Wednesday
Dec072011
Is your brand's message lost in translation?
Dec 7, 2011 
When people think about cross-cultural marketing blunders they usually think of the funny translation gaffs. There are dozens of examples.
Dec 7, 2011 Wednesday
Nov162011
'Tis the Season for Christmas Creep
Nov 16, 2011 
A recent headline in USA Today read, “Santa's becoming a September fixture” citing Christmas promotions beginning as early as July and August.
Tuesday
Oct112011
Lund University: An entrepreneur’s guide to brands & social media marketing
Oct 11, 2011 
Big thanks to Craig Mitchell for the invite to address his class in the Master Programme in Entrepreneurship at the Lund University School of Economics and Management in Sweden
Friday
Aug262011
Steve Jobs' 1997 brand prophesy
Aug 26, 2011 
Want a 60-minute crash course in how to build a successful brand? I suggest you reserve an hour and watch the video below.
1 Comment | in Apple, Brand Development, Branding Tuesday
Aug162011
Borders: A brand tragedy
Aug 16, 2011 
As Borders fades into oblivion I'm left mourning the loss of my favorite urban hangout.
Monday
Jul182011
Why managing your personal brand will make you a better marketer
Jul 18, 2011 
Managing your personal brand will do more than build your online reputation. I believe it will make you a better marketer. It's all a matter of motivation.
Wednesday
Jul132011
The social media summer survival guide
Jul 13, 2011 
Working this summer? This may help. A few of us at The Duffy Agency put together our top five tips for surviving the summer with the help of social meida.
1 Comment | in Agency News Friday
Jun242011
Will Direct Response Save Advertising?
Jun 24, 2011 
Last week I read a great op-ed piece in The Boston Globe by Alex Poulos called “Mad Men of the Future.”
Thursday
May262011
New York Times struggles to understand why social media can't be run by robots
May 26, 2011 
And people wonder why the newspapers are in trouble . . .
Newspapers have some of the most powerful brands in the world. But decades of monopolized media have made them soft in the ways of brand management.
1 Comment | in Newspapers, Rant, Social Media Wednesday
May112011
The McElroy "Brand Man" Memo turns 80
May 11, 2011 
Next time you dash off a memo or post, consider young Neil McElroy sitting behind his Royal Typewriter on May 13, 1931 drafting the 800-word memo below.
Thursday
May052011
Going Global: Overcome the Hidden Risks of International Brand Launches
May 5, 2011 
Launching a product in your home country is difficult enough. Statisticians claim less than 50% of new product launches succeed.
Thursday
Apr212011
Don't tell my folks I work in advertising, they think I'm a piano player in a whorehouse
Apr 21, 2011 
My friend Cedrik tells me the headline was coined by Jacques Séguéla, President of RSCG before I started in advertising. I heard it from my first creative director at BBDO and have had it repeated to me by practically everyone I've know in advertising ever since.
3 Comments | in Advertising Tuesday
Apr192011
Join the WeFeedback experiment
Apr 19, 2011 
We're popping Champagne at the agency today to celebrate the official launch of WeFeedback.org, a website we developed with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as part of an awareness/fundraising campaign.
Thursday
Mar172011
Don’t forget the "tact" in your online fundraising tactics
Mar 17, 2011 
Seven Tactful Tactics for raising money online
Microsoft recently came under a lot of criticism for the way it tried to raise money for Japanese earthquake relief. Their Twitter campaign was seen by many as a transparent ploy to promote their brand at the expense of Japanese quake victims.
Tuesday
Mar152011
Why great sales people don’t always make great marketers
Mar 15, 2011 
In many BtoB companies the career path to the Marketing Departmment seems to invariable miander through Sales. Over the years I’ve worked with many salespeople-cum-marketing-managers.
Monday
Mar142011
I’m a Mac and I’m a PC trying to help Japan
Mar 14, 2011 
What is it about Microsoft that makes it reinforce Apple’s brand every time it opens its mouth? The latest MS communication fiasco centered around their efforts to help earthquake victims in Japan this weekend.
Thursday
Mar102011
How Toby Rucksmith turned my RockMelt experience into a BrandMelt moment
Mar 10, 2011 
I was hoping to write this post about a new browser called RockMelt. A few people in the office suggested I try it. RockMelt claim they are “re-imagining the browser for the way people use the Web today”.
Monday
Feb142011
The meaning of love (for marketers).
Feb 14, 2011 
Happy Valentine's Day! All of us at The Duffy Agency created this Video Valentine for you to ponder the power of love as a brand. If you like it, spread the love with your favorite marketer this Valentine's Day.
1 Comment | in Advertising, Branding Monday
Feb142011
Five DIY opportunities for marketers
Feb 14, 2011 
A freelance collateral writer visited The Duffy Agency recently. She complained about the lack of opportunity in the market and blamed the changes in our industry.
Tuesday
Feb082011
The latest International Duffy Tribune
Feb 8, 2011 
The latest issue of The International Duffy Tribune is now available for download. If you are marketing in the US, you'll want to read about the expansion of our Boston Office with the arrival of our new Managing Partner in the US, Rich Wahl.