Should be fun to see what the boys at Microsoft have been working on.

Install is at 11% right now at 7:19.

The argument of “if its not broke don’t fix it” could definitely work here but I won’t go there. This 21 year stretch from the last corporate re-design Pepsi undertook was the longest in the company’s history. Pepsi had, on average, changed its image ever 12 years so this change is one that is long overdue. The simple fact is that after 6 months and $1 million dollars later, the Arnell group, Pepsi’s new agency, should have been thinking a little more forward not so much backward.

I’ll skip over the obvious references to the fact that the creative director at Arnell stole this font from an old Diet Pepsi t-shirt or that Pepsi decided that people still don’t know how to pronounce thier name and decided to keep the name of their drink stapled to side of their logo like a dangling baby fetus.

To identify and share your brand with consumers on a level that Pepsi competes at you have to have a staple, be something comfortable that consumers can understand and relate with, and something that a consumer wants to have in their fridge, cooler and in their hand while enjoying their favorite activity. Coca-Cola continues to dominate Pepsi due to the fact that they understand that selling a “coke” isn’t just selling a beverage, it’s selling a feeling of comfort. Something that having some multi-million dollar TV ad where Madonna lights off fireworks while 50 cent does burnouts in a Ferrari does not. That kind of effort renews brand image in  your consumer eyes momentarily and might drive some short term sales but it doesn’t re-kindle any sort of love affair your consumers have with your brand.

All you need for that is a bright red background with a familiar calligraphic logo.

What a way to start the New Year!

Can’t wait to get home to South FL.

This night will just go down as one of those experiences that no one else will fully understand but here’s a few tidbits: alcohol wristbands sponsored by a local law firm, hospital bed races, no penalties, atv burnouts in front of children, liabilty heaven and team encouraged chants that end with “You Suck!”

Oh yeah, I had one of the best salads I’ve ever had before the game at a place called Trio.

Today, I’m in Gatlinburg enjoying the day. We started off by heading to the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Rockies which was really cool.

Tonight Tim and I are going to the Knoxville Ice Bears game which should be a blast.

They live in Morristown, TN and it’s actually quite a pretty awesome place. I could totally live here.

It looks decent so far but I’m still missing a few things. Here’s a few shots if what it looks like at night presently.

Also, It didn’t even occur to me that my blow up polar bear I got will deflate every night morning when the lights turn off, lol.