Brand Champions

Brand Champion of the Day-William Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid

Talk about a time-tested brand, William Bonney, also known as Billy the Kid. As a westerner and a historian, I have been curious about the role William Bonney has played in the folklore of the American Old West most of my professional life. He is one of the most famous "outlaws" of the 1800s. His killing of Lincoln County New Mexico  Sheriff, William Brady in 1878 has garnered attention ever since.

Now that he is up for parole today, the William Bonner brand has gained renewed attention. As of this writing the decision was still up in the air. Most people who have responded to polls on the debate have favored his pardon. Outgoing New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has until midnight tonight to give the thumbs up or down on this historic decision. Incoming Governor, Susana Martinez has said she has more important things to worry about than whether or not Billy the Kid should be pardoned.

It will be interesting to see what impact the decision has on the Bill Richardson brand, and how history will deal with the decision. No matter what side of the aisle one stands on the pardon, hard to argue that there is not a more well known personal brand than Billy the Kid. No matter what the pardon decision, today, William Bonney, a.k.a Billy the Kid is the Brand Champion of the Day.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Joe Paterno Enhances University Brand

Still rocking and rolling at age 84, head football coach, Joe Paterno leads the Penn State University Nittany Lions to the Outback Bowl on January 1. This is Paterno's 45th year as top dog. In other words, I have been a champion of the Paterno brand since I was 10 years old. Here is another interesting stat, his opponent's head coach (for one more game) is just about as old as Paterno has been coaching.

There comes along a few incredible people who enhance organizational brands. I think about Richard Branson who heads the Virgin Group, and in sport John Wooden, former basketball head coach for UCLA. These people transcend their positions and often their organizations. They are models of personal brands who enhance their organization's brands. In some cases, they periodically supersede the organization brand.

Here is hoping that Joe Paterno coaches until he is ninety. I think I might be in the minority, but why not? It will be interesting to see the impact of his retiring has on the university brand.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

 

 

Oregon Ducks Football and Nike Create Co-Branding Model

Since 1996 the University of Oregon and Nike have joined forces to create contemporary uniforms for the institution's football team. This year the team wore different uniforms in each of its twelve games. The team has four helmuts, five jerseys, four sets of pants, four pairs of socks and four different shoes. Apparently that creates 1,280 distinct visual representations of the Oregon Ducks brand.

The result? A perfect record. A perfect brand. At least thus far. The team is 12-0. On January 10 the University of Oregon plays Auburn University for the collegiate national championship. In that game the Oregon Ducks football team will once again be sporting new uniforms, including neon yellow socks. The arrangement appears to be a great model for co-branding.

Nike gets to push the fashion envelope with its design of uniforms, and the University of Oregon enhances its higher education brand as a forward-thinking institution. The financial arrangement helps the university, while Nike benefits from revenue when other colleges and universities like what they see. The end game? An opportunity to recruit and retain the right brand champions for both organizations. An effective higher education and business brand strategy.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Brand Matters Today at www.krfcfm.org

In my world brand matters everyday. But, today brand is especially important because Brand Matters is the title of the Internet radio show that I will be a part of at 5:30 pm Mountain Standard Time in the United States. I will be joining host, Lindsay Woods for her Tuesday Talk Show. We will be discussing a range of topics related to brand.

I hope your schedule will allow spending some time listening in today. If you want to learn more about personal and organizational brands, then join us. If you are engaged in the brand development process already, perhaps there will be a new nugget or two that you can add to your arsenal. If you know someone who is interested in brand, and who isn't, then encourage them to listen in too. Each topic will be related to recruiting and retaining brand champions.

All you need to do is go to www.krfcfm.org , click on the listen button and then click on the appropriate stream link. Of course you will need to download your Windows Media Player or comprible if you have not done so in order to listen. If you live in the Northern Colorado area you can also listen on your FM dial at 88.9. I look forward to 2011 when everyone will realize that brand matters. Have a great holiday week!

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Brand Champions of the Day-Metallica

What? You have got to be kidding! I am sure that is the reaction of the champions of my brand when they read this headline. I am not known as a heavy metal guy. They are right, I am not. I am a classical rock person, with an occasional country, classical music or hip-hop moment. But I am a champion of the Metallica brand. In particular I am a fan of one of their most popular songs, Enter Sandman. Of course I have known about Metallica for as long as they have been around. But I did not connect with them until I was introduced to Enter Sandman.

I do not recall when I first heard the song. But I do recall thinking it was interesting, so I downloaded onto my playlist. My Blackberry and my ear buds are my travel companions on airplanes and often during long flights I hear Enter Sandman. After hearing it many times, the song began unlocking memories from my past. I guess you could call it a multi-sensory brand experience. For me the rifts and the line, exit light, enter night resonated. Any good brand should be memorable.

After unlocking some of my past, I hope Metallica don't mind, but for me my favorite line has been switched to exit night, enter light. For the legion of brand champions that you have recruited and retained over the years, as well as what one of your songs has done for me personally, Metallica, you are the Brand Champions of the Day!

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

 

 

 

 

 

College Brands Shoot Craps, Come Up Empty

Two years ago voters in my state overwhelmingly passed an amendment to approve gambling revenues go to the state's community college system. I was one of the few who voted against the measure. As someone who has spent his career in education and helping schools and systems of schools develop smart minds to make intelligent choices, I thought co-branding gambling and learning was an oximoron. I still do. Apparently I was right.

A few days ago I read in my weekly copy of the Denver Business Journal that revenues to community colleges via blackjack have fallen significant short of projections. Surprise! That is what happens when brands look at money, especially what appears to be quick-fix money, as the key to a sustainable brand. In this case it was fool's gold. Building a sustainable brand is about recruiting and retaining brand champions based on mission, core values and stakeholder engagement. It is not about hoping that more people in a bad economy will go gamble their hard earned money away.

From pre-school through higher education we teach students the importance of wise decision-making. We hope that they will grasp how to invest their resources to make a return on their investment. What message is sent when those in higher education advocate revenues based on gambling? What message is sent when voters approve such a measure? The wrong message. Risk-taking should be based on informed decision-making, not an impulsive gamble.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Christmas Connects Brand Champions

Today Christians around the world are connected by ways that they believe represent the essence of Christmas. To most we are connected by our faith. Others focus more on giving, while still others like retailers are assessing the impact that this holiday has on their bottom line. Even those of other faiths are connected with their friends who are Christians. No matter your instincts, today is a day that brings us together.

In years past I have experienced all of the connections listed above. This year I am concentrating on my spiritual side and thinking about the gifts that have been brought to me. I am especially thinking about the multitude of wonderful eople who I have met over the past few years as a result of the work I do as an education brand consultant. Many of whom are educators who work at Catholic Schools. Today it is appropriate to recognize those champions of their school brands.

I am also thinking about the incredible time we live in, times when we can share our thoughts of joy and peace with anyone who has an Internet connection and is a holiday blogger!

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

 

Brand Champions of the Day-Volunteers

I know many people are volunteering today and tomorrow as part of their Christmas celebrations around the world. Christmas eve and Christmas day are special for a large population on the globe. Many in the Christian faith and those who have beliefs from other faiths will be taking time to serve those in need as serve food to people in homeless shelters, relieve medical staff in hospitals and provide other worthy contributions.

As I draft one of my final brand champion of the day posts for the year, I thought about what is truly important. Maybe it is the holiday season, perhaps the close of another year, or considering what it means to be a brand champion, today seems like the appropriate time to recognize those who volunteer. When you think about it, a brand champion is someone who is committed to the mission and core values of an organization.

Volunteers in many ways are synonymous with brand champions. For those of you who volunteer your time and services to those who need your help, you are the Brand Champions of the Day!

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Next Tuesday I Will Share Why I Think Brand Matters

Brand Matters is the topic for The Tuesday Talk Show on KRFC, 88.9 FM, next Tuesday, December 28. The Tuesday Talk Show is an on air magazine where, guests talk about things that matter. As you know, I think brand matters. Next Tuesday, host, Lindsay Woods will be interviewing yours truly at which time I will share my experiences about why I think brand matters on a personal, professional and organizational level.

I will be addressing why we increasingly hear more and more about brands, and how brands can effectively recruit and retain brand champions. I will talk about the relationship between brands individually, departmentally and organizationally. I anticipate we will have time to talk about the impact the economy and social media have on brands.

I hope your schedule will allow listening on your radio at 88.9 FM for those of you who are in Northern Colorado. For those of you who are outside the radio listening area, and even if you are not, and want to check in via the Internet, simply go to www.krfcfm.org and click on the listen button in the upper right hand corner of the home page. The show will air live at 5:30 pm Mountain Standard Time in the United States. Feel free to invite others who think brand matters to listen in.

In the meantime, safe travels and happy holidays.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group

Brand Champions of the Day-UConn Huskie Women's Basketball

Yesterday the University of Connecticut women's basketball team tied a the UCLA men's basketball program from the last century as the longest winning streak in U.S. college basketball. This is one of the longest winning streaks of any major program in sport. I am sure there is a Little League program or bowler who has won more, but this is quite an accomplishment.

The UConn Huskies program is one of the most successful sport programs on Earth. It seems like forever that they have been victory bound on the hard court. Since I can remember following women's basketball, the team seems to be at or near the top of the rankings.

For creating an incredible higher education brand, the UConn Huskies women's basketball program is the Brand Champion of the Day. I imagine a growing number of brand champions this week.

Rex Whisman

BrandED Consultants Group