Here’s a question: what do Margaret Thatcher and Madonna have in common? You can’t be faulted if an answer isn’t easily forthcoming. True, both are blonde, ruthlessly ambitious and had their heyday in the eighties – although we’re willing to bet that there are no cone-shaped bras hidden in the Iron Lady’s closet. And yet, both fit the description of ‘feisty, independent women, who mean business’.
As if marketers needed a reminder of the importance of Chinese consumers, recent news announcing China as the world’s second largest economy once again highlighted the potential of this burgeoning market.
China’s people are increasingly proud of the country’s growing status; and brands are taking notice, looking to form stronger relationships with the country’s consumers. Critically, this means abandoning “talking down” to the Middle Kingdom, and instead developing messages based on respect, partnership and equality with the Chinese people. Read more…
Innovation changes the world. Think of something as simple as the shape of Toilet Duck. Or disposable pepper grinders. Think of mobile phones, iTunes and iPods. These things have not only changed categories; they’ve altered the way we do things. Brands like Apple and Virgin have built their businesses on the idea that change – often radical change – can be very, very good for business.
Are we becoming more visually lead in this country?
Access to a vast array of visually stimulating media has never been so abundant or accessible in Britain. We’ve all heard the statistics about just how many messages we are being bombarded with on a daily basis, mass media has been on our radars for some time. But the nature of the communication does seem to have become more driven by a strong aesthetic language, driving a more superficial attitude to our brands and indeed our lifestyles. Read more…
Added Value France reinforces its Innovation Offer by investing in a cultural insight expert, Marcus Alfonsetti. Marcus will be here to help build the Cultural Insight competency and to train the team on semiotics and trends. He will be working on innovation projects for clients such as Pernod Ricard, Ford, GlaxoSmithKline and Ikea.
Volkswagen unveiled its electric vehicle strategy for the next 8 years with a goal to sell 300,000 electric vehicles annually, by 2018. The jewel in their crown is undoubtedly the new plug-in electric hybrid Porsche – 918 Sypder – launched at the Geneva Auto show. Still at concept stage, hybrid Porsche can allegedly get 78 miles per gallon, can go 16 miles on electric charge alone, and can do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. Read more…
In the last 20 years, service businesses have adopted a stronger marketing culture, hired former FMCG marketers to improve marketing capability and delivery and developed home-grown service marketing specialists. So where’s service branding got to, and what’s the latest thinking on best practice?
Interview in the w&v-magazine about the tension zone between “Internet and Market research” with Dr. Hildegard Keller-Kern, Managing Director Icon Added Value Germany. Published in April 2009
As far as months go, October has been anything but status quo. Just read the headlines from the past few weeks — government bailout plans, political debates, erratic stock performance, presidential campaign speeches, proposed legislation, recession predictions. The list goes on. It’s no wonder there’s widespread fear and uncertainty mounting among the American public. Never in our lifetime have we faced such extreme change. As overwhelming as it can be, it’s important to remind ourselves that change is good. Times of transition force consumers to re-evaluate how they consume, providing challenges and opportunities. So don’t panic — there’s hope in the chaos. You just need to know where to look.
