Does Wrangler Have a Brett Favre Problem?

So, probably many people are familiar with the scandal swirling around NFL player Brett Favre who got into trouble sending inappropriate messages and pictures to Jenn Sterger. Favre is a spokesman for Wrangler jeans. The problem is that people started questioning if he is a right person to be a spokesperson for the brand. It's asked if this is the image that Wrangler wants to portray? I think there is nothing wrong with it. I think Wrangler would actually benefit from it. Favre has all attention on him, he's become even more famous. Usually that "bad" fame has a bigger influence than that "good" fame, because people like drama, scandal, gossip. Some celebrities know that very well and using it and benefiting from it and companies are paying them a lot to get them in their team.

http://adage.com/adages/post?article_id=146678

GAP: new vs. old

A couple of days ago a well known chain of retail clothing stores GAP returned to its old logo after confirming their new logo just four days before. "We chose this design as it's more contemporary and current. It honors our heritage through the blue box while still taking it forward," said Marka Hansen, Gap North America president. Apparently the customers didn't like it according to the online poll results. The logo, was created by New York agency Laird & Partners. After what happened GAP suggested that design professionals should help fix the mistake by offering up ideas for free.

First of all I don't see the point of changing the logo. People know the brand, the old logo has helped to build this perception of the brand: a brand awareness. Why braking it with something new. I understand they tried to change something...toward the future...new and fresh. But I don't think the logo is what should be changed. They should have looked at their other fields.

To be honest the new logo is awful. Before even throwing it into public, how did they got so far into the process without realizing how horrible and boring the new design was. Feels like one of the designers came up with it, kept it in secret from others, suggested it to one of the members of the GAP team and this person without consulting with anybody decided according to his/her taste that the new logo is good enough to replace the old one. It's just how I feel about the story.

Then next thing that makes me wondering...why the advertising agency should offer the new ideas for free? I do not really agree it was their fault. I mean of course the work they did was awful, but GAP had full rights to refuse to accept the work. Nobody forced them to take the idea. They could easily just reject it and say that they are not satisfied with what they are paying for, ask for a new one or find another agency. Seems like they didn't do that, that means they found the job the designers did totally okay. Now it's kind of a late to accuse somebody else.

                                                    New logo                    Old/current logo

Viva Starbucks Via flavored instant coffee!!!

Starbucks is running a campaign for its Via flavored instant coffee. Apparently Starbucks launched Via in September 2009, and within a year, passed $100 million in global sales. The new flavors are vanilla and cinnamon. As part of the launch, Starbucks will once again sample the drink at its stores, and is dangling a free tall coffee with the purchase of one of the flavored coffees.

To be honest I saw that product just recently. I don't know is it because they did not do good job on advertising it well enough or it's just me and the message just didn't reach me. But the new flavors sound really attractive. When I finally saw the product at Starbucks it didn't make me consider buying it. The idea of a regular instant coffee doesn't sound like something I would like to try. Adding some flavor to it...now that's the turning point right there. Moreover, they are giving a free coffee with the purchase of the instant coffee. I even saw this ad on facebook. There was an even created for that campaign. They got my attention, they hit the target....I'm going to try it.