Re-reading Peter York’s 1984 book Modern Times, we came to ask the question. Has it come too far? York (real name Peter Wallis), astute author of The Sloane Ranger Handbook, asserted in the chapter “Chic Graphique” that before the sixties, corporate identity was abstract. But with the advent of theMORE HERE

The automotive blog The Truth About Cars by Martin Schwoerer reports that Talbot could return as an inexpensive car marque of Peugeot, perhaps made in Eastern Europe. They didn’t like the idea. We sort of do, but we do think he has raised a valid discussion about the meaning ofMORE HERE

Crocker, the California motorbike company, is back, led by Canadian Michael Schacht. The bikes were built between 1936 and 1942. Folks called them the Duesenberg of motorbikes. It was one of many brands in the U.S., including Vincent and Brough Superior, Indian and Harley. Forbes Life recently featured the brand,MORE HERE

Time for the Moose-e-phant? Or Moose-elephant? A change up for for the Republican brand, home of the pistol packin’ mama of five. Go moose hunting with us! We are migrating to our own website, www.brandlandUSA.com. If you have questions or ideas, please send them to Garland Pollard’s email.MORE HERE

Hmmm. Reading about city and municipal branding, and which brand is better, is totally normative. What is a great city to one is a bad city to others. So we were fascinated to read how city brands were rated by the Saffron European City Brand Barometer. The survey looked atMORE HERE

The BBC is airing a documentary on brands as part of their In Business series. It will be broadcast on Radio 4 in the UK in three weeks beginning 25 September and will be on the BBC World Service in October. In Business is hosted by Peter Day. His onlineMORE HERE

Discussion topic this morning on talk radio. What song should Sarah Palin have as her “intro” before she addresses the RNC? Radio talk shows are buzzing, and bringing back an old name. Revlon’s Enjoli. Actually, the commercial is based on the old Peggy Lee song, herself a good friend ofMORE HERE

clorox

Clorox is truly one of the wonder brands. Since its introduction in 1913 in Oakland, California, Clorox has become an essential part of the American household. The Clorox website history claims (and we believe it) that eight out of 10 households have Clorox bleach in their houses (and we would guessMORE HERE

How far can you extend a brand? REALLY far. What if we told you that a broke artist’s cartoon about a steamboat captain could turn into a shipping line? You would never believe us. But that’s what happened. Here, the Disney Wonder (or is it Magic) heading out of PortMORE HERE

It’s back to school time. And what better to look at education brands. Here, a reading kit from Science Research Associates. This was a company, once owned by IBM, would turn students into budding scientists to beat the Soviets in the Space Race. The company introduced the SRA Reading LaboratoryMORE HERE