Brands

Adidas holds a near and dear spot next to my heart... something about the simplicity of those 3 stripes. Hmmm tasty... It's the only gym shoe I wear. That's probably been the case for the past 8 years.

Apple... Beyond redefining the music industry. It's minimalist if ever a computer/electronic company could be. Clean smooth and always well thought out. Also, not afraid to buck trend and re-invent. I really enjoy keeping tabs on them because of that bravado.

So far, if you title your brand starting with an 'A' and are simple, you're king of the hill with me.

Let's deviate huh... Coke, talk about a company not changing in a century... it's gone through 8 million tweaks only to realize it's bread and butter is Coke and Diet Coke. Why change perfection? My usual drinking steady would be forever bastardized if I couldn't have my Cap'n and Diet Coke... I live for a FREE CUBA....or a just a Cuba libre. Whichever's easier...


Nike...although I'm not a fan of their shoes... I do have to applaud them in their campaigns. Look, I'm a biker and team sport player, after watching a nike commercial, with it's perfectly scored music... I feel like running a forsaken marathon ugh!

American Express
Their print ads give a little insight to celebrity quirks and individuality rather simply.

Mastercard
This question really got me to realize how much I enjoy credit card ads, the Priceless campaign is phenomenal. Some funny, some tear jerker all original.


MTV
The network does whatever they want. Hey, let's put a bunch of snotty california kids together and I bet people will watch....Heeellllooooo Laguna Beach. The reality trash certainly didn't begin there and certainly would end there.... do I now admit that I love every trashy second.


Phillips
Their quailty is impeccable! Not much on the advertizing front but if a company can specialize in X ray equipment for doctor's they can make my tv.


Fanta
Flat out nostalgia. My mother would bring us down to the Dominican Republic for summers at a time when my brother and I were small. Whether it was that we missed the states or not or that it just tasted unbelievable good. I don't know. But I still love it today.

I think brands are best when they seep into your points of reference. When you recommend them to someone else or share a laugh over the latest ad seen. There is something that should be given to lasting power as well. Just thinking about how old Coke is and how the poorest village in asia can still recognize the red and white swirl. Or how IPOD has changed this culture... for better or for worse...

I've become more receptive to brands... I'm a consumer, everyone, in order to be a participant to this society is a consumer and with that things need to be sold. I'll give my business to those products that either prove their worth or show creativity in capturing my attention.

Having said that, I just recently returned from possibly the best marketed brand in the world with Disney World. My girlfriend succeeded in removing the blinders I had on in thinking it just a little to creepy. Only to realize they have something for everyone and that it's property is so spread out that it's not as overwhelming as I originally thought.