Unhealthy
Politics aside, sounds like the Obama administration dropped the ball repeatedly when it came to positioning health care reform with the right messages. First, how could your lead attorney go before the Supreme Court seemingly unprepared to clearly and decisively answer questions about the “individual mandate” you knew the Justices were going to ask? Daniel […]
Crate name
Everyday naming brilliance: “The Goddagidda-way” micro-shelter (aka “The Homeless Hut”). Not to mention the description: “a micro homeless shelter, pre-fab treehouse/treefort, and/or indoor escape cube all-in-one.” Read more about the creator here.
Dishing dirt
Somewhere on a shady neighborhood street in the East Village you’ll find a vegetarian restaurant called Dirt Candy. I haven’t tried the food; the only thing I’ve sampled is owner Amanda Cohen’s marketing but that’s tasty enough (even when it isn’t always sweet)—for a couple of reasons. First, it reminded me quickly again how the […]
To wit
I have no idea what the likely longevity of Twitter is—these days technologies catch fire and disappear pretty rapidly. But you have to marvel at the ecosystem that has sprung up around the Twitter phenomenon, the clever riffs on the name that others have created, what all this has meant for the Twitter brand. Can […]
Shack attack
I add my own two cents to this now overdiscussed subject to emphasize one point: “to thine own self be true.” Here’s what Radio Shack CMO Lee Applbaum said about the launch of The Shack campaign: “Trust is a critical attribute of any successful retailer, and the reality is that most people trust friends, not […]
Message chaos
No matter where you stand on the issue of healthcare/health insurance reform, you have to admit that the Obama administration has done a terrible marketing job. Few understand the various plans under discussion. The administration has been forced onto the defensive by aggressive opposition, and their attempts at clarification have largely been useless. It is […]
Safeway, Part 2
Yes, more adventures, this time at a different store. Exactly the same checkout experience, namely, swipe my Visa card, get prompted by the payment terminal to answer yes or no, did I want to donate to a good cause? Then asked by the cashier all over again at the end, “Would you like to donate […]
Checking out
When it comes to creating great customer experiences, the devil is in the details. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that the details are tricky. It does mean that flawed details in the overall experience can make life momentarily—well, maybe “hellish” is too strong. Take Safeway’s checkout process. I like Safeway; I go there a lot. […]
No joke
Aisle surfing at Trader Joe’s I saw a package of cereal bars named “this apple walks into a bar…” Yes, “this blueberry (et al) walks into a bar…” too. My first reaction, which I assume was the right one, was to bust out laughing. Second reaction: stuff a few packages into my cart!… Next thought, […]
Facebookin’
Recently we’ve been spending a lot of time on Facebook, riffing and reconnecting. Must be something in the spring air. Here’s a link to check us out in that part of of the world – StealThunder on Facebook.
