Domino’s Pizza is on a taste-test attack against Subway. Domino’s recently rolled out oven-baked sandwiches (which is a sketchy brand strategy, but that’s a different story). Taste-test results show Domino’s on top. Of course, Subway doesn’t like this. It always fascinates me when companies threaten legal action against a competitor in order to change the mind of their consumers. Does Subway really believe that a lawsuit against Domino’s will suddenly make their sandwiches taste better? Do they intend to browbeat their consumer’s taste buds into submission? Psst! …Subway…it doesn’t work that way.

We’ve had the joy of working with PFE30 for almost a year and we’re excited to announce that the company is launching its first performance-based campaign. PFE30 is officially the first Mojoloco client to begin this push towards new marketing tactics and performance-based media. The company will begin its campaign through Google AdWords, and will target a very precise local area- Brandon, Ridgeland, and Madison. PFE30 offers a premium product, and early reseaerch indicates that the company should do well with this approach. It’s an excellent way to increase transparency and maximize ad dollars during difficult economic times. We at Mojoloco are excited about this opportunity with PFE30 and vendor Burns Smith at WSI.

Everyone wants it….something for nothing, that is. For the first time in 12 years of work in this industry, I had a prospect actually walk out of the room today in disgust…didn’t even say goodbye or shake hands. A doctor…a plastic surgeon. Supposedly a nice guy. Hmmm…

The reason he walked out? Because we do not work for free. Why is it that otherwise reasonable and intelligent individuals think that the creative industry owes them a living? Of course, his reasoning was that if a patient comes to him, he gives before and after photos of his work to help the patient make an informed decision. Ok. I get that. I can give you before and after samples of my work, too…right here. What I won’t do is work for you without payment or at least a gentleman’s understanding of where the relationship is headed. I would assume that this same doctor would not perform half a boob job for free in order to help his patient make an informed decision.

Truly successful brand symbols all lie at the birth of a social movement. I don’t mean just your run-of-the-mill corporate brand logos. I mean real, larger-than-life, old school, American brands like Uncle Sam, Jeep, Deadhead, Daisy Dukes, Yellow Ribbons, and Mano Cornuto. (Mano who?) You know…devil horns. Heavy metal horns. Whatever you want to call it. It’s become a universal symbol of rock & roll rebellion.

What do all of these symbols have in common? They all lie at the origin of a social movement. People were rallying around a feeling or emotion or idea. These symbols gave the idea a voice…a way to express the inexpressible. The real kicker? These symbols didn’t try to create a movement. They simply became a symbol of a movement that was already there. That’s branding at its best: Being relevant, being timely, being yourself. Rock on.

Mojoloco is rolling out a performance-based operating model for qualified prospects and clients. The traditional agency/client relationship is based on billable time. The problem is that agency must provide due diligence while remaining under budget- this is often very difficult. In many cases, either the agency or the client must sacrifice without reward. As a new alternative, Mojoloco is offering a performance-based relationship wherein the agency is paid for results rather time. This option will be available for certain tactics and to businesses with a recurring, residual, or high-margin revenue model. For more information, contact the company.

This is what good branding is all about- forming a relationship with the consumer. So many brands make the mistake of building a one-sided brand that does nothing but take from the consumer. They learn quickly that consumers have little patience for such endeavors.

Hyundai is advertising what they call the “Hyundai Assurance.” And they predicate it on another move by the company from a decade ago…