Posts Tagged ‘branding’

What’s Your Brand’s Story? A Tattoo That Tells All!

May 30, 2010 • Atlanta, GA USA – What’s your brand’s story?

For 21-year-old Atlanta Whole Foods Cashier Sarah, she wears her personal brand story on her “sleeve” – literally – a tic-toc-toe board tattoo.

Sarah

“I am seeking ‘X’s and ‘O’s – hugs and kisses – for a lifetime of love,” says Sarah confidently with a huge, glowing smile pointing to her tattoo as she scans my groceries. Her brand is clear; concise; and is focused on the future; not the past.

But, that’s not the story Sarah shared with me two minutes earlier when I asked her for the backstory behind her tic-tac-toe tattoo prominently “branded” on her left arm.

“Please don’t judge me by my tattoo,” Sarah requested. “I got it when I was 16. I was hanging out with a friend who was getting a tattoo. While waiting, I saw on the board that if you got a tic-tac-toe tattoo, it was free. So, I thought I would be cool to get it … and in the most obvious place possible.”

Sarah's 'Branding'

“Are you happy with your tattoo,” I asked her. “No. I’ve looked into getting it removed – and covered – and it’s just too expensive. I’ve learned to just live with it,” she said.

“Sarah, you need a new story,” I suggested. She agreed. By the time I had paid for my groceries – I had re-positioned Sarah with a new “branding” story that didn’t require the removal of her ‘branding’ on her arm. [Sarah re-tells her "before" and "after" "branding" story in the video (below) while she was on her break.]

I am a GREAT! IDEAologist. I love thinking of ideas. Big ideas. Ideas that can make a difference.

For more than 20 years, clients continue to say, “That’s a great idea!” Or, “That’s GREAT!

Thinking of great ideas – to help a client with a marketing; promotion; buzz marketing campaign; or, social media marketing challenge – usually takes longer than the time it takes to ring-up $112.69 in groceries. Today, it took just two minutes to change how Sarah sees herself, her tattoo and her future – a future filled with X’s and O’s – hugs and kisses – for a lifetime of love.

That’s the power of a GREAT! Idea.

Short URL For This Story

• http://j.mp/TattooTellsAll

Postscript: (7/21/10)

Associated Press – What’s the big deal, Mom? It’s just a tattoo!