We just wanted to make sure BrandlandUSA’s readers remember the late Melvin S. Cohen, who died Dec. 16 at age 90. Cohen, father of the Fry Baby and Salad Shooter, was chairman of National Presto Industries, at ticker (NYSE: NPK). A great obituary of him is in the Eau Claire,MORE HERE
We were curious about Old Dutch Cleanser; it was one of the most recognizable trademarks of the early 20th century consumer product era. Old Dutch, along with Comet and Bon Ami, was one of the big brands of pumice-based kitchen cleaners; its railcars were even featured on Tyco and LionelMORE HERE
MARTINSVILLE – While it is High Point (and North Carolina) that is associated with the American furniture industry, it is the southern part of Virginia that is the hub for traditional American furniture. The region is home to a cluster of old-school, middle class brands including Stanley, Hooker, Pulaski, RoweMORE HERE
You read it here first. Not that we had that much to do with it. On our November 1, 2008 story What’s Wrong With Buick, we suggested that it was time that General Motors get rid of Tiger Woods as spokesman. General Motors and Woods came to a decision toMORE HERE
We pulled some favorite branding stories from across the web. Thought it might make some good reference. And we just stuck a DePinna ad to promote our old story on prep brands that are no longer around, like DePinna, but have some residual brand value. BBC Report on Dead Brands,MORE HERE
What happens when brand families are dispersed? Would 3M keep Scotch tape, but sell off Scotchguard? Would Johnson & Johnson keep Johnson’s baby oil, but rid itself of Johnson’s No More Tears? Would United Technologies keep Carrier home heating & air, but spin off Carrier commercial division? Not likely,MORE HERE
Looking back on the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City through the lens of their official program, we see another America, and another Democratic Party. The program, designed by the ad agency Doyle, Dane Bernbach Inc, was dedicated to the memory of John F. Kennedy, and had a pro-business,MORE HERE
It’s quite amazing that Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben and the Cream of Wheat man still exist on the shelves of America. We call them the Plantation Brand Trio. Somehow these characters have managed to survive the politically correct witch hunts of the latter 20th century. Having grown up in VirginiaMORE HERE
Times are tight. Companies like Kellogg’s and Wal-Mart are doing well. These are companies that everyone, including the wealthy, flock to when every nickel is precious. Which got us thinking. What are the best brands in America that connote thrift, modesty and that all-American, Victory Garden spirit? Brands we associateMORE HERE
BrandlandUSA’s first polling contest is over. In our poll, we asked readers the simple question. “What department store do you miss most?” Our readers top pick for a store to bring back? F. W. Woolworth, America’s legendary five and dime. We assume it’s probably because we’ve been writing about theMORE HERE