May The Brand Be With You

Star Wars turns 30 years old today. The first film in the saga, Episode IV—A New Hope, made it's North American debut on May 25th, 1977.

In 2005, according to Forbes, the entire franchise (viz., films, toys, video games, books, etc.) is worth about $20US billion. And because of that success, George Lucas is in the top 100 richest people in the US worth $3.6US billion. (In fact, him and Steven Spielberg are the only film directors in that top 100 list.)

How's that for brand recognition, extension, loyality, equity?

Visit wordpress and flickr blogs for the 5-day Celebration IV coverage in Los Angeles, CA, May 24 - 28, 2007.

Almost Famous

Kaitlyn, my 2nd cousin from Calgary, was at a John Mayer concert holding up a sign that said IT’S MY BIRTHDAY, CAN I HAVE A HUG PLEASE?—watch his reply.

(Thanks Kaitlyn)

Kewl Merch

Broken Social Scene's Treecity tee

Belt Out Some Tunes

iPod Nano Tunebuckle

MarCom Notes

Branding

As I continue to grow in my Marketing Communications career,
which is a lifelong journey into itself, I personally now have defined
'Branding' as ... "the personality of a product / service that is communicated to its targets through chosen media".

+ + +

Yugo Nakamura



About 4-5 years ago, I once heard that when Macromedia (creators of Flash, Freehand, Fireworks, to name a few), was up for sale, IBM, Adobe and Microsoft were in the running to purchase the company, which was really the battle to acquire the savior of the universe, according to July 2001 issue of cre@teonline) ... Flash. And Adobe ended up purchasing the company as Adobe’s objectives were better suited to Macromedia’s products than the other two companies’ objectives.

As an aside, I once met one of the founders of Macromedia at a tech function; and he told me that when they sold the company to suits, all they were interested in were investors rather than better enhancing the applications. Perhaps that was how Macromedia eventually became for sale.

Now, Flash is ubiquitous, from YouTube to pedagogic industrial products, to media disc authoring and everything in between.

That brief Flash segue leads me to the surreal work of Japanese, Flash master and interface designer Yugo Nakamura, who has won many prestigious awards including NY Art Director’s Club, Clio and Cannes Lions. And his digital creations have been displayed in renowned London and Paris museums.

Turn up your speakers:
• some past works: visit 1st button from the left, 3rd and 7th, amazing
• Mona Lisa
• latest news