The Drucker School Student Association Blog

I had been wondering who the designer(s) behind the Obama “O” were. You’ll find some of the answers in this NY Times interview with Sol Sender, a graphic designer tasked with designing a logo for Obama’s presidential campaign.

It’s an interesting read. Especially the closing question, which is something we’ve discussed on this blog. What now for all those Obama brand identity pieces?

For those Marketers out there:

I’ve been an avid reader of Seth Godin’s blog for years. In addition he also has many books, most famous being his Purple Cow. His new book Tribes is the latest to come out of this unique marketing mind. I suggest you pick it up.

Two years of hard work culminated in a monumental decision last night: Barack Obama for President. Regardless of your political views or which hole you punched, one thing is for sure- the presidential race is one LARGE, well funded advertising campaign.

Brands and agencies would die for the cash that Obama had to “play” with. And that he did…very successfully apparently. Everything from traditional advertising (30 minute TV ad), web 2.0/social media (Facebook) and guerilla marketing (countless posters, t-shirts-think Shepard Fairey).

AdAge.com has an excellent article on “What Marketers Can Learn from Obama’s Campaign”.

Find it here: http://adage.com/columns/article?article_id=132237

Leads me to wonder, what happens to all the well designed brand identity pieces the Obama team put together? Something tells me he’ll be happy to exchange them for the President’s Seal.

Flying is fast becoming the equivalent of going to the DMV: you expect headaches, everyone is stressed and a lot of people (employees & customers) don’t really want to be there.

JetBlue opened their new T5 terminal at JFK and we have to say, it’s a large step in the right direction for airlines. And it all comes down to customer-focused design.

Go to the website to check it out, http://www.t508.com.

Note the following:

- Lots of windows and natural light.

- Large central seating area with charging stations/electric sockets throughout.

- Touch screens located throughout the terminal for food ordering. Food is delivered to your gate!

- A 225 ft long bench right after TSA security checkpoint. No more standing on one leg putting a shoe on, while threading your belt, simultaneously keeping an eye on your laptop and getting bumped by passengers grabbing their stuff off the x-ray belt.

- Fisher Price play area. Toys galore for the kids.

Most of are understanding of airline travel and the processes put in place. It’s keeps us safe…we have no choice. But a note to other airlines, if we’re being herd like cattle, forced to take our shoes off and not carry unopened bottled waters through TSA, make the rest of the traveling easier on us.  Where it’s dark and gloomy in the terminal, lighten it up. If I have a laptop, put an outlet in for me to charge and sit. Provide good food if it’s going to cost $15 for a turkey sandwich.

We’ll thank you with our business.  Because let’s be serious with no meals, the occasional free beverage, tight seats and delays, we need to be happy beyond a safe trip that we picked your airline. Sometimes all it takes is customer-first design and accommodations.

Happy Jetting!

Pepsi gets a facelift

Story goes the decision was made to change the logo as a first step towards regaining market share. What do you think of the logo? Is it the logo you buy or the experience?

This quote courtesy of the Dieline packaging blog :
“Pepsi’s Chief Marketing Officer Dave Burwick set the tone for the change at a meeting of Pepsi bottlers when he said “If we don’t change quickly, we run the risk of being a footnote to history,” according to Beverage Digest.

A quick AdAge article about the Pepsi logo change for your reference:
http://adage.com/article?article_id=132016