November 2011
3 posts
This is going to be the next big thing. →
This new product called UP by Jawbone is pretty amazing. Tracks you movements, sleep patterns and eating habits…and I think that’s only the tip of the iceberg in what this could eventually do for people’s health and wellness.
April 2011
1 post
March 2011
3 posts
February 2011
2 posts
November 2010
3 posts
What do ya say? →
If you have kids there’s no doubt you’ve asked them that question hundreds of times. It usually comes after someone has given them something and they’ve forgotten to say “Thank You.” So, the…
Don't burn your brand into your company so fast →
What’s the first thing you do when you’re starting a new business? The first thing should be doing some thing. Some thing like figuring out what you’re selling. Or fine-tuning a business plan….
Let's learn a business lesson of political ads... →
If political advertising teaches us anything, it’s that advertising is an effective form of brand building. For many, politicians are considered the bottom feeders of society. Why? The negative ads…
September 2010
1 post
iNeedanewname →
Lot of fuss around the internet about iTunes’ new logo. In fact I see Wired is doing a contest to redesign the “ugly” icon. I’m not all that bothered by the new logo. It’s the name…
July 2010
3 posts
The day Miller Brewing Co. asked our client to... →
I enjoy following the Brand New blog. Pretty much every day they feature a company that has gone through an identity change. They also provide an interesting insight into the before and…
Dan Gilbert's letter sends a clear message...about... →
Before I get too into this, I must say that I probably would have written a similar letter. I probably would have thrown things against the wall as my temper oozed from my fingertips to keyboard. But…
Watch
June 2010
3 posts
Pick Three: Service, culture and profits →
The saying goes: Good, cheap and quick. Pick two. I first heard that line early in my career and there probably isn’t a more accurate statement when it comes to providing a service. The other night…
Rules are meant to be broken... →
There’s a common phrase out there in the design world: you can break the rules as long as you first know what they are. Every now and then that comes to mind and it popped up again…
When things don't go perfectly...it's how we react →
A lot of things happened last night in Detroit at Comerica Park. Rather than witnessing history’s 21st perfect game it was more like a perfect storm. And in all that craziness there is a lot to be…
May 2010
5 posts
Internal branding: Treat people well and don't let... →
During the past couple of months I’ve witnessed some pretty interesting things happening on the inside of some fairly large companies. I listen to the whispers: “she’s not good for this company.” “He…
Max: Did you know heaven is the best place in the world?
Me: Yeah. Do you know who's in heaven?
Max: Jesus...and some other old people.
This is what I've been working on...
I love coming up with new ideas and mostly ideas that revolve around a better way of doing business. After all, it’s my job and I have loved what I’ve done for 10 and a half years now at SOZO | Pivotal. I certainly don’t plan on stopping.
Every client and every project is a new opportunity to do something new and innovative — whether it’s working alongside an entrepreneur...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_NhwoRKpi4&feature=... →
Awesome!
You're only as good as your last... →
Apple has sold 1 million iPads in it’s first 28 days on the market. That’s an incredible number — especially when measured against the first month sales of its siblings, the iPod and…
April 2010
2 posts
The end of Flash: Another tool that can no longer... →
It’s amazing how quickly things come and go in this age of technology. A killer app or product is nothing to take for granted, because in no time at all it could turn into a killed app.
Does your business have a good reason? No? Why... →
It doesn’t matter if it’s an employee or a vendor, everyone should have a solid reason for the things they do. Otherwise, quite frankly, what they’re doing is just a hobby. Why should be asked…
March 2010
1 post
If you're ready...then just do it. →
I absolutely love Nike’s “Just Do It” tagline. I also really like Harley Davidson’s “Screw It. Let’s Ride.” Regardless of how effective these rallying cries are for the companies that…
February 2010
5 posts
“You should be. Only pitchers and catchers have reported.”
– - White Sox bench coach Joey Cora, in response to Andruw Jones’ proclamation, “I’m the best center fielder in camp.”
(via alcentral) (via onemoretimewithfeeling)
Be real
We’ve all made mistakes. Some bigger than others and some more public than others. I don’t think it’s our place to judge Tiger Woods, or any other human being for that matter.
What I am going to judge is how ridiculous a prepared, word-for-word statement sounds when the intent was to provide a sincere apology. Quite frankly, Woods didn’t owe us anything. We’re not...
Are you ready? →
I’m talking to business owners and entrepreneurs everyday. Some are new while others are seasoned professionals in their industry. One thing they all have in common is that they realize the…
Xfinity: The next new name you'll hate? →
Why would a company like Comcast — one that holds such enormous marketshare in the cable television industry — change its name? I laugh as I ask that question, because it’s pretty obvious…
January 2010
5 posts
Game Changers →
One of the biggest starting points for any successful brand strategy is identifying what differentiates you from the competition — especially in a busy industry. It’s a tough question and one that…
Protecting your brand name and identity →
One action that is often dusted under the carpet during the excitement of creating and rolling out a new name or corporate identity is the very necessary step of legally protecting that which is…
Happy New Year... →
It’s probably a bit late to do a Happy New Year post, but I’ll give it a shot. As you may have noticed it’s been a little quiet here on the SOZO | Pivotal blog front. Let’s just say we’ve been…
Happy New Year!
At the end of every year “experts” like to come up with trends that they believe will spring into our lives in the coming year. I typically enjoy reading those blog posts, but I’m going to take a stab at a list of trends that I hope will die, or at least be on the way out in 2010.
Personal Branding — Something about this has always rubbed me the wrong way. So, no better time...
December 2009
1 post
Celebrity Sponsorships Have Never Made Sense to Me →
What if all this media hysteria surrounding Tiger Woods isn’t necessarily true? What if it was a Buick Enclave that bumped into the tree and fire hydrant? And what if it all happened while…
November 2009
4 posts
It seems like everyone loves a new logo →
You need not be involved in the marketing business to have heard that AOL is becoming Aol. with a whole new corporate identity and logo and we’re assuming brand strategy. No, you didn’t…
High cost to produce doesn't validate high price →
When we start talking to a client about their service or product one of the first questions we ask is: how do you come up with your price? It’s a fully loaded and important question….
Stand above your competition; don't kick 'em →
It still amazes me that brands continue to take the approach of slamming the competition in order to get their point across. I just don’t get it. It seems like the easy way to make a TV spot or…
Is Disney messing with its story? →
It looks like Mickey Mouse is going under the knife for a makeover. Some would argue that changing this icon is the worst thing Disney could possibly do. I don’t think it’s necessarily a…
October 2009
2 posts
1 tag
Easy money
So with the World Series upon us, how long ago was it now that the Tigers lost that play-in game at Minnesota? Nearly a month, right?
What I’m about to outline here might piss you off more than the fact that the Tigers failed miserably down the stretch — especially if you purchased playoff tickets.
The deadline for purchasing tickets was September 12 — more than half a month before the...
Automotive Hall of Fame recognizes SOZO | Pivotal... →
We say it a lot, but the best clients and greatest success stories are with those who are passionate about their business. Without exception that is always the case. So it’s pretty exciting…
September 2009
2 posts
No you're not! →
The worst thing you can do in a branding campaign is tell someone you’re something that you’re not. So with that in mind when was the last time you thought Yahoo! as the “home on the web”? Exactly.
Typecast typefaces →
I must admit that I noticed it immediately. It was probably a week or so before my RSS feeder blew up from all the hysteria: IKEA’s decision to drop the use of Futura in favor of Verdana in its…
August 2009
5 posts
WatchThe Armada Fair and demolition derby.
Why I love summer
So far this Saturday has been a pretty productive day. As I was doing some cleaning around the house I decided to take a break, jump on the bike and go for a ride.
I headed north into the farmlands of Macomb County and couldn’t help but daydream a bit—something I don’t particularly recommend while riding a two-wheeled bike 60 mph.
Riding those back country roads and seeing the corn...
Be the competition →
Have you heard about Starbucks’ new concept store called 15th Avenue Coffee and Tea? When I first learned about the initiative a few months back I thought it was another shot at trying to regain a…
Woodward Dream Cruise changes logo...again →
What’s one way of confusing sponsors, alienating the public and blowing thousands of dollars? How about unveiling three logos in as many years? That’s what the Woodward Dream Cruise did…