Week 10: BOC/EOC: Les Paul and His Band of Renown

Les Paul.

When people hear this name, one thing usually comes to mind: guitars. And for good reason. "Before his attention was diverted toward recording multi-layered hits for the pop market, he made his name as a brilliant jazz guitarist" (CMT). Interestingly, he couldn't read music. What he did have was "a magnificent ear and innate sense of structure, conceiving complete arrangements entirely in his head before he set them down track by track on disc or tape" (CMT). Fast-forward to 1940, when Paul created his "innovative guitar, "The Log", built after-hours in the Epiphone guitar factory in 1940, was one of the first solid-body electric guitars" (Wiki).

"Paul also made several records with his Trio for Decca from 1944 to 1947, including jazz, country, and Hawaiian sides, and backed singers like Dick Haymes, Helen Forrest, and the Andrews Sisters" (CMT).

Les Paul died of pneumonia in 2009, but he left his mark as the father of American popular music forever.

http://goo.gl/doodle/gWH9

EOC: Week 9: Creative Content

I have a few ideas for my creative content. My initial inspiration came from the new Pepsi Skinny Can. It looks like it could be the perfect jumping off point for how I want to package my vodka. It looks like the kind of packaging energy drinks use (and my vodka gives you energy--without caffeine). I'm also going to be utilizing the fact that my vodka is all-natural. I'll do that by creating a logo that gives off the idea of "green". It'll probably be a green can with a slightly darker green, or possibly other dark color, leaf in the center. "Ergo" will go in the center of the leaf, or possibly below it.

EOC: Week 9: Three Great Mission Statements

A key ingredient in a successful marketing strategy (and, in turn, a successful product), is a great mission statement. Here are a few good mission statements from my classmates on our Vodka project.

First is Keri's. Her mission statement for "On the Rocks" is clear, concise, and gives you a real sense of what the vodka stands for and what it means for the environment. It just comes right out and tells the consumer that they are receiving a high-quality product. On The Rocks gives you "distribute and sell the finest quality all natural, hand selected Vodka...which, in turn, will give you the most natural experience". That's a simple and clean way to tell your customers what you do and how you do it.
Sean's mission statement is really great as well. His reminds me of the Becherovka statement we looked at in class. It speaks clearly of the process the vodka goes through to get to you, and that gives you a really good sense of the value of the product you are going to enjoy. He goes into a long discussion of the process, but finally reminds you that you will "Enjoy the Best 40 years of great tasting vodka with our Vice Vodka Collection, It will surprise you. Vice Vodka make it your Vice."
Finally, Danielle's mission statement. Hers has a "don't give a damn about what you think" feel and that might be synonymous with the brand she's trying to create. She is just trying to "provide our customers with the ultimate inebriated experience" for the lowest possible price. Period. That's her niche, and I respect that approach.