Can you feel the buzz and the excitement?! The biggest sporting event on earth will begins today in South Africa, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For those of us who follow soccer/football this is the pinnacle of the sport, where players from all over the world come to together to claim the sport’s biggest prize, the World Cup. The countries that are in the tournament have been playing qualifying matches for the last four years in order to earn their right to play. We all have our favorites to win the tournament, but it’s also a time for us to show our national pride and back our team no matter what the chances are of lifting the trophy at the end of the tournament. I for one will be proudly wearing the red white and blue this Saturday as the United States will begin their quest against England!
Speaking of colors…The flags of each nation become symbols of every national team attending the tournament. 32 countries will be in attendance. Its amazing how visual the World Cup has become. Flags, banners, face paint, jerseys, every fan in the stadium has become a walking symbol for their country. The colors of our country have become the brand we follow and display so that everyone knows who we’re shouting for.
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last few months you’ve also seen that the World Cup has become a world wide marketing phenomena. Commercials, soundtracks, concerts, shoes, clothing, internet content. The most recent final was watched by more than 715 million viewers worldwide, whereas the Super Bowl was watched by 106 million in just the U.S. Soccer stars are selling everything from shoes to underwear and are among highest paid athletes in the world. Business productivity will lower and governments will shut down just to watch (400 channels in 208 countries). So, if you don’t know what a corner kick is now you will know in the future.
The world cup was first played in 1930 and is held every four years. Since then there have been posters designed for each tournament representing the country holding the event. Being the poster junkie that I am, I would love to have several of these to display. These designs are not only something to admire visually, but they also represent a significant time in the history of the sport. The stories that unfolded at each have been told many times over. I’m excited to witness the stories that unfold in South Africa!
Tags: Branding, Color, Kurt Palmquist, Ripple Marketing
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Couldn’t let this coincidence go by. The other day Nikki here at our office sent me a link to a hilarious video. Albeit one that only type geeks could really appreciate the humor. Its a homage to the Neutraface typeface inspired by the song Poker Face by Lady GaGa. Now I’m not a huge Lady GaGa fan, but if you know anything about her, its hard not to notice her and her songs. These fellows in the video had way too much fun doing this and I’ve even caught myself with the lyrics going through my head! Don’t worry though, you won’t see me anytime soon on YouTube.
Neutra Face : An Ode On A Typeface
The next day I found out that two super giants in the telecommunications industry in the UK were combining; T-Mobile (UK) and Orange. Their new name is…Everything Everywhere, eventhough they will still be known as T-Mobile and Orange to customers. The new name itself would be an interesting discussion to have. It was developed in house with the help of some high powered agencies for both Orange and T-Mobile. The new word mark is set in none other than Neutraface italic. Now I know where to go for inspiration…YouTube parodies!
Tags: Branding, Corporate Identity, Kurt Palmquist, Logos, Ripple Marketing
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I had heard about the United Airlines merger with Continental, but hadn’t paid much attention to it given all the mergers that have been going down as of late. However as I was scanning various sites relative to corporate identity and branding I noticed that it became official this week that the two airlines merged. Along with that announcement and formal handshakes was the unveiling of their merged brands logo. Upon first glance it appeared that there was a mistake–somehow the words ‘United Airlines’ were with the Continental Airlines globe. But as I learned this arrangement was actually done on purpose. The distinctive United U was gone.
This hits closer to home for me due to the fact that since a very early stage in my career dating back to the early ‘80′s I have always admired Saul Bass who designed the distinctive U in 1973, and who also coincidentally had a hand in Continental’s early identity back in 1968. Saul Bass’ career spans over 50 years and across many different disciplines of design including films. So it is with some great sadness to see the iconic United Airlines identity brushed aside. It survived over 30 years of ups and downs in the airline industry with several updates to the type, but the U always remained.
The new arrangement seems to be a ‘what’s wrong with this picture’ puzzle more so than a real solution to the merger of two great airlines. From a visual branding perspective this presents some real problems because of the prior associations we have with these two airlines. Now where do we go? I’m confused. My only hope is that within time there will be a new identity created that will pick up where the U left off.
Tags: Branding, Corporate Identity, Kurt Palmquist, Logos
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Ripple Marketing recently redesigned ProPharma Group’s corporate website http://www.ProPharmaGroup.com.
The goal of ProPharma Group’s new website redesign was to evolve their online presence which included seamlessly integrating professional design, easy-to-use navigation, smart functionality and dynamic content management tools. The new website also extends the client’s marketing and advertising efforts by integrating key messages and visual elements from their annual advertising, email and direct mail campaigns into their website presence. This multi-channel marketing approach creates even greater brand consistency and furthers the company’s overall marketing effectiveness.
ProPharma Group is an industry leader providing validation, compliance and technical services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and related industries. They serve industry-leading clients like Abbott Laboratories, Bayer, Pfizer and Monsanto.
This website redesign project clearly demonstrates how leading companies are refocusing on their core marketing assets including redesigning their websites to have more purpose in the presence of artful website design. We work with our clients to help them strike a carefully managed balance between the elements of purpose, design, systems integration and fluid content management. Or more simply put, many of our clients want less Flash and more substance in their websites - a strategy worth copying.
Tags: Ripple Marketing, Websites
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Armani, Cavalli Go Online to Boost Holiday Sales (Update1) – Bloomberg.com.
By Chiara Remondini and Armorel Kenna
Nov. 30 (Bloomberg) — Italian fashion houses including Giorgio Armani SpA and Valentino Fashion Group SpA, which have traditionally spurned the Internet, are testing Web stores this holiday season in a quest for new sources of revenue.
The worst recession since World War II and Italian acceptance of Internet buying — even for big-ticket items — is sparking greater use of Web shops in the luxury-goods industry. Designer Roberto Cavalli and shoemaker Salvatore Ferragamo SpA have both opened e-stores in the past five weeks.
“I expect a significant boom in online luxury sales during the Christmas period,” said Alessandro Perego, a professor in charge of research on e-commerce at Milan Politecnico’s School of Management. “In the past year the number of Web sites has increased substantially. I expect growth rates in 2010 to match or beat this year’s.”
Younger, more Internet-savvy consumers and “luxury shame” that’s causing customers to shun boutiques are contributing to a boom in online fashion sales. Web sales of Italian luxury goods are expected to soar 42 percent to 335 million euros ($500 million) this year, according to a study by Politecnico. That beats a 6 percent decline to 3.48 billion euros for the overall industry in a survey by fashion consultant Carlo Pambianco.
Feeling Guilty
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Autentico Italiano, eCommerce, Italy
Posted in Flat Earth Imports/Autentico Italiano, U.S. Import, Wholesale & Retail Trends, Uncategorized | No Comments »
by Kitch Walker
Recently, Mountain-Pacific Quality Healthcare Foundation (MPQHF) engaged Ripple Marketing to conduct a statewide telephone survey in Montana. The market survey targeted hospitals and clinics throughout Montana and was designed to learn more about the use of electronic health records (EHR) in these organizations. This information will be used to apply for Federal grants for Montana under the new stimulus packages. This market survey was part of a comprehensive environmental scan being conducted by MPQHF in Montana. In past years, Ripple Marketing has supported MPQHF with environmental scans in Alaska, Montana and Hawaii.
This survey project also extends to a broader initiative being undertaken by HealthShare Montana, a consortium of Montana healthcare leaders and stakeholders with representatives from state government, major payers, consumer groups, large and small healthcare facilities and individual physicians. HealthShare Montana has been designated by Gov. Schweitzer as the Montana organization responsible for the development of a statewide health information exchange (HIE) infrastructure.
Janice Conners, MPQHF CEO, commented “Thanks so much Kitch….I am very pleased with how your organization moved quickly and efficiently to help us to organize our thoughts, develop survey questions and complete the survey. I will definitely use you for our future projects.”
Tags: Environmental Scan, Kitch Walker, Market Research
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by Kitch Walker
The team at Ripple Marketing recently launched a new website (http://www.MilesnickRecreation.com) for long-time friends and clients Tom and Mary Kay Milesnick, owners of MZBar (MZ-) Cattle Company and Milesnick Recreation Company. The newly developed website replaces their original website which was also done by Ripple Marketing almost 10 years ago.
The new website strikes a balance between simplicity, sophisticated design and smart functionality. It integrates dynamic content management tools that allow the Milesnick’s to easily update and manage a variety of content within their site over time. The goal was simple – to build a beautiful, yet smart, website that helps the Milesnick’s provide meaningful and engaging content to site visitors. Plus, they’re hoping it will last another 10 years.
MZBar (MZ-) Cattle Company and Milesnick Recreation Company are home to a working ranch and one of Montana’s premier spring creek, fly-fishing experiences near Bozeman, Montana. Their family’s ranching and stewardship practices are world renowned….[Learn More]
We encourage you to visit their new website and learn more about the Milesnick’s. You may even want to book a time to do some fishing on the Ranch. Tell ‘em Ripple Marketing sent ya.
Tags: Ripple Marketing, Websites
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Ripple MarketingSM recently moved their headquarters to 194 Northstar Lane in Bozeman, Montana, USA. Ripple Marketing, an internationally recognized strategic operations, marketing and branding firm, is now co-located with its associate company, Flat Earth Imports®. Simultaneously, through its team of specialists and strategic partners, the firm has also expanded its operations internationally, beginning with two affiliate locations in Italy.
According to Kitch Walker, President and Cofounder of both companies, “The re-location in Bozeman, Montana and the expanding operations in Italy allow us to fully realize the synergies we have been cultivating between Ripple Marketing and Flat Earth Imports for the past three years in import/export services for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs/SMBs).” He continues, “With globalization truly affecting small and big business alike, we found it was imperative to evolve, adapt and expand our business model to help our clients bring about their desired results, both domestically and internationally.”
For more information or inquiries call +1 406.585.8168 or visit http://www.RippleMarketing.com.
To learn more about Flat Earth Imports visit: http://www.FlatEarthImports.com
View Photos of Ripple Marketing | Flat Earth Imports USA Headquarters below
Tags: Flat Earth Imports, Ripple Marketing
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