It is a widely accepted notion that a fetus, while in their mother’s womb, will respond to external stimuli.  Countless maternity books encourage listening to music, reading and even talking to your unborn child to further development of the neural system.   However, exposing your unborn baby to such stimuli will not only ensure they have a natural affinity or aptitude for certain types of activities, but it could also hard wire them for brand loyalty. When an expecting mother is engrossed in an activity that she likes, certain hormones are… read the rest of the article »

By Amina AlTai It’s kind of a branding oxymoron.  Brands spend billions of dollars trying to capture consumer attention and mind share, only, at the peak of their life cycle, to do an about face and abandon their brand names.  Cue confused face. It’s a delicate balance.  Small brands, though often modest in revenue, are celebrated for their coolness and newness.  Large brands, though strong in revenue, are pervasive and too easy to come across.  When there is a starbucks on every corner, and everyone is toting a logo-emblazoned Gucci… read the rest of the article »

…By Genna AlTai With over 179,745 tweets and 27,023 check-ins, Social Media Week (SMW) is definitely kicking up a fuss. Taking into account that it’s also Fashion Week, New York has been unusually hectic. Expanded to 21 cities globally, some 60,000 social media mavens, business owners, and brand ambassadors are soaking up what’s the latest on new media platforms. This isn’t just about Twitter and Facebook. With a jam-packed schedule, SMW offers gatherings and exchanges that incorporate the most up to date knowledge on social and mobile media. After this… read the rest of the article »

…Genna AlTai Tired of frilly, pink Valentine’s Day cards? Feel like there should be more to this “day of love” other than gauche chocolates and supermarket bought flowers? It maybe time for Valentine’s Day to receive some variation of a makeover. Enough with the cheesy advertisements! Down with the heart-shaped cavity causers! It’s time Valentine’s Day underwent some form of rebranding. Surely, there is a way to market a holiday dedicated to affection that doesn’t come across as contrived. How can marketers sell love without all the overplayed gimmicks? Theoretically,… read the rest of the article »

…By Gabriel Alvarez-Jacobo You’ve toiled and tinkered with new ideas and are finally putting pen to paper. New product development is an exciting process, but there are several pitfalls new companies can succumb to. Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier on you. 1. Work with a product designer or engineer to identify the product specifications and make technical sheets for the manufacturer. This will speed up your interactions with the manufacturers and allow for a more seamless translation of your vision.   2. Invest… read the rest of the article »