News & views
29 June 2010 /
by Ben Knapp at 12:23 pm 29 June 2010
Filed under: Branding, Identity, Nation Branding
Mario Testino, Peru’s prodigal son, returned to Lima for the re-opening of MALI, the Museum of Modern Art Lima, with his traveling exhibition ‘Portraits’ first shown in London’s National Gallery in 2002, which features a series of celebrities shot by Mario during the last 15 years.
Accompanied by his muse Kate Moss, Lima’s glitterati cheered at Mario’s opening remarks “Que dificil no ser Peruano” (“It must be so difficult not to be Peruvian”). This statement captures the euphoric spirit the Andean nation finds itself in these days (by the way the statement eventually became a t-shirt, isn’t it funny this human need to wear our beliefs?).
After decades of violence and terrorism Peru is finding its place in the global marketplace. Its 9.8 percent growth rate last year was one of the world’s fastest. And record commodities prices, coupled with China’s insatiable demand for raw materials, are helping the mineral-rich nation weather the financial crisis better than most other countries in the region.
The excitement is palpable, from the boom in construction to the revival of Peruvian gastronomy. As I was walking through the hotel lobby, sporting a cotton bag actually bought in Mexico a woman cheered at me “how lovely, how Peruvian”!
What came first, the pride or the fast growing GDP? It’s a bit an egg and chicken question, but one can’t help but smile, and wish hardworking Peruvians the best, in their newly found spot in today’s global mesh…
28 January 2010 /
by Ben Knapp at 2:15 pm 28 January 2010
Filed under: Home Page
We’re delighted to announce that Saffron has been appointed to develop London’s visual identity. Watch this space for further news.
26 October 2009 /
by Ben Knapp at 6:26 pm 26 October 2009
Filed under: Home Page
We come across too many new brands that don’t feel right for a company we know well. This is because these brands are not authentic. They are manufactured; they have nothing to do with what the company is really about – and too much to do with hyperbole and wanting to impress. Read more…
26 October 2009 /
by Ben Knapp at 6:25 pm 26 October 2009
Filed under: Branding, Identity
This is a call for authenticity. For keeping it real.
We come across too many new brands that don’t feel right for a company we know well. This is because these brands are not authentic. They are manufactured; they have nothing to do with what the company is really about – and too much to do with hyperbole and wanting to impress.
To create an authentic brand, use the bedrock of unique truths, thoughts and beliefs that exist in your organisation. That’s what differentiates it. Work hard and find out which of these are genuinely yours and which could be anyone’s. Once it’s clear which are which – get rid of the fluff and use the rest to guide the work on your brand.
Aspiration and ambition need to play a big part in shaping your brand. Plans for tomorrow are at least as important as today’s reality. But make sure you express goals that suit you, not ones that merely sound good or will please your board.
You and your colleagues have got to take ownership of the brand. That won’t happen unless it’s based on things you genuinely believe in. The more authentic the brand is, the better every one of you will be able to act on it. And the better the chances of seeing positive change for your business.
16 October 2009 /
by Ben Knapp at 5:50 pm 16 October 2009
Filed under: Home Page
Ian Stephens was recently in Germany to speak at Sun & Wind Energy’s expert forum on branding. He spoke about the urgent need for differentiation in the solar energy market. Some of Europe’s leading new and old energy suppliers attended. If you couldn’t make it, here’s Ian’s point of view.
