Alan M. Siegel's Blog, page 125

2014: The era of modern Chinese brand experience

China is no longer a mystery to the world. With the economy booming, Western brands have found that expanding into the Chinese market – a market they aspire to win – is key for their global growth. As a result, more and more Chinese companies face increased competition in domestic markets. Like their Western counterparts, Chinese brands are traveling to the other side of the world to compete against others.

How We Can All Learn From Venmo: Simplicity in the clutter of mobile apps

The best thing that Venmo has done is center its brand on simplicity. Venmo’s brand platform revolves around a simple design and an easy user experience. Changes to the app over time have focused on increasing clarity in the design, creating consistent brand interactions, removing excessive details and developing stronger and more positive brand experiences. Even their name is clear, easy to use, and makes for a good verb (“just Venmo me” is now part of my weekly vocabulary).

Siegel+Gale culture panel talks celebrity rebrand in light of the Oscars

Today, Siegel+Gale New York convened its first-ever “Siegel+Gale Culture Panel,” dedicated to unpacking significant cultural moments. In light of this Sunday’s Academy Awards, members of our content and research teams came together to discuss celebrity personal (re)brands—and what other brands can learn from them.

The three habits that can make you a master connector

Every relationship begins with discovery—learning about another’s experience, what you have in common, what sets you apart. It is critical, therefore, that you take the posture of “journalist” when building a new connection. At the heart of this, is asking great questions.

Downton Abbey and the American Brand

A lot has been written about the popularity of Downton Abbey with American audiences—the show’s popularity Stateside apparently surpasses its popularity in Britain. Little, however, has been written about the ways in which Downton “brands” both Britain and America. That is, how it characterizes British people, both upstairs and downstairs, and Americans. Even though the show takes place nearly a century ago, the cultural attributes that the show brings to life still resonate today.

Simon and Seiden get Oscar Fever

A strategist and a designer discuss branding considerations for this year's Oscars. Watch the video.

Inspiring moments from Womensphere Emerging Leaders Summit 2014

Last month, I had the privilege to join my fellow Siegel+Gale colleagues at the 5th Annual Emerging Leaders Global Summit at Columbia University. It was the first time I’d attended a Womensphere event and I was blown away by the sheer presence of the strong-minded and confident women who took their time to share their stories, insights and wise words of wisdom. The audience was equally inspiring. College grads, post-grads, PHD students and corporate professionals, all with a desire to learn from women who had worked hard and battled against the odds to stand tall as leaders of our time.

Simple sticks: What Millennial dating habits can teach brands

If brands look closely at Millennial dating habits (a great motivator of the young), they stand to win our much-coveted loyalty, hearts and, well, money. Our psyches say: why take him on a “date” when he can meet me and my friends for a beer? Why have a conversation to define the relationship when our social media practices can do it for us?

For Millennials, the intuitive, casual kind of “simple” sticks.

“Twilight of the brands?” Russ Meyer’s rebuttle to a popular “New Yorker” piece

In his recent New Yorker article "Twilight of the brands," James Surowiecki proclaimed that because brands have been weakened by the Internet's influence, the heyday of branding is over.  Our global director of strategy and insights, Russ Meyer crafted a rebuttal to this article. Here are his responses to the pillars of Surowiecki’s argument.

In conversation: “Dance of the Weave” photographer Briana Blasko and creative director Justin Peters

Dance of the Weave is a new book by American photographer Briana Blasko, which explores an extensive five-year journey photographing the interplay between Indian dancers and the fabric in which they perform.

Siegel+Gale's global executive creative director, Justin Peters, acted as editor and art director for the project. The pair recently sat down in our New York office to discuss the partnership.