betsy | trotzke

A lesson in corporate typography, as seen on Passive Agressive...

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:22:32 -0400

A lesson in corporate typography, as seen on Passive Agressive Notes.

via LaughingSquid

Do you think we should see “Despicable Me” this...

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:42:13 -0400

Do you think we should see “Despicable Me” this weekend?

Let's all rally around corporate hatred!

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:42:00 -0400

Let's all rally around corporate hatred!:

Listened to NPR’s Morning Edition this morning. There was an an interesting interview with Financial Times columnist Lucy Kellaway who recently wrote about the world’s collective hatred for BP. She illustrated that our collective hatred for corporations and their leaders is a relatively recent phenomenon that can be attributed to four factors:

Emotional hangover from the credit crunch;
The exorbitant salary of executive leaders;
“The internet and social media (“with its power to turn personal emotion into a global epidemic overnight”); and
The personification of business brands

The first three factors seemed pretty obvious. In fact, I wondered why NPR considered this worthy of an interview with Kellaway at all. Not exactly profound information being shared here. But, the last factor intrigued me.

In the past decade, companies have put a great deal of effort into creating brand images that are closely tied to personal values. I personally loathe branding exercises that start with, “If Volvo were a person, what would he be like?” And when we talk about aspirational brand development, we walk a fine line.

As Kellaway puts it, “the more successful they are in creating such a personality, the more there is to love - and hate.” It’s about time that we considered the consequences of brand development that is more tied to who we want to be, then who we actually are.

We fail as marketers if that is our focus. Branding begins with who we are and how others feel about us — today. We can influence perception with carefully crafted messaging, marketing and brand development. And, companies can and should make organizational, philosophical and tangible changes to the way they do business. In no other way is your brand more affected.

But, in a world of instant communication, it’s now more clear than ever that brands reflect who the actually are, not who they want to become at some undetermined point in the future. If that’s your focus, then you’ve already failed.

Listen to the NPR Interview with Lucy Kellaway. Read her Financial Times column (“BP has become the company we all love to hate”).

Just spent a great Memorial Day weekend camping with friends and...

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:46:06 -0400

Just spent a great Memorial Day weekend camping with friends and family. After I got home, I spent hours researching online for new campfire recipes and shopping for more gear. Admittedly, I felt like I was betraying nature by giving up technology for a weekend only to return home and spend hours on the computer. But, then I saw a commercial for “Coleman -The Original Social Networking Site.” (Click for version with voice over by Sam Elliott.)

Appealing to my love of both camping and the Internet, how could I possibly resist? The campaign evokes timeless images of crackling campfires and meals under open skies with friends and families. Coleman also does a good job supporting the campaign’s theme through a campaign website, wallpapers, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube. Even better, the campaign includes iPhone apps. The Coleman Lantern app is a virtual lantern to use in the woods. There is also a Creepy Campfire Tales app complete with sound effects.

Kudos to Coleman for extending the “social networking” campaign effectively online. I hope to see them continue the campaign with other marketing tactics.

"Quickly, bring a beaker of wine so that I may wet my mind and say something cleaver.-Aristophanes"

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:59:00 -0400

“Quickly, bring a beaker of wine so that I may wet my mind and say something cleaver.-Aristophanes”

- One of my favorite quotes. Plus, it seemed fitting for Thirsty Thursday. Did someone say martini?

Birthday Party Photo Frame WallMy older sister, Jill, celebrated...

Tue, 18 May 2010 12:38:46 -0400

Birthday Party Photo Frame Wall
My older sister, Jill, celebrated her 40th birthday this past weekend and we threw a big party in her honor. My twin sister, Katy, is so crafty. She made this super-cool photo frame wall using a $2.99 art frame (purchased at the Goodwill), a large piece of cardboard and a vinyl tablecloth that looks like vintage wall paper. 10 minutes with a staple gun and we had it put together.

We took a ton of photos of the guests using the frame wall. So much fun for less than $5! And Jill will have a great photo album to remember the day. To see all of the photos, view my Flickr photo set. Katy got the idea for the photo wall from this post on Ruffled for a more elaborate photobooth to use at a wedding.

Iron Man also has a Kor Hydration Vessel. How cool is that?!!

Sun, 09 May 2010 22:49:56 -0400

Iron Man also has a Kor Hydration Vessel. How cool is that?!!

Yesterday, we had our Red Cross Heroes Campaign Luncheon....

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:53:37 -0400

Yesterday, we had our Red Cross Heroes Campaign Luncheon. Community-wide, we’ve raised more than $50,000 for the campaign! Even though the campaign has ended, you can still donate. See my campaign site to learn how. (Photo: me with 2010 campaign chairpersons, head coach of IU Football Bill Lynch and his wife Linda).

LOVE THIS - “We have a strategic plan. It’s called...

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 12:19:15 -0400

LOVE THIS - “We have a strategic plan. It’s called doing things” -Herb Kelleher (via swissmiss; order the poster)

Earth Day (via http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/ / CC...

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:19:00 -0400

Earth Day (via http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

This sinus infection is making me miss running a lot this week....

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:20:00 -0400

This sinus infection is making me miss running a lot this week. So, I’m shopping online for new running shoes. What do you think of Nike Free shoes? The lightweight and flexible design simulates barefoot running. Pretty cool.

Inspiration! This quirky necklace makes me miss gardening a ton....

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:46:48 -0400

Inspiration! This quirky necklace makes me miss gardening a ton. It’s already mid-April and the most gardening and yard work I’ve done is picking up a gazillion pine cones. Hopefully, the yard will get some TLC this weekend. (necklace - $35)

I love these illustrations by Mike Rohde from the new 37Signals...

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:40:00 -0400

I love these illustrations by Mike Rohde from the new 37Signals book Rework. I can’t wait to read the book; am definitely more intrigued having seen the illustrations. View all 88 illustrations in their Flickr set. (via swissmiss)

A lot of you have commented on my water bottle lately. I love...

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:14:00 -0400

A lot of you have commented on my water bottle lately. I love it! It holds a ton or water and seems to be completely spill resistent. The shape and handle also make it really easy to grab and go.

My Kor One Hydration Vessel (funny name) was a Valentine’s Day gift from Mike. He bought it at Bloomingfoods, but you can also purchase via the Kor Water website. The vessels come in blue, green, orange and pink. Each color equates to a donation to a different environmental organization. The green water bottle benefits the Wetland Initiative.

This is where I’d rather be today.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:46:40 -0500

This is where I’d rather be today.

Help Me Be a Hero for Red Cross! I’m trying to raise $1,000...

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:39:10 -0500

Help Me Be a Hero for Red Cross!

I’m trying to raise $1,000 before April 28 to support emergency and disaster relief services on a local level as part of the Heroes for American Red Cross campaign. I’ve got a long way to go and would love your support. Read more about my campaign at http://betsytrotzke.chipin.com/red-cross-heroes-2010

Reposting a video of my niece, Libby. She’s growing fast...

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:45:00 -0500

Reposting a video of my niece, Libby. She’s growing fast and has a ton of energy! Great video mom and dad Mabbitt. Now, if I could only get my other siblings to post photos and videos of my other nieces and nephews …

Totally cute die-cut invitations with customizable printed cards...

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:07:45 -0500

Totally cute die-cut invitations with customizable printed cards by Sarah LeClere. Fantastic illustrations. My favorites are the shoes and the kitchen mixer. (Thanks for sharing, Anne!)

I Love OK Go, but don’t know how I missed this video of...

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:25:00 -0500

I Love OK Go, but don’t know how I missed this video of “This Too Shall Pass.” Awesome. It features the Notre Dame marching band. Some in camouflage. (via What Would Tyler Durden Do?)

Great event for a great cause! Bloomington folks: Get your...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:00 -0500

Great event for a great cause! Bloomington folks: Get your tickets for the Red Cross Ebony and Ivory event at the Tudor Room on IU’s campus. This event is part of Bloomington’s annual Week of Chocolate.