Brain-dead branding?

Is branding making our organizations dumber?
Is branding making our organizations dumber?

This article about organizational culture was making the rounds on Facebook a couple of weeks ago. It’s a longish read, but if you’re interested in the way organizations work, you might want to peruse it. And if you’re involved in the work of branding or marketing, then yes, you really should take the time to read Stupefied: How organisations enshrine collective stupidity and employees are rewarded for checking their brains at the office door. Continue reading “Brain-dead branding?”

Mascot makeovers: A tricky business

The recently redesigned -- and more recently reconsidered -- Billiken mascot made its debut on Sept. 20. (Photo by Bill Barrett via SLU website.)
The recently revamped — and more recently discarded — Billiken mascot made its debut on Sept. 20. (Photo by Bill Barrett via SLU website.)

The occasional visual identity upgrade is part and parcel of university branding activities these days. It isn’t unusual for universities to revise their color palettes or refine the logos or other institutional symbols — although logo revisions can bring controversy and headaches to brand managers. Continue reading “Mascot makeovers: A tricky business”