Solving for B°

GDPR: What U.S. Companies Need to Know

In this episode of Solving for B°, Vice President of Software Development, Donovan Buck and Marketing Copywriter, Jared Haube join us to talk about the GDPR, which takes effect on May 25, 2018. How does this legislation affect U.S. based companies? Our experts will discuss what American businesses need to consider in preparation for the GDPR, how to prepare for the legislation and how to remain compliant. 

Brand Analysis: The NCAA

If you're a sports fan, you're no doubt familiar with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). It is the preeminent governing body of American collegiate athletics and has been since it was founded in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt. Its stated purpose is to protect amateur athletes and protect the integrity of collegiate athletics. But with public scrunity at peek levels, how well does the organization fulfill its purpose? 

In this episode of Solving for B°, CEO Bo Bothe and Senior Writer Jeff Lane dissect the NCAA brand and analyze its current standing in the market. We'll also discuss how recent negative events may impact the brand and their membership going forward. We hope you enjoy this edition of Solving for B° with BrandExtract. 

 

Is Cause Branding Right for You?

Is your company contemplating a move to put its brand behind a social or environmental issue?

There are many benefits associated with cause branding, but just as many strategic considerations that need to be addressed.

• Is your brand primed for supporting a social or environmental issue?
• How do you determine if a cause aligns with your company’s mission and objectives?
• What are the inherent advantages and effects of cause branding?

In this episode of Solving for B°, our experts not only discuss these considerations but also how to decide if this strategy is right for your brand. So settle in as we explore the complex landscape of cause branding.

What is Brand Insulation? How You Can Future-Proof Your Brand

A characteristic of a strong brand is the ability to resist the impact of negative experiences and events. Insulated brands have passionate advocates who will readily defend their reputation, even in the wake of indisputable proof.

But how do you craft a brand that can weather those stormy times? What does it take to earn and maintain that degree of customer loyalty? And what are some of the disadvantages of brand insulation?

In this episode of Solving for B°, Dr. Vikas Mittal, Professor of Marketing at Rice University, deconstructs the concept of brand insulation. He examines not only how to create a brand that inspires loyalty among customers but also explores specific examples of brands that have withstood adverse conditions. We hope you find the show insightful.

How to Create Content That's True to Your Brand

When you set out to create content for your brand, it’s vital that every piece not only reflects the brand voice but also expresses its core values. And the only way to achieve this is by truly understanding your brand and its target audience.

In this episode of Solving for B°, we’re joined by Mary Becker and, special guest, Ronell Smith of RS Consulting to discuss how to:

• Deliver meaningful interactions and experiences to your audience
• Create branded content through an iterative process
• Find sources of inspiration that fuel ideas for content creation
• Avoid common mistakes when devising a content plan

This is a must-listen-to episode for brands ready to their content marketing efforts to the next level. Enjoy!

Using Data Analytics to Optimize Marketing Spending

Aligning your marketing goals with wider business objectives can be a major challenge, especially when it comes to budget allocation. How do you make informed decisions when determining marketing spend?

In this episode of Solving for B°, Dr. Hari Sridhar, Associate Professor of Marketing at Texas A&M University, and Dr. Vikas Mittal, Professor of Marketing at Rice University, explain how brands can harness data analytics to create effective marketing spend strategies.

Learn not only how to allocate marketing budgets but also how to avoid common pitfalls that misalign the marketing plan and the business strategy. We hope you enjoy!

 

How to Manage a Brand Through a Crisis

There have been more and more brands in the news for the wrong reasons lately. How a brand handles their mistakes is almost as important as the mistakes themselves. And with the twenty-four hour news cycle, it is less and less likely that a brand’s missteps will just go away.

So what should you do if your brand finds itself in the middle of crisis -- self-inflicted or otherwise? How should you react? When is the right time to respond?

In this episode of the Solving for B° Podcast, our experts discuss the role of your brand in a crisis. We offer real-life examples of how not to handle a crisis, as well as some tips on how and when to prepare for the worst. So sit back and enjoy this episode of the Solving for B° Podcast with BrandExtract.

Why is Brand Research Important?

An often overlooked part of a branding effort is the research phase. But our experts are here to tell you why that can be a critical mistake.

In this episode of the Solving for B° Podcast, CEO, Bo Bothe and Chairman, Jonathan Fisher are joined by Dr. Vikas Mittal of Rice University to discuss the importance and value of brand research. Using Arms Wide Adoption Services as an example, they’ll examine the difference between qualitative and quantitative research and review when it is best to employ each.

Finally, our experts will thoroughly review our recommended four step approach to brand research that includes: identifying key issues, developing concepts and ideas, quantitatively testing those ideas, and analyzing the data to build thoughtful brands.

Thanks for downloading the latest installment of the Solving for B° Podcast. We hope you enjoy!

Why Branding is a Powerful Business Solution

In this episode of the Solving for B° Podcast Bo Bothe, Jonathan Fisher and Leslie Rainwater of BrandExtract discuss the many issues that can be uncovered and solved in the branding process. They offer insight into why branding should be considered a business solution and tell you why thinking of branding as simply a communication strategy is the wrong approach. They'll also provide some examples of situations that indicate a need for a rebrand. We hope you enjoy!

Branding and the 4 Factors That Influence the Buy American Concept

American consumers will often choose American brands over their international counterparts. But what's behind their affinity for these brands? Is it simple patriotism? Or is it something more?  In this episode of Solving for B°, Dr. Vikas Mittal joins us to discuss his research into the topic. He and Bo Bothe, President and CEO of BrandExtract, address the four distinct motivating factors behind the Buy American concept and what brands need to consider before diving utilizing this strategy. 

If you'd like to read Dr. Mittal's accompanying research on the Buy American concept, you can do so at the following places:

• SSRN: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2952636
• American Marketing Association: https://www.ama.org/publications/MarketingNews/Pages/brands-leverage-buy-american-sentiment.aspx