Too bad that Pantone’s idea of spreading their color-love from shoes to t-shirts, again, in a lengthy co-branding spree is not one of the bright ideas we are getting excited about, even if The New York Times declares it as such. We have seen colored T-Shirts before, actually a whole lot of them at ailing American Apparel recently, and we have even seen colored sneekers, yes we have. Now why exactly would even I as a designer get excited about merchandise in a ‘Pantone’ color, especially via quality unconscious retailer Gap, I really do not know. There must be some smart strategy peeps over at Pantone capable of coming up with other ideas on how such a great brand can be leveraged in more thoughtful ways then just applying it to apparel.

Photo from The New York Times.

…and only to review Interbrand’s report of the Top 100 Global Brands of 2008, then we about had it with looking back. Happy New Year everyone!

could it be that no one at The New York Times realized that the type behind his featured image in today’s paper actually reads ‘ouch’? An example of what happens when the time spend paying attention to details gets cut…Ouch!

A little sarcasm never hurt anyone, especially when times are rough…

Original source unknown, but thanks to Dany for the heads-up.

Less is more. Now even for McDonald’s. At least at the ‘Quarter Pounder’, a concept restaurant in Japan, where the menu’s simplicity, seen below, is reminiscent of In’n'Out, and the graphic design a near-direct copy of Mini, but a fantastic store design and great marketing idea.

Thanks to past GD-Intern Marco for the heads-up. More images and thoughts can be found here.

After my Pepsi re-branding fiasco post, the new Holiday Inn mark follows suite. I just don’t believe a hotel brand should feel like an inexpensive shampoo label or days-marked-off-a-prison-cell-wall (at least it was only a three day stay). Scary to think there surely was a big brand strategy, hundreds of thousands of dollars and a significant brand bible behind this re-branding effort…

Our President-Elect continues to cater to a new generation by launching an official web site to have the country participate in the change to come. Where should we start in saluting the fact that the campaign is over, yet Obama’s team understands that the 2.0 campaign will be best leveraged right this moment to not lose any viral capabilities of the 3+ Million ‘subscribers’. The fact that the site gets Geyrhalter Design’s approval and praise for the UI as well as design aesthetics, is, of course, just an added benefit.

While the new administration starts doing, we start watching (in awe) how this historical campaign continues to do the right thing at the right moment.

We will also try to not make this an Obamarama blog, because that is one thing the world does not fall short of at this point in time… 

Last night was powerful. It was the most magnificent moment of positive change I have felt since I moved to the U.S. 12 years ago. I do not know when the last time was in history, or if ever there was a time in modern history, where so many Americans cried out of joy at the same very moment. Imagining that the reason for this sensation is watching a president, who most Americans have not even heard of a little while ago, being elected, is mind blowing to me. A moment that clearly went beyond two people running for president. A moment that shaped history in so many ways, too many to mention, and not the right outlet to do so.

Quite appropriately though is to state how last night affected agencies around the world, as strategic ad campaigns of all sorts, shapes and forms will have to be compared to this all encompassing and fully integrated brand building spectacle. A campaign that was cleverly crafted and superbly executed. The day the first book going in-depth on this stunning lesson in marketing (and there will be many) will be released, will be the day I will head to the stores. If nothing else to you, this has been the best example of Brand Atmospheres I will be able to give you in a long time, unless our clients amp up the budget a bit more into the Obama campaign direction…then, maybe, Geyrhalter Design too can say ‘Yes, we can.’

…and it does not look like it will be any time soon. Not with such a sad smiley face.

The music biz is in the slump, as we all know. The ever so accessible, sharable and convenient, yet often illegal, and prior to official release leaking MP3 created a new and challenging environment for bands and their marketers. One that is mainly fought by shutting down music sharing sites and fan posts as well as promoting live acts and merchandise while upping ticket prices. Not an option if you are the ‘it’ band of the moment, like the – maybe as of today still Indie rockers – ‘Of Montreal‘, who launched their new release titled ‘Skeletal Lamping Collection’ 4 days ago in several innovative ways. Next to the digital download, the (extremely ‘cutting edge’ packaged) CD, as well as the LP, the ‘album’ can be purchased in these four formats: Wall Decals, Button-set, Tote Bags & T-Shirts.

All these unconventional items include a cool car-freshener-lookalike that features a download code of the MP3′s. A smart way to get fans to collect one – or all – and to offer merchandise before actual live dates. Also an innovative way of creating a more personal and artistic ‘brand atmosphere’ for the band, as well as making a statement of re-inventing how music can be published, packaged and monetized, while making fans ecstatic and creating a buzz.
Thanks to our ex subleasee and current client (we are currently working on a re-design of their web site), the ever so wonderful pals at blik, for sending over samples of the wall decals, which you can, among other items from the series, view below.

For another in-depth write up, as well as the band’s thoughts and imagery of all pieces of the release-bundle, go to pitchfork, where I found the photos.