| |
| |
|
Go Back | About | Contact | Web Design News | |
|
|
|
Branding Junk Removal - He Did It, Can You?
What does it mean to be remarkable? Brian Scudamore, CEO and Founder of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, who in 1996 was operating the million dollar plus company at the age of 26, said it means, "You've got to get out there and be loud and proud... You've got to stand out. You have got to have a brand that is worth remarking about." He learned much about this type of philosophy from the book Purple Cow, written by one of his mentors, Seth Godin. It's kind of like Sir Richard Branson's recent flying superhero-saving nurses publicity stunt to launch Virgin Mobile Canada. Like Branson, Scudamore takes risks. He and his company want to make sure they get noticed. After all, they're "building the Fed-Ex of Junk removal." He does know, however, that beyond the gorilla marketing, his strategies and his team of motivated employees and franchise partners are key to sustaining the brand. "It's all about the people," he said. After changing the company name, from Rubbish Boys to 1-800-GOT-JUNK (Scudamore was looking for a more professional name and was inspired by the Got Milk campaign and the 1-800-FLOWER model, where it doesn't matter where you are in the country, you can call one number), Scudamore knew he would be able to build a brand. It had never been done in the industry. "Junk removal is not something new. It's been around forever," he said. "But, it is similar to some other industries where brands have come in and successfully dominated and created a very branded industry. "Look at Starbucks. There used to be a mom and pop coffee shop on every corner. You don't see that anymore. It's all Starbucks." 1-800-GOT-JUNK is heading in that same direction. Perhaps you'll never find it on every corner, but July 2004 marked its 100th franchise. The company's short-term goal is to have 250 franchise partners with system-wide sales of $100M by the end of 2006. And, its long term goal is to be the World's Largest Junk Removal Company with a presence in 10 countries by the end of 2012. "We're building something much bigger together than anyone of us could ever build alone," said Scudamore. He is committed to maintaining and strengthening this type of team work. The growth of the company depends on it and it's also what makes the brand special. "We're only as good as we make ourselves out to be. If we're out there not delivering on our on-time service and up-front pricing that we promise, then our brand doesn't build. People will start to look at us and say, 'These guys aren't as good as they say they are.' That's the problem with having such a well-established brand and reputation; you have to deliver on your promises. You simply cannot hide from a disgruntled customer, especially not when you're wearing a big blue wig and standing beside a large mobile billboard, waving to the morning commuters as they pass by. The "Honk if you love junk" sign will not help either. By Christina Lee Christina Lee is Editor of The Image Architex Online Marketing Magazine (http://www.theIMAGEarchitex.com). Visit the site for more articles on branding and general marketing practices, opportunities, tips and ideas for small-sized business entrepreneurs, artists and producers.
MORE RESOURCES:
SEO - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Adventures in Advertising and the Affect on the Brand Name Studying various target-marketing techniques and here is a thought. We have been reviewing companies who cross over into many sectors to identify with their potential customers. Multi-Brand Franchises in the QSR Sector Well not everyone is aware that McDonalds also owns several other bands such as Boston Markets; 650 stores in 23 states, Chipotle Mexican Grill; 230 stores in 10 states, Donato's Pizza 200 stores in 10 states, Pret a Manager 140 stores in 4 countries, Fazoli's 400 units in 32 states and two countries. Of this the company derives 2 Billion in annual sales, this is not even counting McDonalds. Which Of These Words Attract Your Clients Whether it's your business card, tagline, article title, web site title and description or ad, just the difference of a few words can either pull in prospects and clients or push them away. Getting it right can determine whether your phone is ringing off the hook or you are twiddling your thumbs hoping someone will call. Branding 101: Why Its Critical to Business Success and How to Do It Right What's Your Brand?A brand is a product/company personality that helps distinguish it from the competition. It evolves out of the product essence. 10 Secrets for Free Media Placement Why pay a high priced PR agent when you can get free media placement to promote your product, service, or book?Follow these top ten tips for 2005 and it willbe your most profitable year yet!1. Write an attention grabbing headline. Branded Email: Email Branding is the Next Generation of Email All You Need is Branded EmailOrAlways Branded Email There to Remind MeFor the past 75 years, almost every form of popular communication has transformed from black and white to color. Newspapers, television, and computers are only a few examples. Boston Brand Building - Brand Identity Guru "Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir your blood.. How Brand as an Intellectual Property has Led to Corporate Globalisation? IntroductionGlobalisation is referred to as a set of profound material changes that have an impact on relations between societies in the past few decades. The identifiable features of these material changes are witnessed in the development and growth of web, satellite transmission, fibre-optic technology, broadband operations, transnational corporations and the emergence of World Trade Organisation. Too Dull? Too Sharp? You work hard getting the right cover message and words for your brochure. Now, you want to give it a look, an image. Types of Logos There are three basic types of logos: text, symbol, and combination logos. The type of logo that will work best for your company depends on a number of considerations, such as the size of your company, the uniqueness of your name, and a variety of other factors. Wealthiest 10% of Americans Name Top Quality Brands for 8 Products in New Survey The seventh in a continuing series of twice-yearly surveys by The American Affluence Research Center (AARC) reveals the brands considered to have the highest quality, regardless of price, by the wealthiest 10% of Americans, the 11 million households representing about half of all consumer income and spending, a third of the total US economy, and 70% of the personal wealth of Americans.Just released, the AARC report, The Luxury Market: Spring 2005 Survey of Affluent Americans, shows the affluent named Rolex, Cartier, and Tag Heuer as the top three brands for quality, regardless of price, for lady's fine watches. How to Create Your Own Mail Order Products Pick up almost any book or report on Mailorder Selling andinvariably you will find the same advice. When you select amailorder product, select one which: - appeals to a large segment of the population- is not readily available in stores- is easy to ship by mail- is worthwhile- and a product that lends itself to repeat orders Most mail order writers will also tell you to try to acquireexclusive selling rights to your product. Brand Identity - Corporate Identity and Brand Value Companies work hard building the strength of their brands - it is critical to the ongoing brand management process to have meaningful and actionable data-driven measures of these efforts.Building a brand, cultivating its strengths, pruning its weaknesses, and making it more valuable to its owners is the bottom line job of marketing. Hiring the Right Graphic Designer for Your Small Business Every small business needs it, but not many have it. I am not talking about cash flow, clients or even your product or services to sell. Nike / Sears / Kmart The Sears-Kmart merger hopes to fabricate some sort of silver lining for both retailers but instead seems to embody the inevitable philosophy of "going down together." Kmart, an already sinking ship, certainly worsens conditions for Sears, and Sears does not have a strong enough current to keep Kmart afloat when there are enterprises like Wal*Mart and Target constantly blasting holes in the stern with brand messages of "smart and classy. The Aim of the Name Large corporations spend lavish amounts seeking names for their products that grab a consumer, or convey positive feelings. Book authors do the same. Business Branding - How Character Affects Customers and Your Business Image The public buys far more than just your products, services and so-called image promotions. Whenever they interact with anyone or anything associated with your business, they are automatically branded emotionally, good or bad, by the totality of your business character. Branding Fiasco -- Better Be Who You Say You Are! Our experience as customers offers great instruction into the concept of branding. Come with me on a recent "experience" and you'll see what I mean. Brand Lo-o-o-o-o-ve... So.. Co-Branding in Automotive Service Businesses In a world of co-branding, point of destination strategies and co-op marketing; all industries are evolving and diversifying to capture greater profits within a single brick and mortar location. The same strategies are used on the Internet only you can see it happen faster in real time on Internet web sites.
|
ChicagoAnimation's Acquisitions: Market Polls - 1pennyStock.com
Sponsors: Paving | VTL's | Religious Statues
