Top brands of the 21st century: Google

When thinking about influential companies, there is probably not one as colossal and influential in our generation as Google. Google has expanded into virtually every aspect of technology and is constantly on the cutting edge of everything web-based. Google began as a research project for two Ph.D. students at Stanford University, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. I doubt if these men could have known what their idea would turn into, but it has grown into one of the most powerful, iconic companies in the world. Rated one of the best places to work in the world, and generously paying their employees, Google attracts the best and brightest workers from across the globe. Everyone can instantly recognize the red, blue, green, and yellow of this giant brand and those colors are portrayed throughout the icons and symbols of their various products and tools.

Google is so large and ingrained into our culture that the word google itself has evolved into a verb of sorts. Hearing someone say, “Google it,” is incredibly commonplace in households, universities, and workplaces all across the nation. There have been many search engines over the years, but no brand has grown into giant that Google has become.

Top AD campaigns of the twenty-first century: Case 1- Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty

Case 1- Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty

In this groundbreaking ad campaign, Dove did what no other soap brand had ever attempted. They set out to help change the societal notions of beauty and set an accepting trend that many other brands adopted and incorporated into their ads and brand identity.

This campaign came at a time when digital media was just starting to allow customers to interact and share the message in a way that made it possible for the brand to go viral. With overwhelmingly positive feedback, other brands like Nike started to mimic the campaign by using models that looked more like the “everyday” women in their ads.

 Dove’s campaign is also credited for inspiring the “Like a Girl” campaign by Proctor & Gamble’s ‘Always’ brand, which was also very successful, and challenged the typical stereotypes that are associated with little girls. I think that Dove did a lot to set the pace and the standard for what brands should be putting emphasis on in this day and age. Showing a truer, more accurate portrayal of women is incredibly important in advertising today, especially in the U.S. where a large portion of any given target market is likely to be obese.

People love to be able to envision themselves using or wearing a product before they buy it, and by making ads look more realistic, people are more inclined to trust and relate to that brand, thus, more likely to make the purchase. This was not the first campaign that aimed to help change social acceptance of the diversity of women’s bodies, but it was indeed the most impactful, and gained the most attention.

All in all, Dove is awesome, and so are their chocolates.

Starbucks vs. Dunking Donuts Continued....

One of the key differences between Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts is quality. Although they both have their specialties and different signature items, in my experience, Starbucks has proven to have all around better ingredients. If you don’t order a black coffee at Dunkin, you can be almost certain that there is a pile of sugary syrup at the bottom that the barista didn’t bother to stir around. Which is gross. And tastes like chemicals. However, if that doesn’t bother you, Dunkin does win against Starbucks when it comes to prices. For a large latte at Starbucks you’re looking at $4.32, but at Dunkin, you can get the same thing for $3.69. But don’t let that fool you, because ounce for ounce, Starbucks wins again. The third, and most substantial difference, is that of the difference in the atmosphere. The inside of a Starbucks is set up to promote community, conversation, and interaction. There are community tables, soothing music in the background, and delightful staff behind the counter. Cozy, calming decorations adorn the walls and smiles are contagious. Dunkin has the melancholy atmosphere of a fast-food chain that is out of touch with today’s youth.