The brand room
« Previous EntriesOn startups
Monday, February 7th, 2011A funny thing happened on the way to a startup recently. A lot of missteps and here we are — bruised and altogether angry for it. When your startup depends 95% on the efforts of others, planning and careful choices save the day. A few notes from the field.
You can’t do it [...]
“Rush” to pay it forward
Saturday, October 24th, 2009I just ran the requisite 3 miles this morning. My shoes felt like 25 pound barbells tied to my feet. Definitely not getting enough TLC on the running game. But will.
I loaded up the ipod with new (old) Rush that I hadn’t really examined since maybe junior high. That’s what we called middle school when [...]
Fedex’s Free Resume Offer — no thanks
Monday, March 9th, 2009What’s wrong with this picture?
FedEx announced today that they will print 25 resumes for free for any job seeker so in need.
As discussed before, the resume is dying a slow death. The idea of sending the information electronically or through the long tail (like how this blog basically represents who I am) is the way [...]
The Hothead Pro Bono Challenge
Saturday, February 28th, 2009As I’ve posted recently, this is a great time to lend your skills to those that could benefit from them the most. I’m not talking about writing checks. We all have skills writing checks unfortunately. I’m talking about paring off 2% of the time you dedicate to your workday, your coffee ritual, or your family [...]
Fresh & Easy Reneges on It’s Coupon Program
Thursday, February 12th, 2009Many of you know my love for good companies, good service and an overall new and useful take on something old and tired.
Grocery stores fit this model. I shop almost daily for this household’s groceries and I can easily tell you how much a certain family staple costs at each store. I scan [...]
Some marketers just can’t help themselves
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008Wandering around the web and bumped into this little ditty from Frontier Airlines.
Playing with words and phrases and changing the spelling is cute, but then they go and add a tag line that adds even more angst. Ya… I get it… it’s supposed to relate to their animal mascot. Any great advertising professor would cut this to [...]
The new economy will bring about death for mediocrity and birth for innovation
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008That’s a good thing. Something the HH has wished for. Now, businesses and their half-baked, live on a shoestring and deliver bad service business models — will die.
I sort of feel bad for the employees that are working for companies like this, but then I don’t. As someone that’s worked alongside mediocre business owners, I [...]
31 Gifts for the Holidays
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008There are only 31 days til Christmas.
As a nice closing to the year, the hothead will share 31 gifts of news, information, discounts, and advice to get your 2009 off to a money saving start.
Here’s the first. The secret code for 40% off any Hertz rental. Add in your AAA number and you’ll get more [...]
Get ready for deals
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008For the first time in many years we are going to see deals that redefine “free” in stores across the country this holiday season. I was at a nearby mall in the past days and was able to receive 65 and 70% reductions overall at major stores JCrew and Martin & Osa. This [...]
Sticky, Tricky, and Quickie
Monday, September 8th, 2008This is a new formula I devised for media marketing.
Sticky — get yourself into all aspects of the audience you are selling to. YouTube. MySpace. Cover songs to make your way into the hearts and minds…
Tricky — Buy CDs or Books 100% similar to your product and resell on eBay at full price. See other post [...]