Category Archives: Culture

"…the long and fractious history of soft drinks, prohibition laws and race"

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A friend shared, “When Jim Crow Drank Coke,” a recent Op-Ed piece from the New York Times.

It is a fascinating and enlightening piece that provides a unique and revealing slice of American history.

Click here to read the article.

Editor’s Note:

After publishing this post, I received a number of inquiries.

I take no position regarding Grace Elizabeth Hale’s historical assertions with regard to Coca-Cola.

As a marketer, I am deeply fascinated by what makes consumers loyal to a specific brand.

Brand loyalty or brand disdain goes well beyond product attributes.

For example,  as with many of my contemporaries, there is a specific gasoline brand and a “fast-casual” restaurant brand that I will not patronize.

In my opinion, those two brands are tarnished and while they had the ability and opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, they elected not to do so to my satisfaction.

Three individuals whom I consider heroes and role models are associated with the Coca-Cola Company: the late J. Bruce Llewellyn, the indomitable Ingrid Saunders Jones and entrepreneur Larry Thornton.

These three individuals impact the way I view the power of brands and what they represent to me as both an African-American and a marketer.

Their actions helped to fortify the Coca-Cola brand and solidify the brand’s position.

For those who would like to read more, check out “The Real Pepsi Challenge: The Inspirational Story of Breaking the Color Barrier in American Business,” by Stephanie Capparell.

…a dynamic culinary duo

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One of my favorite meals is Chicken and Waffles.

“So what is it about chicken and waffles that has caused such a stir over the years? Is it that crispy seasoned chicken skin? The fluffy waffles enveloped in melting pads of butter? That warm, sweet syrup drizzled over the top? Or is it that first bite, when all of the ingredients come together in perfect, soul-stirring harmony?”

Discover the History of Chicken and Waffles and join those of us in the know!
It is really good stuff.

American Idol

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“I’ve always thought that each person invented himself… that we are each a figment of our own imagination. And some people have a greater ability to imagine than others.” – David Geffen

If a hero is one admired for his exploits, David Geffen is one of my American Heroes.

With a relentless desire to succeed and laser precise focus, Geffen influenced American popular culture.

His is an American success story.

DVR Alert – American Masters: Inventing David Geffen, premieres nationally on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 on PBS (check local listings).

If you are interested in reading up on David Geffen, I recommend the following books:

The Operator, Tom King, Random House
The Rise and Rise of David Geffen, Stephen Singular, Birch Lane Press
Arts and Letters, Edmund White, Cleiss Press
The Men Who Would Be King, Nicole Laporte, HMH

MLK "Sell-a-bration"

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I had a conversation with a fellow advertiser and we veered into a discussion about the appropriateness of using the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National holiday as a catalyst for a sale or special.
Given the issues of equality that the civil rights icon fought, and ultimately died for, I am of the opinion that it is not only inappropriate, but offensive and crass.
While there is a prevalent belief among some that we now live in a “post-racial” society, nothing could be further from the truth.
In some respect, that is why I am opposed to using Dr. King’s name and or likeness as a convenient means of creating a sales or retail event.
This hasn’t prevented retailers, to varying degrees, like Sears, local car dealers or a surf shop in Laguna Beach from creating MLK “Sell-a-brations.”
This special holiday has also become an opportunity for satire.
Another friend commented when I asked her what she thought, “It has become a retail holiday, especially when big brands like Sears participate in the process.”
That may be true, but does that make it right?

Paul & Carol…Introducing The Dollar People

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“The Dollar People” expect, demand and, have figured out how they will get more for their dollar…literally.Giving credit where it is due, I have to acknowledge two McDonald’s franchise owners for “introducing me” to The Dollar People.

Thank you ladies.

Let’s start by answering the question, “Who Are the Dollar People?”

In the first example, we’ll use a McDonald’s Restaurant and a man named Paul.

Paul goes to a McDonald’s, orders a McDouble, Sweet Tea and small fries.

Three Dollars.

Several moments go by and Paul returns to the counter.

In his hand, a McDouble that is 3/4 eaten, yet he presents the sandwich at the front counter while swallowing one last bite and says,

“This McDouble has onions…and pickle. I’m allergic to onions. Didn’t want pickles.”

Really?

Yes, Really.

The end result is that Paul got another sandwich…for free.

Getting more for a dollar.

In this, yet another example, we’ll use a neighborhood Shop Rite and a woman named, Carol.

I went to the Shop Rite supermarket for three things.

What they were is not important.

I ended up with nine items and therefore figured the 12 items only express lane was my best bet.

Note to self – I’ll be in and out in no time at all, or so I thought.

In front of me, was Carol with a cart holding more than 12 items.

Maybe 30?

Note to self – This is going to take more than a few minutes.

Waiting to put her things on the belt, Carol was eating a bag of potato chips.

Barbecue.

Prior to emptying her cart, Carol apparently decided she had enough chips.

After one last big mouthul, she brushed the excess crumbs off on her pants, neatly folded the chip bag, closing it and deposited it in the magazine rack between The Globe and People.

Getting more for a dollar.

Fifteen minutes passed – Carol argued with the cashier

…about the 47(!)items in her cart (vs the 12 item limit)

…the 25c per can discount she believed she was entitled to.

…and for the 15 cans of soda that were part of her order.

To add insult to injury, Carol ended up not having enough money and ultimately had to decide ‘which’ of the 47 she simply had to do without.

When it comes down to it, I suppose there is a little bit of the dollar people in all of us.

It may very well be as simple as different degrees of dollar people.

Think about it.

Haven’t you on more than one occassion, and with increasing frequency, reached a point where you expect and, in many instances, demand that you are not going to pay full price for anything
…unless you really, really have to?!

Have you argued a financial advantage/settlement over a minor infraction, and felt justified because (you felt and believed) you deserved the small victory?

It feels good to “beat the system”…and get away with it.

It is like there is a little voice in your head that whispers

“If someone is going to come out on top today, don’t you think it oughta be me?”

No argument there.

Getting the most for your money is not only smart.

It is the unmistakeable sign of a savvy consumer.

However, stealing is the sign of a thief.