taught about the power and importance of branding.

Conglomerates Conundrum†

Wall Street Journal, September 14, 2006 — When It Comes to Ads Aimed at Investors, How Do You Put a Face on the Faceless

Best Global Brands

BusinessWeek, August 7, 2006 — BW list of top brands for 2006