In light of the Halloween festivities that are among us, I'm obviously quickly reminded of my favorite candy and the looting that will happen after my daughter goes to sleep; Nerds or Sour Patch Kids will be on the agenda. Fun Dip and Big League Chew were also a favorite of mine, but nobody passes that out anymore. All this sweetness going on but how different are NERDS, Sour Patch Kids, and Fun Dip as far as flavor profiles go? Not much. Which leads me to my question and point - is it the packaging, artwork and marketing that gives me my fix? Big League Chew had the cool packaging (tobacco like) and cool illustrations on them. I always remember brands and their logos but if you asked me now, I wouldn't be able to draw the logos for any of them if my life depended on it... and I'm a logotype of guy.
THE FANTASTIC 5
Recently, while working on a project of mine, I thought to take a pause and consider 5 Brands/Products that get me through my day. What are the first 5 items and/or brand names, that come to your mind when thinking about your day-to-day? iPhone? Nike? Uber? Trump? Oddly enough, I decided to take a little poll and among the participants that knowingly depend on medications from local drug stores to get them through their days, not a CVS, Walgreens or RiteAid was mentioned. On the contrary, brands/products like Starbucks & Marijuana were common answers in addition to apparel and sneaker brands, gym/athletic related goods (including memberships), grocery store chains or items, and you guessed it, anything Apple. Wait, no Google or Amazon?
IN or OUT
Growing up in rural Indiana, I was focused more on the art of presentation then I was farming. My coal miner dad (insert Zoolander jokes here) convinced me to pick watermelons during the summers if I was going to spend two-hundred fuxxing dollars on Jordans so TV and publications became my #1 source of teleportation to say the least. In addition to cultivating melons of all sorts, I would later find out that the tractors baring the John Deere logos around me, were created by a future teacher and esteemed colleague of mine, by the name of Doyald Young, (rest in peace). Watermelons, John Deere tractors and my illustrious basketball career (one that involved me shooting the ball at the opposing team's basket) were all obvious signs that home is where the heartland is, but I was still looking for a way out. I eventually landed in Boston, 2nd home to Larry Bird. I was embraced to say the least.