Link: http://cre8tivjuice.com

Regardless of whether or not marketers actively mold and position their brand, customers have an opinion of it.

Every touch point a consumer is exposed to – the website, ads, customer service, etc. – plays a part in shaping the brand for them. If they brand is muddled, disjointed or passively communicated, consumers will take the leadership to step in and define it.

Take the case of a retail store that promotes its great service for instance. If consumers are met by disinterested or disgruntled employees that don’t follow the brand’s promises, consumers will identify the brand through their experience with it. “Says one thing and does another.” Thus, we have a runaway brand with control in the hands of the consumer. Not the marketer.

Successful brands are able to retain a certain level control in a spectrum of mediums. Every touch point for these brands delivers strategic, consistent messaging to the consumer. While they encourage consumer to engage and interact with the brand, they do not allow consumers to create the brand perception for themselves.

However, in a world where brands – and discussions about them – are moving into new and seemingly endless media, marketers cannot keep total control of their brands. Nowhere is this more visible than social networks. New Facebook pages and Twitter profiles are created every day – make that every minute. It is inevitable for unofficial, user profiles to spread negative messaging about a brand. In this case, marketers must learn to counteract these effects.

Engaging consumers and encouraging interaction on these channels redirects their attention to the proper source. In the process, it positions a brand as transparent, savvy and connected with its audience.

For more information on how we can help lead your brand, please contact us at info@cre8tivjuice.com.

Link: http://www.wonderfund.org/donate.php

Haiti’s children are tragically affected by personal injury and by loss of family and loved ones. They are hurt, scared and hungry. Many of them will be arriving at Jackson’s Holtz Children’s Hospital and we want to do anything we can to help. Please help us help them by donating now to IKF Wonderfund’s emergency Haiti’s Children Fund.

With holiday shopping in full swing, consumers looking for that perfect gift are more likely to splurge on items that are recognizable values and bargains.

For instance, this year’s Black Friday shoppers purchasing HDTV’s sought out the deeply discounted models while passing on higher quality models that presented less of a bargain. Such a mentality is a by-product of the slowly rebounding economy.

To take advantage of this trend, Cre8tiv Juice Group has helped some of its clients to develop new product offerings: discounted/clearance derivatives of their brand.

“You need to offer consumers a way to access your brand through value offerings,” said Mauricio Giammattei, partner at Cre8tiv Juice Group. “You’ll grow your consumer base and keep current customers loyal, even in though economic times.”

Two such Miami-based clients of Cre8tiv Juice that are implementing this strategy are Opustone, a stone importer and distributor, and MIYO Home, an exotic furniture retailer.

Opustone’s offering, Value Vault, features small lots and discontinued items at discounted prices, all available as “cash and carry.” The space, which is located across the street from their main showroom, is targeted toward bargain-minded shoppers and weekend warriors looking to complete a small project.

Meanwhile, MIYO Home has just launched their Clearance Center, offering consumers last season’s must-haves at discounted prices. The selection includes outdoor furniture, sofas, love seats and more. The Clearance Center targets shoppers who are smart about value but still seek style when choosing their home décor.

It’s a “win-win” from a branding standpoint. The new offerings expand the consumer base, provide current customers a new option and allow the parent brand to retain its brand equity and value.

To find out more about these two Miami retailers, visit miyohome.com and opustone.com.

Link: http://www.wonderfund.org

Cre8tiv Juice has just launched a wonderful new fundraising campaign for International Kid's Fund: IKF's Wonderfund.

The campaign, which launched today, aims to increase the reach of IKF in providing life-saving medical care to children-in-need. Cre8tiv Juice's involvement in the project including naming, logo design, brand analysis and positioning, web design, merchandising programs and more.

Get involved today by visiting wonderfund.org, finding them on Facebook and following them on Twitter in order to help Make Wonders Happen.