When Your Company Name Becomes a Killer
Always have a backup plan when naming a product or service. You never know when bad news might affect business.
(Of course it's not just companies, it can be people too. You know this guy gets all kinds of ribbing even today. And this poor guy.)
I'm not sure how things are going for Manson Construction out of Seattle, but they've probably weathered the toughest part by now. Same goes for Kansas City Chevy dealer Cable-Dahmer.
Those companies stuck it out and stayed in business, likely saying, "We will not tarnish the memory of Great Grandaddy Manson, who gave all he had to this company. This too, shall pass."
Not so for this unfortunate company. Sales dropped 50% in the aftermath of the discovery of AIDS and they eventually gave up.
You never know when a lone gunman with your name or an epidemic that sounds like your name will strike. Your business strategy should include an emergency plan for these unfortunate possibilities.
I'm not kidding. This former Chiefs wide receiver could've broken every NFL receiving record and still never landed on the first page of Google when someone searched his name.
(Of course it's not just companies, it can be people too. You know this guy gets all kinds of ribbing even today. And this poor guy.)
I'm not sure how things are going for Manson Construction out of Seattle, but they've probably weathered the toughest part by now. Same goes for Kansas City Chevy dealer Cable-Dahmer.
Those companies stuck it out and stayed in business, likely saying, "We will not tarnish the memory of Great Grandaddy Manson, who gave all he had to this company. This too, shall pass."
Not so for this unfortunate company. Sales dropped 50% in the aftermath of the discovery of AIDS and they eventually gave up.
You never know when a lone gunman with your name or an epidemic that sounds like your name will strike. Your business strategy should include an emergency plan for these unfortunate possibilities.
I'm not kidding. This former Chiefs wide receiver could've broken every NFL receiving record and still never landed on the first page of Google when someone searched his name.
Labels: Branding, company names, Kansas City Chiefs, strategy
Sent into orbit at
12:28 PM
2 Comments:
That reminds me of the magnet school they opened at my high school years ago. At first they wanted to call it the School of Technology and Design or "STD" for short.
My journalism teacher pointed out another popular acronym for STD to the district. Today, the school's known as DATA (Design And Technology Academy). It's probably a good thing, too, because the high school's mascot is a Rough Rider, and the school newspaper is called the "Big Stick."
By
Anonymous, at July 20, 2007 at 2:10 PM
... because the high school's mascot is a Rough Rider, and the school newspaper is called the "Big Stick."
I lost some Diet Coke through the nose on that one.
By
Thinking In Vain, at July 20, 2007 at 3:38 PM
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