What Starbucks Logo Redesign Means

"Starbucks possesses one of retail’s most familiar brand marks, and the company will celebrate its 40th anniversary by introducing a new modification of its trademark siren logo, the inspiration for which goes back to a 16th century Norse woodcut found by Seattle graphic designer Terry Heckler. Most notable in the redesign is dropping "Starbucks Coffee" from the ring encircling the mermaid.

"There have also been less obvious tweaks to the visual itself—more emphasis to the top of the siren and less on the scales—but consumers may see stylistic patterns reminiscent of the tails used elsewhere in Starbucks’ graphics. Terry Davenport, Starbucks' svp, marketing, spoke to AdweekMedia about what the company’s changing visual identity reveals about the brand’s expanding business model."

AdweekMedia | Q&A: Starbucks Marketing Svp on Logo Redesign

Digital Advertising Inspirationally Projected Into 2011

With the New Year just round the corner, the world is abuzz with prophecies of every color, size and breed - but not all predictions are created equal; some are plain old common sense, which commodity, by the way, is notoriously uncommon. Take, for instance, the 6 Predictions for Digital Advertising in 2011 by Jesse Thomas; quite a few of them come across as a matter of putting two and two together - once you have read them.

Heck, let us not be too unkind to ourselves and too grudging in giving credit where it is due; all things inspirational seem obvious once revealed, but impossible before.

Questions Fundamental to Strategy, Execution

"Business leaders can't develop and execute effective strategy without first gathering the right information, says Harvard Business School professor Robert Simons. In his new book, Seven Strategy Questions: A Simple Approach for Better Execution, Simons explains how managers can identify holes in their planning processes and make smart choices. Here's an excerpt outlining the seven questions every manager should ask."

Seven Strategy Questions: A Simple Approach for Better Execution — HBS Working Knowledge