Blog I

1) What are 4 of your favorite brands? Why?

Apple- Probably for the same reason everybody likes this company. Every product that they produce is simple, sexy, and easy to use. Not only that, they continue to push the bound of their products and continue to keep yuppies guessing.

Akomplice- This clothing company pushes what is considered fashion. It is thoughtful apparel that makes people think when it is on you. They are just a sick boutique type clothing that appeals to urban side and my artistic view about clothing.

JumpMan- I enjoy this brand because it embodies victory, power, and athleticism. This is Michael Jordan’s company, whom I idolize, and respect what he does. Not only that but this brand promotes a lot of other athletes whom are great people and when you wear the brand it ties you to those people.

Vans- The final brand that I absolutely love is Vans. The appeal of this brand is the emotional attachment I have to it. My thoughts I have when I think or wear this brand is a low key, chilled out, California beach vibe. I love the skateboard/snowboard scene and vans is all about it. When I lived in L.A. some of my best memories are on Huntington beach walking around in some Vans Classic Era’s.

2) For each brand you have chosen, apply the DSI test listed below. Remember, to pass the brand needs a 100 percent score. For each question detail how the brand faired in relation to each question providing specific examples to support your observations. Also, you must provide images, links to illustrate your brands and assertions.

Question 1 (the Golden Question): Is the key message ex­pressed Superlative, Important, and Believable?

Apple- Yes, I believe that apples key message of simplicity is on top of their marketing. In most of their advertising, web site blurbs and T.V. spots, their message of simplicity and sheeknes is always there. From their early years http://www.macmothership.com/gallery/MiscAds2/simplicity1.GIF and messages, to their modern and simple magazine ads http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/iphone_print_ad.jpg, simplicity is king.

Akomplice- Yes, thought provoking concepts and progressive design is always expressed by Akomplice. You can tell by their t-shirt concepts and even bio that making people think is their motive. http://www.akomplice-clothing.com/info-bio.html, http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.akomplice-clothing.com/images/info/collabs/warnerbros.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.akomplice-clothing.com/info-collab.html&usg=__iZJye8_A_4MqXA2QHLsLAVg0H_k=&h=418&w=500&sz=121&hl=en&start=13&sig2=L9fHXG0bIBhYcSXPiDAuCw&um=1&tbnid=Bjb2daUlpUXxIM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dakomplice%2Bt%2Bshirts%2Breal%2Bworld%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26um%3D1&ei=CURdS7-1GsGutgedz6mUAg

Whether it be the world, our economy or global warming, Akomplice is making you think one t-shirt at a time.

JumpMan- JumpMan has been around since Michael Jordan started rocking the hoop. The idea of being the best, and never giving up is shown through out everything. Whether it is their athletes wearing the apparel, or the message on the t-shirts progression is their main message and they show that all the time. http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/index.html#/apparel/365730-103?idx=17

Vans- I’m not sure the brand shows exactly how I feel because it is different for everybody, but they sure as hell embody the skateboard/snowboard culture. http://www.vans.com/vans/index.asp It is as simple as their homepage, the feel, the advertisements, and their images. It might not be superlative but it is most definitely a strong message that they push forth.

Question 2 (the Substitution Question): Can I take out the company's name, plug in anybody else's, and have the exact same ad or claim? Or is it a claim that only this company can make?

Apple- I definitely think that apple is the only only company that can hold the claim of simple and easy to use computer products and other technological shits. No body else can sell i-anything and make it so trendy. As look as there is a little apple logo on the product hipsters will buy it even it’s is a bag of shit. www.apple.com

Akomplice- No, Akomplice’s name could easily be interchanged. There are millions of cute little boutique shops that put out cool thought provoking clothes, and Akomplice is just another one. Any company can claim that they “do them” or say “fuck the authority”, I just like this company because it’s out of Colorado, and it’s dope as FUCK.

JumpMan- I think that half of JumpMan’s brand is who wears this clothing, so in one sense no, nobody can do what JumpMan can sponsor who they do. http://www.nike.com/jumpman23/index.html#/team However, the encouraging message of being the best could easily be taking by any brand. For this brand it truly is all about who you know.

Vans- Van’s long lasting history, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vans, makes it absolutely irreplaceable. Since they have been around since the 60’s there are many copy cat’s and fakers however there is only one true Vans slip on, or Vans era. You just can copy the realness or feel a a fresh pair of vans on your feat in the sand.

Question 3 (the Star Question): In communications like advertising, is the product the star of the ad or incidental? In other words, if the communication is Memorable, is it for the right reasons?

Apple- Apple seems like the produce once was the star, the old machines were such a staple that along the ages, the simple apple logo ended up selling it self. I feel that their now could be an advertisement for the iPhone with just the apple logo and it would work just as well as a long drawn out description of what the phone could do, just because of the selling power of the brand. However, that is not to say that the products without the brand would not sell, there has to be a reason why the brand is so powerful right now any way, right?

Akomplice- I think the clothing of Akomplice is the star of the ad’s. The amazing design of all of Akomplice’s clothing can and does drive all of their sales. This can be shown by the simple fact of Akomplice’s almost unknown factor, but still their high sales and profit.

JumpMan- I am not so sure that JumpMan’s products really sell themselves. Like I have stated earlier, it is really all about the pro’s that wear the clothing then anything else. Sure the design, and quality of the product is great, but just the simple fact that Michael Jordan endorses it is really the main selling point.

Vans- Heck yes, the product is the star of the ads. The simple design but crazy amount of color ways is the huge seller of this product. Just seeing the original and simple style of their shoes is amazing and sells it self every time, no doubt!