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Experience Pros Unmistakable Brand

David Sandusky — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 22:56:48 GMT

Angel Tuccy and Eric Reamer are starting a Revolution in How People Treat People in Business. As co-founder and c-author Eric Reamer said today on a special Saturday Your Brand Radio, "treating customers well is common sense, but it has not been common practice." Angel and Eric are on a mission to change that through their Experience Pros business, radio show, meetup events and books. This book and the conversation is a good brand lesson. It is about the experience, not the marketing or words we use.

Lists That Saved My Business: From the Best Selling Author of "Lists That Saved My Life" is now available on Amazon.

Experience Pros Angel Tuccy and Eric Reamer are unmistakable personal brands. Their gratitude and overall behaviour around people is remarkable. A unique case in point happened today during the book signing release party. Mark Crowley and I interviewed visitors to the party to hear testimonials for the work Angel and Eric provide. Meanwhile, Mark, sitting next to the table where Angel and Eric ad been signing books, noticed something unique. Many people thanked them. I have been to many book signing release parties and the like and what you commonly hear from the supportive community is "congratulations". That happened on this day too, but the fact people commonly thank the authors for the value they add in training and content speaks volumes. Angel and Eric are making a difference and consistently treating customers well. It is obvious.

There is no doubt in my mind the reason this book is climbing the Amazon charts today is the relationship and unmistakable personal brands. More proof about the fact popular authors like Seth Godin can sell a lot of books directly to a network when the brand is known and respected by a community.

Neil McKenzie Pounding the Creatives and Business Drum

David Sandusky — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 17:33:49 GMT

One of the sure signs you have an unmistakable personal brand is when buzz and conversation about you is consistently on brand and often. That is the case with Neil McKenzie. I will never grow tired of someone telling me they met Neil and talked about supporting the creative business economy in Denver and beyond.

Neil adds value online as a regular contributor on places like Colorado BIZ Magazine, #brandchat and Your Brand Radio. With his mission fully in place, Neil started his own blog community called and about Creatives and Business.

Online is one thing but Neil hits the streets and pounds the drum of the creative economy and that is what I want to point out. Neil is an incredibly effective networker meeting with the arts and creative economy supporting leaders in Denver. Neil is a sought after leader himself. With passion and genuine care, Neil created the Artrepreneurship course at the Center for Innovation in Denver. That course alone is creating buzz in the community for the college because Neil tells everyone about it. He pounds the drum. There is purpose. I've met some of his students and I have sat in his class. Neil has a tough love personality with students and community leaders alike. He tells it how it is and does not sugar coat the responsibility and work ethic required to be successful in business. He requires creatives to understand the business they are in. He is in that business as a successful Denver Photographer. His message crosses your business too. Neil has seen a lot in his wonderful career, people respond and I LOVE IT!

What can you learn from Neil McKenzie? When you find a passion where your creative problem solving skills, core competencies and values all line up...you pound the drum and DON'T STOP! People notice, they talk about it and the evangelism of brand champions live on without you. Sustained beyond you.

"The Y" Experiencing the Name

David Sandusky — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:42:41 GMT

Any time an organization changes a name there will be questions around the strategy for the brand. In some cases the expansion of a brand is a legitimate reason. Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. is the first to come to my mind. Others change names to end the memory of a bad brand.

Today in the non-profit world a 160 year old institution officially changed their name from Y.M.C.A. to The Y.
My immediate thought was, sure, other than the popular song by the Village People, I don't recall anyone referring the to Y.M.C.A. as the Y.M.C.A. Kids and others say things like "I'm going to the Y". "There is an event at the Y".
Creating a name as the community you serve calls it is worth consideration.

�It�s a way of being warmer, more genuine, more welcoming, when you call yourself what everyone else calls you,� said Kate Coleman, the organization�s senior vice president and chief marketing officer.

Any change will solicit comment. I have seen people question the reason for the name change from accusing the organization of dropping the "C" which stands for Christian to complaints about cost associated to changing logos and all marketing collateral.

I see it as kids recognizing where they go aligned with what they say. The PR opportunity to reiterate the core values and mission - what the brand stands for. Time will tell if the marketing and PR of the change work in the business of fundraising and awareness.

There are many reasons for the change and I trust the board and leadership took time and diligence. It seems a two year study in the needs of communities is part of the decision.

It is a big deal when a non-profit considers the donation pool and passionate stakeholders. I think of Campfire USA today. This organization is 100 years old this year! Did you know that? You might be asking the question that often comes up from those who benefited from this great organization and that is wondering if I meant to say Campfire Girls. Campfire Girls change their name to Campfire USA in the 1970's. The organization introduced boys into the mission. Problem is 30 years later, boomer ladies refer to Campfire Girls and Blue Birds when they recall memories, not Campfire USA. Further challenge lies in the actual experiences. Great organization, but the best source of passion and potential donations is telling different stories. I think that is why you don't know this is Campfire's 100 year anniversary.

Could this happen to The Y at 200 years? I don't think so and this is the point of this discussion (do comment if you disagree). Those who have benefited from The Y refer to The Y as The Y and so do their kids. The brand name was hijacked by those who use it. This causes a direct relationship to naming the experience. Memories and results equal evangelism. The community served owns the brand.

Campfire USA - > you mean Campfire Girls? This is bad. The Y -> you mean the Y.M.C.A? Don't see this happening.

Heidi Ganahl - It�s all about the dogs!

David Sandusky — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:32:51 GMT

Heidi Ganahl is an unmistakable personal brand. This Denver / Boulder based entrepreneur is a remarkable example of how to start a business based on a passion and a need you feel should be filled as a customer. For Heidi, caring for dogs is the mission and innovation keeps her positioned for success.

Heidi's mission is delivered through Camp Bow Wow which provides the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its Campers, and peace of mind for their parents. Building a successful business model which values fun, safety and service for the client (dogs), the other client (dog owners or "parents") experience peace of mind. Through innovation and technology, such as web cams, parents access peace of mind first hand. Innovation in delivery of the mission is spreading to create brand champions in the form of franchise owners and charity volunteers. As the business grows, the original purpose and risk taken by Heidi remains the same; it's all about the dogs!

It is not easy. Building the largest dog care franchise business in America with current annual revenues around $50 million and more than 275 franchises can't be easy. That story gets the media attention standing alone, but Heidi's amazing story has deeper roots. She has overcome personal tragedy and is open about personal mistakes along the journey - consistent with many entrepreneurs who give back by allowing open dialog on lessons learned; part of what makes the entrepreneur brand amazing.

What strikes me so impressive about Heidi is how she behaves. Outside of her core business day, she is consistent. Total authentic personal brand. I've seen this in Heidi on camera, in print, social media on stage public speaking or helping create programs outsider her core like the franchise model at the Center for Innovation in Denver. Heidi uses the same playful words and operates from a place of being the customer. Being the customer helps us make great decisions on behalf of the customer experience. Easy concept to say, remarkable to implement!

Pinkberry Culture Creates Lines of Groupies

David Sandusky — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:14:15 GMT

I have heard of Pinkberry, but it was not until a franchise owner opened a Pinkberry a block away from our studio / office in Denver, CO that I realized this place is a BIG deal. Before they opened, we noticed cars and people pulling up and revolving around the parking lot in anticipation of opening day. Soft opening day resulted in lines around the corner of the building, maybe 100 people? Opening day, same thing. Over a week later, same thing, every day, open to close. My wife, Julie, and I literally pass by everyday and look forward to the opening buzz to die down so we can see what the big deal is with Pinkberry. We don't seem to have the time to wait in line for frozen yogurt, but we are clearly alone in the choice.

As a business owner supporting business owners, I am jumping up and down THRILLED for the franchise owner and entrepreneur creators of Pinkberry. Any time you see a business open and constant traffic, good things are happening.

So what is creating these Pinkberry Groupies? Can the product be that good? Doing a quick Google search will point you to reviews and commentary pretty easy. Consensus is the product is good. Look slightly deeper and you will find the success is the culture created. The experience. The brand.

Pinkberry has made frozen yogurt cool. Even Megan Fox celebrates her birthday at Pinkberry :p.

Pinkberry genius marketing at work is one of the best examples of a culture brand that recruits and retains engaged brand groupies. People are going to the shops and spending money to be part of the buzz and they are taking the experience online.

A culture of engagement
groupies tab where groupies create profiles to connect, share and all that facebook stuff

a blog where you can submit blog posts: Have an interesting story or blog? Send it to fellow_groupie@pinkberry.com

facebook page which I believe is intended to drive to the first two points then be disassembled (more on that in another post)

active foursquare strategy to unlock special offers for local mobile marketing that drives actual sales

twitter to drive traffic to the first two points

Tim Tebow Unmistakable Personal Brand Already?

David Sandusky — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:56:29 GMT

Usually a track record of high production and success while maintaining a reputation for staying true to core values and personal mission is enough for a market to predict whether or not people are a good investment. No doubt this is not always true.

In football, success in the NFL does not always follow success in college football. Look at JaMarcus Russell and Matt Leinart as two examples.

Then comes Tim Tebow to the Denver Broncos from Florida where he earned the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore and is a two-time BCS National Champion. He is also known for being a great guy.

Many sports writers and fans have criticized the Broncos first round pick stating Tebow's success in College will not tranfer to the NFL. They might be right, time will tell.

What we know to date is Tim Tebow has a remarkable following and brand and not just from the Florida faithful. He is getting John Elway type press recognition. The first day of the Broncos' mini-camp, five days after the draft, there were 47 media members trying to capture Tebow.

Tebow's Broncos jersey is the fastest selling rookie jersey in history according to the NFL.

"Within the next five years, Tim clearly has a chance to be one of the most endorsable athletes on the planet," Sexton [Tebow's agent] said. "I had one CEO of a major Fortune 500 company tell me, 'You know what, Jimmy? For a corporation to put a face on their brand, this guy (Tebow) is the real deal. He's the one guy who's not going to be a scandal two or three years from now.' "

Expectations are high for Tebow to be a difference maker. Will it be as a stating quarterback in the NFL?

Metro State College Alumni Core Values

David Sandusky — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:25:33 GMT

Missions, Values and Vision are only as good as they are carried out. This is a difference between brand and marketing.

The Alumni Association at Metropolitan State College of Denver has a mission and vision that the alumni population live the values of the college. There is no better way to prove active examples of shared values then to highlight alumni who behave this way in business and community.

I was honored to be a presenter of the alumni of the year awards this week and as a past recipient of Alumni of the Year - Giving Back in 2008, I take extra pride in the individual stories of these remarkable people. Below is the short story of the 2010 winners. These great people are dedicated, work hard and are good people. Unmistakable personal brands in each value represented.

The "Giving Back" Award Winner for 2010 is Meghan Stinton, 2007, Journalism
A young professional who bucks the stereotype of the entitled Y-Generation, Meghan Stinton wins this year�s �Giving Back� award for her community involvement, integrity and leadership. In addition to regularly volunteering with the Women�s Bean Project, Stinton served as one of the first professional liaisons to the Public Relations Student Society of Metro State. According to a colleague, Stinton was �instrumental in securing speakers from the professional sector for the students; providing advice for soon-to-be graduates; and serving as a role model through her leadership and professionalism. She was a champion for this program at Metro State because she was aware of the value of the relationships she had developed during her academic career. Her accomplishments speak to her integrity and character. You couldn�t find a better role model or recipient for this award�.

The �Making a Difference� Award winner of the 2010 �Making a Difference� Award goes to Piper Billups, 1999, Marketing
Piper Billups was given the �Making a Difference� award this year for her long-term dedication to the community. Through her work with The Spread Her Wings Foundation, which she founded in 2009, Billups assists 6th- and 7th-grade girls to become strong, independent young women by exposing them to life changing experiences, while teaching them to stay true to themselves so they can have a positive impact on others in their community and throughout the world. According to Alumni Association Board President Eric Peterson, (also a 1999 Marketing Graduate), Billups is a dedicated philanthropist who makes a difference in her family, her community and the state. �She continues to prove that supporting our youth is important and that the investment that is made now will pay off 10 times over in the future.�

The second recipient of the �Making a Difference� Award is Lorne Donaldson, 1986, Physical Education
Elected to the Metro State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995, Donaldson has coached and played soccer at the international, professional and collegiate levels. He was selected as an NAIA All-American, was an assistant coach for the Colorado Rapids, and currently presides over the Real Colorado Soccer Club, which he founded in 1986. The club trains more than 5,000 kids and has produced both female and male players who have gone on to represent America in international competitions. However, according to Metro State Athletic Director Joan McDermott, Donaldson�s influence extends well beyond just his accomplishments. �Lorne�s commitment to each player extends beyond the field as he empower them with life skills taught through dedication, perseverance, work ethic and the challenges of competition,� she says. �He has begun a legacy of producing teams and players that are respected locally, nationally and internationally for their on-field, academic and personal accomplishments.�

The "Metro State Pride" Award goes to Dany Hardin, 2007, Management
Magna Cum Laude graduate Dany Hardin wins this year�s �Metro State Pride� award for her unwavering pride in the College. She founded the Metro State College of Denver Alumni Business Networking Club, whose mission is to bring together graduates of Metro State to support each other in their careers. A frequent supporter and attendee of Alumni Association and College events, Hardin is always vocal and proud of her Metro State education. She has also been involved with other organizations that promote the excellence of the College�s undergraduates. Hardin is involved in Students in Free Enterprise, which has a global mission of bringing �the top leaders of today and tomorrow to create a better, more sustainable world through the positive power of business.� According to Professor Ronald Taylor, from the Department of Management, �Ms. Hardin is an eminent example of the core values embraced by the Alumni Association. It is difficult to envision a more selfless and tireless advocate of Metro State.�

The "Work Ethic" award goes Dr. Gregory Aarons, 1990, Psychology
Gregory Aarons won this year�s award for the category of �Work Ethic.� Aarons has come a long way from his days at Metro State. The various awards he won as a student�Outstanding Student in Letters, Arts & Sciences, a National Service Award and a Special Service Award for Academic Affairs�set him up for a successful career in psychology. He earned both a masters degree and doctorate in psychology and now, in addition to being licensed psychologist, he is the Principal Investigator of two research grants from the National Institute of Health. Dr. Aarons has published more than 60 scientific peer-reviewed journal articles and has made more than 100 scientific presentations. According to Dr. Aarons, �Metro State inspired my work ethic; it opened the doors for my future opportunities and accomplishments.�

Our first-ever "Future Alumnus" award goes to Andrew Bateman, expected graduation 2010, in Theatre and Psychology
Andrew Bateman perfectly embodies the newest of the awards��Future Alumnus�. A tireless proponent of student�s rights, Bateman has actively and aggressively utilized his Student Government Assembly positions as a senator, vice president and president to influence change throughout the College and State. He has mastered the art of politics, from arguing for less expensive textbooks on Colorado Public Radio and discussing the advantages of �Going Green� on 9News, to coordinating large protests and marches on the Capitol to get the student message across. According to Stefanie Carroll, Assistant Director at the Office of Alumni Relations, �Andrew is a stellar example of a dedicated and motivated student, who is making a difference not only for the current students he represents, but also for future Metro State students. I have no doubt he will make far-reaching contributions to the community as an alumnus.�

�Distinguished Alumnus" award winner Edward Jacobs, Jr., 1996, Computer Information Systems.
Senior Instructional Technologist for the Education Technology Center, Edward Jacobs, Jr. wins this year�s �Distinguished Alumnus� award because of his wholehearted love and dedication to Metro State. Not only will you find Jacobs regularly attending and taking photos at Metro State athletics games, but his office walls are covered with College paraphernalia.
Manisha Pinge, a co-worker, says he is a �tremendous individual� who is a pleasure to work with on a daily basis. �Ed inspires others to excel,� she adds. �His enthusiasm and commitment to his job demonstrates his talent and dedication on a daily basis.� More than 20 co-workers and colleagues submitted letters recommending that Jacobs win this award. According to co-worker Alex McDaniel, another fellow alumnus, �Ed�s dedication to the College by far surpasses that of any other employee. The College is truly privileged to have an outstanding alumnus like Ed.�

Shannon Webber, 2004, Political Science, is our other 2010 �Distinguished Alumnus� winner
Not only does Webber regularly volunteer for women�s crisis centers and the program �Girls Rock�, but she consistently gives back to the Metro State community through her outreach work with Denver Public Schools, the Metro State Access Center and the Metro State Excel Program.
A Financial Aid Counselor at the Metro State Financial Aid and Scholarship Center, she works tirelessly on behalf of hundreds of students annually who've lost their financial aid. She has also streamlined the grant application process to make it easier for students to apply for financial aid.
�Shannon makes a difference in the lives of students and administrators by going out of her way to compassionately and effectively communicate on behalf of the students she serves,� says co-worker Janina Edwards. �She exhibits Metro State pride by representing Metro State to various communities across Denver and by encouraging students of all backgrounds to believe in their abilities and to attend Metro State.�

A Collection of Unmistakable Personal Brands by one, David Siteman Garland

David Sandusky — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:36:24 GMT

One of the best signs that you have an unmistakable brand is consistently showing up as a resource on short lists just by doing what you totally love. When it comes to adding value on the leading edge of learning in marketing related activity, the same people come up on blog post. Whether you hire them, buy what they sell or not, they are a credible resource.

I saw David Siteman Garland's post highlighting 22 Forward-Thinking Marketers That Will Help You Rise To The Top and guess what? Unmistakable.

David gets the nod on this unmistakable personal brand blog post for two reasons. 1) he is showing consistent value on his network around growing your business and 2) his post highlighted above is a great summary. I want you to watch the video interviews, follow via the twitter links and blog links he provides for you. Nice value! David's summary video at the top is good too and I like how his sponsors are included at the beginning. Support them!

David mentions in his introduction video that he has not yet met all he includes but he too feels confident including them in a 22-person list. Why, he knows they will add value. Likewise, I learned about a few new people myself and have not talked to others like Anita Campbell since she interviewed me about personal brand way back in early 2007. The point is the personal brand value and values stand out larger than the people themselves. That is how people get noticed for adding value and end up on lists such as David's as well as guests on Your Brand Radio and feed in the appropriate business and career forums.

There are so many great brands out there that are popular in their circle of influence but are not as known in the mediums of traditional and new media. People like David Siteman Garland, your mentor or that CFO that is on the executive recruiter and venture capital list only. People who make a BIG impact and are not afraid to make mistakes as they concur fear. Not all are famous on or offline, that is not the point. Getting on the lists of those who value your work and HIRE you is the point!

To be an unmistakable personal brand, know what you love, add consistent value in what you love, recruit and retain unmistakable personal brands who LOVE what they do!

#brandchat Community of Unmistakable Personal Brands

David Sandusky — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:04:38 GMT

Usually as a community grows, it becomes more difficult to maintain a level of brand values intended from the beginning. Recruiting and retaining brand champions who have shared values and purpose helps tremendously. Such recruiting should be the core of any good brand strategy. In an open community where anyone is welcome to share opinion and present a point of view, the ability to maintain a level of value can become difficult. This could pose a problem in an open twitter chat community, so one might think.

#brandchat created by @mariaduron and me, @davidsandusky is proving the right people can softly recruit the right people just by valuing a conversation culture on twitter around a shared interest. Adding value without marketing yourself draws people who add value without marketing themselves. Makes for a great brand. Great brands earn brand champions who correctly refer the right business.

This is precisely what is happening on #brandchat. This growing community is consistent in how each person contributes value on the chat and in everyday use on twitter. I could guess with confidence the same behavior exists offline - I know it does within the people I personally know well. These unmistakable personal brands in bank balance networking are perfect examples of how to use twitter. Proof: I created a #brandchat twitter list consisting of people who add value on a #brandchat. Many are regulars, many chime in when they can and many are new to the chat as they heard about it from a twitter friend. Regardless, they are on this list for adding value on questions we discuss; questions often presented by #brandchat participants on the #brandchat facebook page or to Maria Elena or myself directly.

I feel great to tell you if you watch the #brandchat twitter list feed any time you will see value. You will see conversation and a group of people on-brand. Try it!

To see a chat in summary form visit and contribute to the #brandchat forum which is also where questions are posted prior to chats on Wednesdays.

tompeters! Brand

David Sandusky — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:01:24 GMT

Some professionals create an unmistakable personal brand by simply doing something well for a long time. You could say that is why Tom Peters is so successful but that would not be doing him justice. In the commodity of management gurus and leadership definers, Tom Peters is the one setting his tone for the rest to follow. His energy and passion are consistent across wide subject matter all organized around YOUR thinking of leading values across organization and self.
- photo by Allison Shirreffs

Since we like to highlight people making BIG impact rather than simply surviving, Tom Peters is the next unmistakable personal brand!

I like the Tom Peters brand of management consulting and speaking. He comes off as if he is talking down to us. He is. What Peters often talks about is not hard to figure out. As a matter of fact it is common sense. I think he knows managers and leaders know this but still fail. So he talks as if he is annoyed he has to tell us that you don't promote the best sales person to a leadership role when you need a leader. Companies do it anyway. Tom Peters must keep consistent with his message while innovating ways to inspire new thinking in management; even though innovation has a hint of "duh" to it. His website has many video clips, a blog and we can follow Tom Peters on twitter. DO IT!

Mari Smith Unmistakable Personal Brand

David Sandusky — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:11:54 GMT

You don' have to follow Mari Smith long to see she is having a blast! Plenty of LOL and w0000Ting and other fun personality in 140 characters or less. :D

Mari is best known online for adding significant value to social networking for fun and profits. Particularly with facebook. Her blog, why facebook, is a hit! The Mari Smith Fan Page is a great example of how to create a fan page for your business.

I become aware of Mari when facebook started to become a professional relationship and business connecting playground. Her name and resources kept coming up when I would look for tips and techniques to be effective on facebook. At that time I learned Mari and her husband Ty sold everything in San Diego and hit the road for a RV mobile lifestyle. I was intrigued, read more and feel like I got to know Mari. All along I was learning about facebook pages and certain applications quicker than if I poked around myself which is what I normally do. As a result I shared specific blog posts and how to follow her in the appropriate forums here on www.YourBrandPlan.com. I personally know people found Mari from posts on the forums and benefited from connecting with her on facebook and/or twitter. Most people do not go out of their way to tell me about a third party find as a result of searching for something on the forums. That is unique.

I was inspired to write about Mari Smith as an unmistakable brand in the personal brand blog because when I finally got around to researching how to create a custom tab and content on my facebook pages, I found her step by step post on how to create a custom landing tab to your facebook fan page. I knew I need not look more for easy instructions and I started to create some tabs in minutes. Thank you to Mari and that is an unmistakable personal brand!

Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno Unmistakable Personal Brands

David Sandusky — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:17:53 GMT

Jay Leno is the center of NBC late night television drama, again. I am actually fascinated by what happens this time around because I think NBC is making mistakes left and right as it relates to the personal brand of both Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien. The Jay Leno show and the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien are less relevant in context of this blog about unmistakable personal brands. In other words it does not matter what the writers and producers of the shows do, the popularity and future of each show, where ever they ultimately land, will be about the entertainer/show host and the behavior of the television audience.

Let's start with Conan O'Brien because he has 100,000 more facebook fans on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien fan page than The Jay Leno Show. This is relevant in audience behavior.

The way I see the Conan O'Brien personal brand does not mesh with the early late night crowd. His hilarious standup comedy, skits and antics are loud and obnoxious just like the studio audience. This does not sit well with the prepping for bed audience in my opinion. The behavior of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno television audience moved to Nightline on ABC. Will they come back? It depends on the new habits of the falling asleep behavior. The shows can change, but the hosts will not and should not. So, unless Fox picks up O'Brien to fit within the Simpsons culture where Conan O'Brien was a writer, He may be on a long train to being done. O'Brien has waited a long time for the coveted Tonight Show spot. Leno looks like he will be getting it back but only for a half hour. O'Brien may be waiting again only to find that his personality will not be welcomed at 11:35 for reasons I already stated. The television audience may be writing the reality ticket for these guys and NBC does not have clue.

Jay Leno does a good job poking fun at NBC and makes light of the current situation. Remember five years ago when he announced retirement only to come out later in a monologue to announce his prime time slot. He said to NBC during his monologue, "you can't get rid of me that easily!" Well Maybe NBC should now. His show is getting canceled after ratings complaints from NBC affiliates. No surprise in my mind. His late night talk show format does not work in prime time mainstream television. People want to engage with the drama or go to cable and engage with cable format talk television. Leno will go back after late local news for a half-hour experiment that will fail in my opinion. NBC will learn, maybe, about Conan O'Brien's personality not a fit after the late local news and, bam, new generation of late night television on NBC.

How long and who do you think it will be...assuming you agree with me.

The Barrel Man, Unmistakable Fan

David Sandusky — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:55:12 GMT

One of the best examples of a brand champion is the fan who loves his team no matter what and proves it rain or shine. In Denver and the Pro Football Hall of Fame via the Hall of Fans, The Barrel Man (Tim McKernan) is an unmistakable personal brand. The Barrel Man is a super fan at every home game at Mile High Stadium (INVESCO Field at Mile High now) wearing nothing but an orange barrel that covered his mid-section, a cowboy hat and boots.

The Barrel Man has been going to Broncos games since 1967 and started to become a staple in 1977. Story goes that he lost a bet with his brother over whether wearing a barrel would get him on television. He won, wearing one painted to resemble an Orange Crush can. This was during the days of the famous "orange crush defense" Everyone in Denver knows the Barrel Man.

McKernan died on December 5, 2009 of lung failure. We have heard many stories from current and former Broncos with appreciation of the super fan and the chatter has started to get The Barrel Man on the "Ring of Fame" at Mile High Stadium. We Mile High Salute you Barrel Man!

Die hard fans like me remember this spoof of the song "I Love L.A." - Check out "I love Elway" featuring the Barrel Man himself.

Rush Limbaugh Brand Too Successful for NFL Brand?

David Sandusky — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:33:59 GMT

Could the fact that Rush Limbaugh enjoys an unmistakable personal brand be the reason he is cut out of his desire to be a NFL franchise owner? How does the most listened to radio talk show in America, broadcasting on over 600 radio stations nationwide play?

You know what you get from Limbaugh from commentary on his show whether you love or hate him. Would other team owners worry about the power of the blow horn and controversy - even those who agree with the politics? Generally fans do not hear much from professional sport team owners accept for maybe Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones certainly Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. Cuban has popular blog called Blog Maverick where he does comment on why the NFL can't let Limbaugh be a team owner. Cuban's personality has created controversy, but few have the reach of Rush Limbaugh. Is that to much success and power when freedom of speech could be the NFL's "issue" of the day?

The Rush Limbaugh Show website tags the host as America's Truth Detector; the Doctor of Democracy; the Most Dangerous Man in America; the All-Knowing, All-Sensing, All-Everything Maha Rushie; defender of motherhood, protector of fatherhood and an all-around good guy.

There is a "consensus" among the American people, who have made this the most listened to program, that it is also the most accurate, most right, and most correct.
People who disagree with this are Rush Deniers.

Is there a simple clash of two very successful brands where one does not see room for the other?

"Most Trusted Man in America"

David Sandusky — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:19:11 GMT

With the passing of a legend, you hear the same thing over and over including the impact a person has on an individual by the individual. That consistent experience had by a population is the mark of an unmistakable personal brand.

When Tim Russert died of a heart attack, we heard how he changed the standard of preparedness in interviewing for both journalist and guest on the popular show Meet the Press. We heard, and I felt, we would never see another Tim Russert. But we can be inspired by his passion and way of preparedness. That is a lasting impression doing it like Tim Russert.

Yesterday we learned the 92 year old newsman Walter Cronkite died.

During Cronkite's masterful 30 year career, people connected with him because of his honesty, professionalism and passion for story telling. He became known as the "most trusted man in America".

Cronkite was not afraid to try new things, he was a pioneer. I bet he would have embraced social media like twitter as an early adopter. He created the "anchor" position and was the first managing editor and producer of a evening news show. CBS Evening News was at the top of the ratings when Cronkite retired. Cronkite remains an influence in the business even as he has passed.

Married to his wife Betsy for 62 years, Walter Cronkite will be remembered as a long time dedicated family man, how he delivered the Kennedy assassination with human emotion, unashamed glee when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon and his personal commentary on the Vietnam War. All event and activities combined, Walter Cronkite is the most trusted man in the America.