Lights? Check. Cameras? Check. Commercials? You got it.

The 84th annual Academy Awards were nothing short of memorable and left us with the spirit of that old Hollywood glamour. The glitz, the ads and the magic of cinema make up what is perhaps one of my favorite nights of the year.

According to Mashable, “Social conversations have taken on an increasingly important role in the 2012 awards season.” Even before the show, the Oscars red carpet received attention not only from viewers but from followers on interactive platforms all over the world, who noticed the stunt pulled by Sasha Baron Cohen a.k.a “The Dictator” on Ryan Seacrest, with the hopes of promoting his new film. A Twitter account that goes by the name of @AngiesRightLeg was created minutes after the star paraded herself into the stage and struck a pose that left everyone wondering “What’s up with Angelina Jolie?” The Muppets, Cirque du Soleil and Diet Coke were just a few of the world renowned brands who combined their presence at the awards ceremony with a unique twist on social media.

But alas, let’s hit the ads. From Diet Coke’s tailor-made campaign for the Oscars, Ellen Degeneres’ much talked about endorsement for the (newly refreshed) JCPenny brand, here are More than Branding’s favorite spots of the Academy Awards 2012:

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Diet Coke

Title: ”Hollywood”

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Johnson’s Baby

Title: “You’re going OK, Mom”

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JCPenny (or now simply JCP)

Title: “Ellen: 50′s Wake-Up”

Title: ”Ellen: Roman Returns”

Title: ”Ellen: Western Coupons”

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Hyundai

Title: “Modern Life”

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Mercedes-Benz

Title: “Art- The 2013 SL Roadster”

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Kraft- Macaroni & Cheese

Title: “Diamond Jubilee”

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Apple

Title: “iCloud Harmony”

By Maria Elena Moré

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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding)

 

Scott Schuman and Garance Doré are perhaps two of my favorite bloggers on the planet. Passion and dedication is what defines them, parralled with their unique sense of style and eye for the brilliant. Their world-renowned blogs- The Sartorialist and Garance Doré- serve as an inspiration powerhouse for enthusiasts and experts that wish to sink their teeth into a perfect world.

Fellow blogger and friend, and not to mention a lover for all that is fashion, Amalia Vega shared this video with me recently. It’s a behind the scenes look at Garace and Scott’s shooting for the Tiffany and Co. campaign entitled “What makes true love.” See if you can spot a certain brand’s awesome product placement.

By Maria Elena Moré, in collaboration with Amalia Vega

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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding)

Yes, I know. 2011 has flown by. It seems it was only yesterday when saw Google Zeitgeist’s awesome Year in Review for 2010.

On that same spirit, they have recently published this year’s version on their site, where you can check out the trends and searches from all over the world in different categories, such as: Fastest Rising People, Maps, Consumer Electronics, News, Food & Drink, among others. From Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber, to the Greek riots, to the Royal Wedding, it brings us marketers a great insight- an overview of how the world moved and what influenced it. Or as Sheila Shayon from Brandchannel says: “Beyond revealing the spirit of the times, it’s also a fascinating local snapshot.”

Here’s a look into the top moments from 2011:

 

By Maria Elena Moré
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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).

 

 

It’s always a pleasure to witness how some brands change the course of history. They have the ability of shaking things up even when it all seemed said and done. They take the industry to a whole new dimension.

It was only in my first year of college when I came across Jean-Marie Dru’s classic book entitled “Disruption.” It stuck with me ever since. Advertising executive and Chairman of TBWA Worldwide is best known for this strategic concept that has become the heart of a philosophy capable of redefining market strategies and shifting perceptions. It’s based in the pursuit of the unconventional, the extraordinary and the memorable. “Disruption is a manner of questioning the way things are, of breaking with what has been done and seen before, of rejecting the conventional. Its name implies the idea of rupture, of non-linearity, a before and after in the life of a brand.”

In order to succeed in the crowded marketplace, you must rely on intuition, imagination and above all, innovation.  It’s just as he puts it: brands must be an agent of change.

In this infographic by Focus.com we can see how 7 companies uniquely shifted the rules of the game. Shakers that have lead to a profound change capable of altering the market and forcing others to rethink their strategies. “They write the new rules of competition. They understand that change is an engine for growth.”

I can’t help but wonder, who will come up with the next disruptive idea and what will it be?

 

 

By Maria Elena Moré
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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding)

 

One of my all-time favorite sites, Mashable, has just published this awesome Infographic commemorating 35 years of Apple product design, or as my friends like to call it, beauty personified…

Master Jobs and his army of men have created an empire of products that have either succeeded or failed in the digital era- but most, and by most I mean almost all, have shaped the scope of the market of consumer electronics. And even more importantly, they have altered our experience towards it.

As I mentioned not long ago on my post entitled “The Importance of Product Design and Packaging in Branding”, product design is vital when it comes to brand image. Those who master the art of aesthetics have a better chance of making a sale based on emotions, and establishing bonds that last longer. In our minds, the market leader will always be the brand that captures the essence of innovation, vision and perseverance towards products that today will shape our tomorrow.  

By Maria Elena Moré

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Connect with More Than Branding on Facebook and Twitter (@MTBranding).