The UK's Coolest Brands Report

Coolbrands is an annual initiative to identify the UK's coolest brands based on independent voting and consumer feedback. Today here are the top 5 coolest brands in the UK.

1. Aston Martin

2. iPhone

3. Apple

4. Bang & Olufsen

5. YouTube

The 2008 results featured many of the world's best known brands, but what was also interesting is that 55% of the Top 20 brands were technology & internet related brands. Making the Top 20 list: iPhone, Apple, YouTube, Google, Nintendo, Playstation, Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Bose, Facebook and Skype.

Are we becoming a more web influenced society? Will internet advertising influence consumers purchasing decisions even more in the future? Comments? 

5 Steps for Getting Results from your Marketing

Growing a profitable business requires a systematic approach to marketing if you are going to be successful in increasing your client base and sales. Here are some tips.

No. 1: Define your goals

Write them down! Have a defined business objective that you would like to achieve with your marketing activities. Planning + execution = results.

No. 2: Know who you want to advertise to

If you have not specifically identified your target market, you are not going to be able to make the best decisions about marketing and advertising and your marketing will not help you reach your business objectives.

No. 3: Good design & good copywriting

A clear, concise, and well design message is important to cut through the noise in the marketplace and engage your potential customers. Good copywriting & design pulls your customer in to learn more about you.

No. 4: Make strategic use of your website

Customers are increasingly internet savvy today and use the internet as one of their primary methods to make buying decisions. Your marketing & advertising should send people to the right page on your website - the truth is that your home page may not be the first place they should land.

No. 5: Be Consistent

Many businesses fail to see the results from their marketing activities because they stop too early or change the approach. Make a plan, implement it, and stick with it. Give it time to develop and for your customers to get to know you and engage with you.

Comments?

Is Microsoft cool?

The ad agency of Crispin Porter + Bogusky has a reputation for advertising campaigns that generate excitement about a brand, but they certainly have taken on a big challenge with the task of making Microsoft cool!

The reality today is that it is not just about MAC OS vs Windows anymore! While Microsoft still remains a technology brand, Apple has successfully become a lifestyle brand. Apple has managed to craft an experience with Mac OS, iMac, iPod, iTunes, and now iPhone that melds design, technology, media, photography, and communication into a beautiful roller-coaster ride.

The highly anticipated $300 million Microsoft ad campaign recently launched but response from viewers has been pretty bland.

Jerry Seinfeld is funny for sure, but is he cool? Not in 2008, and Microsoft isn't cool yet either. This will be an interesting campaign to watch!