Category: Branding
June 10th, 2009

Let’s Color!

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Here's a fun look at the evolution of Crayola's brand over the years. How great does the old stuff look?

Via The Dieline.com

May 14th, 2009

Wolves Would Be Better If They Glowed In The Dark.

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"This item has wolves on it which makes it intrinsically sweet and worth
5 stars by itself, but once I tried it on, that's when the magic
happened…"

What's the one thing we always, always say here at the Mortarblog?

That you have an insatiable hunger for bacon?

No, the other thing.

Never trust the English?

No, the other-other thing.

OK! We didn't study! You got us. Are you happy now? Gah!

We always, always say: The Kids, They Will Mess With Your Brand.

And it looks like the kids have found a hilarious new way to do so. Well, maybe not that new. But still hilarious. Now, if you're the maker of this fine product, and you see your baby being teased on the virtual playground that is the Interweb, what's your next move?

Do you:

A: Jump into the Comments fray and start a flame war?
B: Pull the product?
C: Sit back, take any and all kidding with gentle good humor and then ride your courtesy scooter to the bank with your giant stack of cash?

It's weird when your brand gets away from you. But it's not always bad.

UPDATE 5/22:

What did we say? What did we say!?

Take it away, Washington Post:

"…The New Hampshire company that makes the "Three Wolf Moon" shirt said
that it doesn't generally mind being the butt of this joke.

"You have to be able to laugh at yourself," said Michael McGloin, a
partner and art director at the Mountain, who added that he finds some
of the reviews to be "freaking hilarious."

The company certainly doesn't mind the shirt's recent uptick in
sales: "Three Wolf Moon" is sold out, and the Mountain has started
printing up a fresh batch.
It seems that the wolf theme was growing in
popularity even before the Internet hipsters descended, McGloin said.

"Wolf shirts are super hot right now," he said. "It's the year of the wolf, I guess."

Don't hurt your back hauling those big bags of cash, Mr. McGloin.

If anyone needs us, we'll be in the Smug Satisfaction Suite.

May 6th, 2009

When Uncomfortable Is A Good Thing.

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Hey, remember about a month ago we showed you this new identity work we did for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation? Well, not to toot our own horn or anything, but it got an awfully nice writeup over at Brand New, which is a site we read regularly and respect. We are humbled and grateful.

Thanks, Brand New!

May 1st, 2009

Taste The Happy.


There is nothing we love more than a brand that can take a punch. Remember back in February when this happened? Well, our pals made their triumphant return to The Daily Show the other night, and gave those socialist Swedes what for.
You’ve got free healthcare and 10 weeks a year of paid vacation? Whatever. We’ve got Baconnaise. Do you have Baconnaise? Oh, you don’t? How sad for you.  

April 17th, 2009

Was This In The Torture Memo?

Presenting "Good Cop/Naked Cop." How glad are you we didn't post this in HD?

Funny stuff from Cheerwine, by Hauser Group.

Happy Friday, and thanks, Adrants.