Monday, December 16, 2019

What Are Your Favorite New Year's Brands?

The December holidays are within view, and this means that the new year is on the horizon ripe with resolutions and exciting opportunities.

When you think of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, there are many brands that come to mind. Which brands are your faves? Here are five of mine.

DOM P
ÉRIGNON
Many of us drink in the new year with champagne, and while a bottle may cost several hundred dollars - and the most costly bottle has been known to cost $42,000 - Dom Pérignon is the world's most well-known champagne.

For some interesting facts about Dom Pérignon, visit: https://vinepair.com/articles/14-facts-dom-perignon-champagne.

CITY OF NEW YORK

Every year on the final day of the year, everyone's attention is on the city known as "The Big Apple." New York City has hosted a memorable New Year's Eve party every year since 1907, with the exception of 1942 and 1943. Hundreds of thousands flock to Times Square to watch a truly brilliant event: the crystal ball drop as the final seconds of the year tick away toward midnight, ushering in a new year. According to the Times Square website: "Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watch the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world's symbolic welcome to the New Year."

WATERFORD
The famous ball drop at New York City's Times Square is comprised of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that vary in size. According to the Times Square website: "For Times Square 2020, 192 Waterford Crystal triangles introduce the new Gift of Goodwill design of three pineapples signifying the traditional image of hospitality and goodwill. 192 are the Gift of Harmony design of small rosette cuts flowing into each other in beautiful harmony. 192 are the Gift of Serenity design of butterflies flying peacefully above a crystal meadow capturing the spirit of serenity. 192 are the Gift of Kindness design consisting of a circle of rosettes symbolizing unity with the fronds reaching out in an expression of kindness. 192 are the Gift Of Wonder design composed by a faceted starburst inspiring our sense of wonder. 192 are the Gift of Fortitude design of diamond cuts on either side of a crystal pillar to represent the inner attributes of resolve, courage and spirit necessary to triumph over adversity. The remaining 1,728 triangles are the Gift of Imagination design with a series of intricate wedge cuts that are mirrored reflections of each other inspiring our imagination."

For a myriad of fun facts about the history of the Times Square Ball, visit: https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/nye-history-times-square-ball.

CITY OF PASADENA
After the world's attention leaves New York City on December 31st, it turns to America's west coast, specifically a Southern California suburb of Los Angeles. Home to approximately 140,000, Pasadena's population swells to the hundreds of thousands, possibly even a million, each year on January 1st. The city's main street is Colorado Boulevard, and that is where the action begins around 8am every January 1st.

ROSE PARADE

The attraction on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California, is the annual Rose Parade, hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. According to Wikipedia, "First held on January 1, 1890, hundreds of thousands of spectators watch the Rose Parade in person, and millions more watch it on television - both in the U.S. and in more than 100 international territories and countries worldwide. The Rose Bowl college football game was added in 1902 to help fund the cost of staging the parade. Since 2011, Honda sponsors the Rose Parade. Accordingly, the company has the parade's first float, which like all floats, follows the parade's theme."

During 2020, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. With this in mind, here are some women's and girls' equality brands:
* League of Women Voters
* National Women's History Museum
* National Organization for Women (NOW)
* Equality Now
* She Should Run
* UN Women
* Gender at Work 
* Women's Foundation of California
* Step Up
* American Civil Liberties Union

What new year's brands stand out to you as you get ready to begin 2020?


Image Credit: Dom P
érignon, City of New York, Waterford, Rose Parade, and City of Pasadena via Layout app.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

What's Your Favorite Holiday Brand?

With the holiday season well underway, what brands stand out? What brands use clever words or spokespeople for unique holiday marketing or advertising campaigns? What brands do you embrace every December? What brands symbolize a happy and healthy holiday season?

There are some brands that announce holiday time to me, and I'd like to share five of them.

[1] COCA-COLA
One of the world's most iconic brands features special spokespeople, or in this case, spokes-bears during the holidays. Polar bears and their friends appear and always create heartwarming smiles.

[2] M&M'S
A chocolate favorite throughout the year, M&M's features red and green candy especially for the Christmas holiday.

[3] TIFFANY & CO
Tiffany & Company has long been synonymous with diamond rings that come in little blue boxes. But during the holiday season, the best holiday traditions arrive in little blue boxes.

[4] MATTEL
This toy brand unveils an annual "Holiday Barbie." According to the Barbie website, "For decades, the Holiday Barbie doll has embodied the spirit of a season marked by wonder and celebration. 2019 Holiday Barbie doll shines in an elegant gown with red and white holiday print and silvery sparkle detail. A beautiful bow adorns the gown’s shoulder and complements a dramatic red train. ‘Tis the season to smile wider, hug your loved ones a little tighter and savor that magical holiday spirit. Reflecting the sparkle and jubilation of holiday festivities, 2019 Holiday Barbie doll is the definitive celebration of a season full of love."

[5] HONDA
When you wish someone happy holidays, if you work for Honda, the phrase becomes "Happy Honda Days." This catchy phrase has been in our advertising lingo for many years, and it represents car sales at Honda dealerships from November through early January each year.

What about you? What brands stand out in a very crowded marketplace, especially during the holidays? I posit that the holidays present an exciting opportunity to stand far apart from the competition and win customers not just during the holiday season but all year long.



Image Credit: Layout app featuring Mattel, Honda, Tiffany & Co., M&M's, and Coca-Cola.