Comments on: The best brands have fanatical focus and a fuzzy underbelly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:37:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Why start a namesake site? | Chris Gammell's Analog Life http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-171242 Why start a namesake site? | Chris Gammell's Analog Life Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:50:42 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-171242 [...] blog, but never why I decided to make it a namesake site (using my real name, all over the place). The main reason is branding. Pure, simple and maybe a little bit selfish. It’s actually a lot of work to get people to [...] [...] blog, but never why I decided to make it a namesake site (using my real name, all over the place). The main reason is branding. Pure, simple and maybe a little bit selfish. It's actually a lot of work to get people to [...]

]]> By: Glen http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148636 Glen Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:05:42 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148636 I also love the idea about listing the passion on the name tag. On almost every level it's a real winner! I also love the idea about listing the passion on the name tag. On almost every level it's a real winner!

]]> By: Dale http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148396 Dale Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:34:20 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148396 You are the Brazen Careerist for better or for worst, so make the most of it! You are the Brazen Careerist for better or for worst, so make the most of it!

]]> By: Dale http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148395 Dale Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:32:24 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148395 Martha Stewart never worries about being too closely identified with her brand, why should you? True you may say that you are trying to create something bigger than yourself, but why can't someone be an icon and create a massive brand, like Hefner did for Playboy or Oprah IS for well... Oprah? The young need to be guided, and who better than someone with their best interests are heart? I could go on, but you get my point, right? Martha Stewart never worries about being too closely identified with her brand, why should you?
True you may say that you are trying to create something bigger than yourself, but why can't someone be an icon and create a massive brand, like Hefner did for Playboy or Oprah IS for well… Oprah?
The young need to be guided, and who better than someone with their best interests are heart? I could go on, but you get my point, right?

]]> By: Carol http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148215 Carol Sat, 31 May 2008 03:30:09 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148215 I know your blog says that you write for the young generation of workers. But what is young? I'm 42 and I've been working for more than 20 years and I get a lot of great advice from your blogs. Don't limit yourself to just the younger generation. Us middle-aged farts have a lot to learn too. I know your blog says that you write for the young generation of workers. But what is young? I'm 42 and I've been working for more than 20 years and I get a lot of great advice from your blogs. Don't limit yourself to just the younger generation. Us middle-aged farts have a lot to learn too.

]]> By: Risma http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148138 Risma Wed, 28 May 2008 23:01:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148138 I agree with Jennifer Lynn. Why isn't this blog the lead blog on the brazen careerist site? That would be much, much clearer. Were you trying to avoid a "Penelope and friends" thing? I agree with Jennifer Lynn. Why isn't this blog the lead blog on the brazen careerist site? That would be much, much clearer. Were you trying to avoid a "Penelope and friends" thing?

]]> By: Sara http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148105 Sara Wed, 28 May 2008 15:41:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148105 @Brand Fanatic - I think there's a big difference between the Huffington Post and the Brazen Careerist because Ariana's name is in the title, so it will always be associated with her, however much she is involved. @Penelope - I was actually surprised to read the part where you flipped out because you think everyone identifies Brazen Careerist with you personally, because even though I read your blog before you started BC, and had never heard of the Ryans, I associate it now with all three of you (if not also all the many bloggers on the network). If I were them, I would have been kind of insulted by your reaction. I mean, what are they, real Gen-Y members that you just have for show? I don't think you really think that though, so I don't know why you would think it's a bad thing for Brazen Careerist to develop it's own social media presence. @Brand Fanatic - I think there's a big difference between the Huffington Post and the Brazen Careerist because Ariana's name is in the title, so it will always be associated with her, however much she is involved.

@Penelope - I was actually surprised to read the part where you flipped out because you think everyone identifies Brazen Careerist with you personally, because even though I read your blog before you started BC, and had never heard of the Ryans, I associate it now with all three of you (if not also all the many bloggers on the network). If I were them, I would have been kind of insulted by your reaction. I mean, what are they, real Gen-Y members that you just have for show? I don't think you really think that though, so I don't know why you would think it's a bad thing for Brazen Careerist to develop it's own social media presence.

]]> By: Jennifer Lynn http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148015 Jennifer Lynn Tue, 27 May 2008 18:44:03 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-148015 I’m a regular reader of the blog, and I don’t think the Brazen Careerist brand has been at all clear since the launch of the collective. I’m wondering if you are clear yourself about what you want the relationship between your personal brand and the Brazen Careerist brand to be. If a new reader were to find their way to the BC home page, they would have no clue (without a lot of searching) that it had anything to do with you. Is that a distinction you made on purpose? If not, you might think about incorporating your blog (maybe as a lead) on the BC site and making the "Brazen Careerist" logo on the blog link to the BC site. Right now, it links to your personal blog, and I can’t easily get to your blog from the BC site. Right now, there doesn't seem to be a conscious integration or a conscious separation. Also, the BC site seems to have a lot of good stuff, but (to me, at least) it’s a bit cluttered and confusing. There’s no hierarchy of information— the eye bounces around all over the place. Whether the goal of BC is to amplify the voices young people online or to connect companies with young talent, the site’s set-up does not tell either of those stories. Neither of these fits seamlessly with the (excellent) tagline “Define your career. Control your life.” I’m also wondering, on a simplistic level, what BC is. Is it a “blog network,” as defined on your blog? Is it a source of business writing geared for 20-somethings? Is it a “portal” of sorts for young professionals to find resources, advice, tools, and conversation about managing their careers? I’m sure you have an answer to that, but I’m not sure it’s clear on the site. BC/ the blog are great for people who already know and love the Penelope Trunk brand, but newcomers might not get it. Again, conscientious prioritization of info would help tell the story you want to tell. I’m a regular reader of the blog, and I don’t think the Brazen Careerist brand has been at all clear since the launch of the collective. I’m wondering if you are clear yourself about what you want the relationship between your personal brand and the Brazen Careerist brand to be. If a new reader were to find their way to the BC home page, they would have no clue (without a lot of searching) that it had anything to do with you. Is that a distinction you made on purpose? If not, you might think about incorporating your blog (maybe as a lead) on the BC site and making the "Brazen Careerist" logo on the blog link to the BC site. Right now, it links to your personal blog, and I can’t easily get to your blog from the BC site. Right now, there doesn't seem to be a conscious integration or a conscious separation.

Also, the BC site seems to have a lot of good stuff, but (to me, at least) it’s a bit cluttered and confusing. There’s no hierarchy of information— the eye bounces around all over the place. Whether the goal of BC is to amplify the voices young people online or to connect companies with young talent, the site’s set-up does not tell either of those stories. Neither of these fits seamlessly with the (excellent) tagline “Define your career. Control your life.”

I’m also wondering, on a simplistic level, what BC is. Is it a “blog network,” as defined on your blog? Is it a source of business writing geared for 20-somethings? Is it a “portal” of sorts for young professionals to find resources, advice, tools, and conversation about managing their careers? I’m sure you have an answer to that, but I’m not sure it’s clear on the site. BC/ the blog are great for people who already know and love the Penelope Trunk brand, but newcomers might not get it. Again, conscientious prioritization of info would help tell the story you want to tell.

]]> By: Brand Fanatic http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-147955 Brand Fanatic Mon, 26 May 2008 17:17:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-147955 My point about the Huffington Post is that everyone knows that Huffington isn't the only writer, but she's the guiding spirit. My point about the Huffington Post is that everyone knows that Huffington isn't the only writer, but she's the guiding spirit.

]]> By: Ian http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-147953 Ian Mon, 26 May 2008 16:03:36 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2008/05/23/the-best-brands-have-fanatical-focus-and-a-fuzzy-underbelly/#comment-147953 Penelope, In the twitter situation, Ryan is doing this for the Brazen Careerist cause. Isn't he being like you in your volleyball days? I'm seeing an issue has shown up in this situation; After extending your brand, you created 2 Brazen Careerist brands now: One is Penelope & the other is the network/company. More techniques or technology for brands distinction will show up as time goes, so this will happen more & more. Here are some suggestion: - Split the brands (Brazen Careerist for Penelope & Brazen Careerists for the Network) - Take yourself out/merge the Brazen Careerist (Brazen Careerist is the company/Network & you are the champion/leader of the network) You have to nip the issue in the bud or the brand could be lost in confusion. Penelope,

In the twitter situation, Ryan is doing this for the Brazen Careerist cause. Isn't he being like you in your volleyball days?

I'm seeing an issue has shown up in this situation; After extending your brand, you created 2 Brazen Careerist brands now: One is Penelope & the other is the network/company.

More techniques or technology for brands distinction will show up as time goes, so this will happen more & more.

Here are some suggestion:
- Split the brands (Brazen Careerist for Penelope & Brazen Careerists for the Network)
- Take yourself out/merge the Brazen Careerist (Brazen Careerist is the company/Network & you are the champion/leader of the network)

You have to nip the issue in the bud or the brand could be lost in confusion.

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