Garland Pollard is publisher/editor of BrandlandUSA. Since 2006, the website BrandlandUSA.com has chronicled the history and business of America’s great brands. He has decades of experience across all media, including newspapers, TV, radio, magazines and the web.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida – In spite of the ubiquity of the Chinese supply chain, it is possible in for some retailers to completely go Made in USA. Some types of businesses can do this more easily than others. One such place where this idea is achievable is in a storeMORE HERE
BOULDER, Colorado – It was 1972 when entrepreneur Mo Siegel began selling his Sleepytime and Red Zinger herbal teas. Today, Celestial Seasonings, is the most popular brand of herbal tea in America. And while the idea of herbal tea is not new, every other major tea brand has copied theMORE HERE
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minnesota – Care and attention to the important identity elements of a historic brand can make the difference between a moderately successful brand using its history as a crutch, and long-term successful brand with a future. The case of Mr. Bubble, owned by The Village Company, is theMORE HERE
Igloo is the original plastic cooler. So many of its products became synonymous with boating and summer that for generations, Igloo coolers were, and are, props in the American landscape. The Igloo dates from 1947. MORE HERE
This spring, JCPenney unveiled a new shopping position. “Shopping is Back.” The company used a fictional character named Penny James, or “Ms. James,” to sell the slogan. She is played by Melissa Villaseñor, a comedienne and current cast member of Saturday Night Live. In the campaign, Ms. James samples theMORE HERE
MIAMI – It has been now 50 years since entrepreneur Al Copeland of New Orleans created Popeyes in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi. The Louisana-born chain was one of the many Southern chains inspired by the success of Kentucky Friend Chicken, and opened June 12, 1972, as Chicken onMORE HERE
SEATTLE – On Oct. 15, 2022, exactly 150 years to the date of the departure of the first Rotterdam’s maiden voyage, the newest Rotterdam of the Holland America Line will recreate the company’s early sailing. MORE HERE
KANSAS CITY – Among the family owned businesses that thrive in niche markets is Colonial Patterns, maker of Aunt Martha’s sewing transfers. Still family owned, they are in most major national retailers, including Walmart, Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Like the brands Coats & Clark thread, Wrights trimmings and The companyMORE HERE
Occasionally, it is helpful to look at newer regional and national brands. One such standout is Hoboken Farms, which got its start in 1992 when founder Brad Finkel began selling at farmers markets in the New York area. Today, the company operages out of 30 or so markets across NewMORE HERE
It has now been just over two years since Land O’ Lakes announced the removal of its Indian maiden logo. The move turned the what was a grand symbol of American agriculture into a minimalist red O-hole. Dairy sales are down since the decision, though to be fair it shouldMORE HERE