Google Beats Microsoft and Coca Cola to Become the World's First One Hundred Billion Dollar Brand!

What an amazing feat for such a young brand!  The phrase "I'll Google it" has helped make the internet search giant the world's first one hundred billion dollar brand.  The analysts of the Brandz Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands by consultants Millward Brown found that the companies who's value grew the most were those that were actually investing in innovation during these uncertain times.  Millward Brown chief executive, Joanna Seddon, who was behind the research that valued the Top 100 global brands said "Those who continue to invest in their brand will be better positioned for business growth as the economic situation starts to improve than those who have cut spending."  

It is fascinating how many organisations are cutting back on offsite creative sessions, training for their team's advertising, new media and personal growth within the organisation in order to strengthen the bottom line.  However brands like Google, Vodafone, eBay and Amazon, who constantly challenge their brand from every angle, are continuing their growth and value in both the economic front and perceptually with their customers.  The categories that are suffering the most are car companies, insurers, clothing brands and not surprisingly financial institutions who are considered more to be faceless corporations rather than strong brands who stand for something and push innovation for their category.  

Source:  Mail Online 01/05/2009

Sunrise Yoga for Sydney

Too few people appreciate how quickly time passes.  We often get very caught up in day-to-day routines and don't appreciate our daily lives. Some people even wish their days away.  Yet I think it is important to acknowledge that each day that passes, you will never see again; it is gone forever.  For those of you who work or live close to the city in Sydney there will be a Winter Solstice Yoga class on the shortest day of the year - June 21st 2009 at 6:45am on the Observation Deck of Sydney Tower. What a brilliant way to start the day in the most calming and spiritual way and acknowledge the shortest day of your year.  A great reminder of your two most precious commodities... energy and time.  

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iEverything

I'm sure there are those who look at this picture and say "I can't believe they have done that!", but if there is one company that could push the boundaries like this, it would have to be Apple.  The lesson we can take from a concept like this is that we need to be thinking not just five years ahead for our business but five years ahead for technology and our industry.  Who is to say this won't be happening in five years?  Whilst waiting to speak at a conference in Parramatta recently, I watched ten people walk out of an adjacent conference room heading towards the bathroom.  Between the conference room and the bathroom five of them had their mobile's or Blackberry's out checking emails and messages and nine out of the ten came out of the bathroom with mobile or Blackberry in hand.  In these days of multi-tasking it seems we can't even take a break long enough to visit the bathroom.  There is obviously a need for this sort of technology and it is may not be far away.

Sneakart

One of the fastest growing worldwide trends in brand today is customisation and personalisation.  Many categories and companies are innovating to customise what they have to offer their target audience. The custom sneakers that can be produced with Sneakart (pictured above) I believe are an amazing example of customisation and of developing a completely new category of shoe.  You can use a new pair of shoes or even an old pair that are sitting in the back of your cupboard, purchase Sneakart's stickers and create your own individual look, which is surely the ultimate in customisation.  They are waterproof and stand up to regular daily use.  We think they are pretty cool.        

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Dining with a Difference

This photo comes courtesy of the Cannibalistic Restaurant in Japan which has people dining from a human body.  This restaurant is designed to shock and is certainly getting it's fair share of attention, although I think it is fair to say that this experience would not be for everyone. It is however a good example of pushing boundaries regardless of what category you are in, which is something we should all be considering.  Exactly how far you push those boundaries, and in what direction is the subjective part. Not for the faint-hearted!

Tour De Cure 2009 Breakfast

Gary will be speaking at a special breakfast in Melbourne next week with The CEO of Myer, Bernie Brookes to raise money and awareness to put an end to cancer.  Join leaders from companies such as Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods, Nestle, Musashi, The Heat Group, Simplot, Twinnings, Heinz, Goodman Fielder, Energizer, Mattel, Vitality Brands and Many More.  Please check out the website for more information. 

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