Gross-Out Food Wars

It started with KFC’s bun-less “Double-Down,” two pieces of fried chicken with a burger in the middle. Next came Friendly’s “Ultimate Grilled Cheese Burger Melt” - a hamburger between two grilled-cheese sandwiches.

Earth Day - Top 25 “Green” Companies

By Robert Passikoff
Forty years after the first Earth Day, greater pressure is being applied to brands to address environmental problems along with the problems of dirty clothes, financial services, technology, and convenient, quick- serve meals.
Yes, more consumers hear the phrases “fuel-efficient,” “organic,” “energy-efficient,” “natural,” “green,” and “sustainable” more these days, consumers are on to all [...]

Advertisers Fumble ROI with Super Bowl Ads

By Robert Passikoff
62% of Advertisers will Fumble ROI
Not all programs are right for all brands, even if it happens to be the Super Bowl. The 8th annual Super Bowl Engagement Survey, conducted by Brand Keys, Inc, reports that when it comes to the monetary return advertisers will get on their advertising investments in the Super [...]

Many Retailers Left at Altar as the Economy Slows Cupid

by Robert Passikoff
Brand Keys Valentine’s Day Index Down 15 Percent
Valentine’s Day will be the first major holiday of 2009 to feel the economic pinch. This year the average price consumers placed on love is $108.00, down 15% from last year.
For our bi-annual Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, we asked 1,200 men and 1,200 women (18-60 years [...]

Consumer Loyalty & Engagement Trends - Nine for ‘09

By Robert Passikoff

Predictions are hard to make, especially about the future. Fortunately, loyalty and engagement metrics are leading indicators of what consumers think and, more importantly, how they are going to behave - in categories, toward brands, and in the real-world marketplace.
If it helps, think of these insights as a loyalty and engagement version of a [...]

Brand President and Sub-Brand Vice President

By Robert Passikoff
(see end of post for current leader)  John Kennedy was the first US President to become a brand. Kennedy’s team understood the power of the media and approached it with the strategic and tactical gusto of a new product launch. What they did not know then - but happily we know now - [...]

Mother’s Day Becomes Universal - Men Spend More than Women on Mom

With nine out of 10 consumers (90%) planning to celebrate Mother’s Day, retailers should have reason to celebrate.Although the average anticipated spend has not increased only $7.00 since 2007, celebrants intend to spend an average of $140.00 on Mom this year. Men intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average “spend” for celebrating [...]

Starbuck’s New Brew lacks Bite

by Robert Passikoff
Two weeks ago, in the hope that a new “signature” blend would help revive coffee sales and consumption, Starbucks served up a new “everyday” java called Pike Place Roast. To promote the launch, Starbucks gave away coupons for free coffee and hosted free tastings, hoping that a new product formulation would reinvigorate its [...]