branding

One of the things I really can’t stand is clutter. Whether it’s random papers or objects on a desk, or even junk messages in my email inbox, clutter takes up space. It also can distract from the most important business tasks at hand.

Just like an overloaded desk, there is a lot of junk on the internet and in the digital world. Sometimes all of the industry news, trending stories of the day, and advertisements make it seem too difficult for small and medium-sized businesses to stand out among the clutter.

At Idea Custom Solutions, we’ve been thinking (and talking) a lot about logos these days. It’s not just because new logos, logo design and rebrands are a trending topic.

Rebranding is a popular topic these days, not just with major corporations, but with institutions of all kinds. Rebranding seems to be happening everywhere.

You may have heard about the many municipalities — cities, small towns, and business destinations, for example — who are rebranding in an effort to court business and in some cases tourists.

There’s been a lot of talk about logos this year. Whether businesses are driven to tweak their logo every few years out to stay on trend or the get attention for the latest products they launch, more 20 major brands have changed their logos this year.

Not all of us are the “runner” type. It takes a special something to take on the task of completing a marathon. Just training for a race — even a half-marathon or 10K race — is a major commitment.

While avid runners take to the blacktop in cities nationwide almost every weekend of every year, major brands look to go the distance too. Just about every marathon, 5K race or walk-a-thon funds charities and has a roster of major corporate sponsors.

If you are a distributor of promotional products and specialty advertising items of any kind — whether you specialize in wearables like caps and outerwear, or even tech-related items like branded phone chargers or USB drives — you’re probably doing two things very, very right!

In the 2005 holiday film “The Family Stone”, Amy Stone is introduced holding her favorite fashion accessory. The moment is meant to tell us a bit more about her preferences and perhaps her personality. Played by Rachel McAdams, Amy appears briefly with a “National Public Radio” tote bag slung over her shoulder. This initial image hints more to come about Amy: the Stone Family's eldest daughter is educated and up-to-date on political issues.

A few weeks ago we reviewed some old and new ideas on the discussion of logo design. One interesting tidbit from the multibillion dollar fast food sector is the large number of companies, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Checkers and more, that use “exciting,” high-wavelength colors like red and yellow to draw in consumer eyes.

If you are paying attention to social media in earlier part of July, you might have heard some people chirping about Shark Week. Not just shark experts and oceanographers, but, well . . . everybody. Look up the hashtag #SharkWeek, or just take a spin through your social media and you will see Shark Week has people talking. 

Ever since we were children, Americans have gotten to know brands. Regardless of what generation you fit into — whether you are part of the now much-targeted millennials or a member of Generation X, Gen Y or Baby Boomers — you came to know brands from the television, radio and print ads that are ubiquitous to American life.