Insights - Page 4 of 6 - James Branding

Brands and colours: An instantaneous method for conveying meaning without words

Colours are a language of their own; in every day life and in visual communication, they are one of the first things we register when we are assessing anything. They evoke emotions and have psychological properties that instantly trigger various thoughts, memories and associations for people, environments and events.

Art, design and music have always been an a representation of how a culture expresses attitudes and emotions of the time: this expression is represented in forms of design. For example, the 70s recession brought earthy colors, environmental movement into the design. In the 80’s, we see an explosion of vibrant colours with the economic upturn and MTV’s influence on spreading pop music. In the 90’s, we see grunge and graffiti style. The 00’s, we see the influence of the technology revolution and minimalism, individualism and globalisation.

Middle East Film & Comic Con

You can be the CEO of a big corporation, a chairman, a fighter or a policeman, but the one thing you probably have in common (particularly, if you grew up in the 80s) is the love for Superman, Batman, Captain America and Marvel massive big books.

What hosting the IPL signifies for brand ‘Dubai’

Just 10 days away, the Pepsi IPL has created much anticipated frenzy, excitement and buzz in the UAE. For those unfamiliar with this event, IPL refers to the “Indian Premier League” and is a professional league for men’s Twenty20 cricket club. Although only Indian clubs compete at this annual event, each team boasts international cricketers from around the world; making it one the most-watched cricket events in the world! In fact, in 2010, the IPL matches were the first sporting event to be broadcasted on YouTube around the world.

Not a surprise then that the UAE, more particularly Dubai, is hosting the first half of this coveted event.

What IS Creativity?

We throw the word around a lot. Companies advertise for “creative types” to fill “creative roles”, look for people who have “creative thinking skills”, and are able to contribute “creative solutions and perspectives”. Companies claim to be “creative companies” or work in the “creative space”. Job candidates splash the word “creative” all across their resumes, their LinkedIn profiles, and their cover letters. There are industry competitions and awards given to companies in every industry from design to technology to architecture to medicine to law to fashion to agriculture that recognizes those who have been “creative”. But what exactly does it mean to be creative? What exactly IS creativity?

Branding and Start-ups

Success in any activity requires the right ingredients and basic fundamentals. Winning a sports championship requires skill and years of practice, baking requires the right mix of ingredients, – similarly a business requires the basic fundamentals to start, grow and establish a presence in the market. A strategic business plan, clear goals and a robust brand from day one are certainly key ingredients towards a strong foundation and success for any large or small business.

From Fad to Reality: The Evolution of “Green” Brands

“Go Green”. A slogan that once represented a trend today represents a lifestyle. What started as a minor effort to adopt environmentally friendly habits has grown into people being conscious global citizens, who are increasingly contributing to a green planet. Amidst their personal efforts, people have also turned to leading global brands with just one (but by no means small) expectation: how to lead the way towards sustainable development.

The Brand Environment: why looks DO matter!

Whenever we think about a brand—we automatically think of a logo. Visions of the different brands in our lives will flash before our eyes: the cursive red Coca Cola logo, the green Starbucks mermaid, Apple Inc.’s white apple with a bite in it, the patterned “LV” splashed across a Louis Vuitton bag.

But there’s a bigger picture…literally.

Educational Brands: Survival of the Mutant

Brands are living things; they live, age and (sometimes) die, but with nurture they last, and usually for long. Every brand has a set of values that connects to its geography and culture, keeping it on brand and delivering it’s promise; educational brands are no different.

Branding & the FMCG Industry Today

“I don’t eat anything that isn’t grown organically” – how often have we heard this statement in our social circles? The fact of the matter is that increasing number of people are health conscious today, and while this means more people living in their gyms, it also means more people being mindful of their eating habits.

An up rise in this trend poses quite a significant challenge for global food companies that more often than not sell products that aren’t necessarily healthy. In the face of these challenges, marketers are relying increasingly on branding to differentiate their products.