4 Replies to “Fine…Then I’m Taking My Bouncy Spherical Amusement Device And Going Home”
This statement dates way, way back. I remember the old Lego catalogs that came with the different building sets where that admonishment was printed on the back. As a yoot, even then I said what countless people are undoubtedly saying to this reminder: “Fat chance.”
I wonder though, why doesn’t Lego make like Federal Express? How long will it be when 99% of people who read that name say “huh?”
And while we’re at it, Google has issued the following statement: “Please cease and desist all use of ‘Google’ as a ubiquitous word. Please only refer to ‘www.google.com’ or ‘google search engine.’ Referring to ‘Google’ as a verb dilutes the essence of the brand.”
Xerox representatives are expected to comment this afternoon.
I understand brand and identity standards all too well, and of course adhering to a consistent set of images and language is invaluable… but that has to stop short of the place where it impedes the consumer’s familiarity with, love of and ownership of the brand. When consumers adopt and mainstream your product’s name, it’s a gift! Embrace it!
Brand Identity Funniness
The Social Customer Manifesto has a post about Lego(R) putting up a notice if you go to legos.com that the name that people have commonly referred to its products might not be preserving the brand. We are not supposed to call them Legos. They are Leg…
I actually posted a bit about this on my LEGO Blog:
Basically, yes, this copy was pretty bad. We’re actually changing it to be something more like:
“We believe you were looking for http://www.lego.com“… then redirect. After the redirection, we may put up a non-intrusive notification that can direct people to more info about trademarks, but that’s TBD.
This statement dates way, way back. I remember the old Lego catalogs that came with the different building sets where that admonishment was printed on the back. As a yoot, even then I said what countless people are undoubtedly saying to this reminder: “Fat chance.”
I wonder though, why doesn’t Lego make like Federal Express? How long will it be when 99% of people who read that name say “huh?”
And while we’re at it, Google has issued the following statement: “Please cease and desist all use of ‘Google’ as a ubiquitous word. Please only refer to ‘www.google.com’ or ‘google search engine.’ Referring to ‘Google’ as a verb dilutes the essence of the brand.”
Xerox representatives are expected to comment this afternoon.
I understand brand and identity standards all too well, and of course adhering to a consistent set of images and language is invaluable… but that has to stop short of the place where it impedes the consumer’s familiarity with, love of and ownership of the brand. When consumers adopt and mainstream your product’s name, it’s a gift! Embrace it!
Brand Identity Funniness
The Social Customer Manifesto has a post about Lego(R) putting up a notice if you go to legos.com that the name that people have commonly referred to its products might not be preserving the brand. We are not supposed to call them Legos. They are Leg…
I actually posted a bit about this on my LEGO Blog:
http://www.bricksonthebrain.com/blog/index.cfm?commentID=373
Basically, yes, this copy was pretty bad. We’re actually changing it to be something more like:
“We believe you were looking for http://www.lego.com“… then redirect. After the redirection, we may put up a non-intrusive notification that can direct people to more info about trademarks, but that’s TBD.