Wilder 4 Brands

Dan W.
DesignII
Blog#1
4 Brands:
Gatorade- they are the best sports drink, because they were the first. They are anyone’s go to when deciding how to hydrate themselves.
Whole Foods- I am an employee of Whole Foods, have and come to believe that they follow through on their message of a healthy lifestyle in many ways.
Starbucks- My friend works and Starbucks, and finds it hilarious, therefore so do I.
Microsoft- They are the evil empire of computers.
Gatorade:
1. Yes, they promote athleticism. They’re product not only hydrates you more than water, it tastes better. Why not choose to go with Gatorade. They claim that electrolytes replenish the things that your body needs to keep moving. I don’t even know what electrolytes are but I want make sure I keep enough inside me.
2. For Gatorade, they have already established themselves so well that attaching most names to it will not change the overall branding of Gatorade. The message would still remain true even if the words were different.
3. I think the product is the star for Gatorade. In every advertisement I see nothing but images of the sugary liquid that is made to replenish my electrolytes and keep me fighting. Without the Gatorade drink, what does the company have?
Whole Foods:
1. Yes, they promote a healthy lifestyle. Everything that has to do with Whole Foods supports their claim. Not only has John Mackey made his salary $1 a year in order to put the money back into the company, but he has also made many efforts to help the less fortunate. For example, when shopping at Whole Foods if a consumer buys a product that has a Whole Trade stamp on it, 10% of the profit goes towards a nonprofit organization aimed at aiding 3rd world countries.
2. I think that without the Whole Foods name, the company would lose a lot of their marketing strategy. The word whole suggests a feeling of collaboration and togetherness, which is something they teach us at Whole Foods. So, I think they are the only one that can make as big of a claim as they do.
3. In a way the product is the star, but the product is food itself. Not a sports drink, or a cup of coffee, but all foods. Food is celebrated at Whole Foods, and they want everyone to realize the consequences when choosing to eat unhealthy food.
Starbucks:
1. Yes, they make a point of being the most accessible “third place” to the business community in the U.S. Their physical presence is not only a giant compared to any other company, they pride themselves on “legendary” customer service. Starbucks’ ambience is also a feeling that keeps customers coming back.
2. No, because Starbucks is famous for customization to the point of absurdity. No other coffee shop can compete with the amazing number of names and combinations that Starbucks can offer.
3. No, Starbucks’ coffee is no better than anyone else’s. The point is what they actually are selling, which is an experience, the ambience.
Microsoft:
1. No, there really is no message and they don’t need one. They have already established a monopoly on technology.
2. Yes, because Microsoft just is. There is no escaping the empire of Bill Gates. The Death Star is fully operational. There is nothing they claim to be doing or will do…
3. There is no star. Products will always come and go for Microsoft, and it will always be successful. They are now a powerhouse when it comes to videogames.