Press

Q&A- Why Starbucks Got Dunked
Robert Passikoff talks about Starbucks' announcement that it is shuttering 600 stores, the end of what seemed to be the company's continual upward climb and its invincibility in the retail coffee shop industry.By James Bernstein, NY Newsday (7/2/08)

Cross-Platform Ads: What's Working?
At the ARF's Audience Measurement 3.0 Conference in New York this week, ABC and Brand Keys presented a recent ABC case-study done to quantify ad recall and audience reach across their linear and digital channels for advertisers. The study was able to demonstrate how ads that ran on multiple ABC platforms ultimately boosted sales. By Andrew Hampp, Advertising Age.  (6/26/08)

McDonald's Kicks Off Latest Round Of Kung Fu Marketing
McDonald's latest worldwide, multi-faceted marketing campaign: a movie tie-in with Dreamworks' "Kung Fu Panda" and the Beijing Olympics for which McDonald's is the official restaurant/food service sponsor. "One thing you can't say about McDonald's is that they're not extremely savvy marketers," commented Robert Passikoff. By Karlene Lukovitz of Marketing Daily.  (6/5/08)

Tossing Stone
Robert Pasikoff comments on Christian Dior's recent troubles with celebrity spokesperson, Sharon Stone.  (5/29/08)

The Research Trap
Jack Trout, an expert in identifying insights, and Robert Passikoff share some thoughts about what they call the research trap, and offer some advice about how to avoid some research pitfalls. From Jack Trout's column, Tales from the Marketing Wars" on Forbes.com.  (5/14/08)

Mother's Day Becomes Universal-Men Spend More than Women on Mom
According to a Brand Keys survey an average of $140.00 will be spent on Mom this year. Click her to read more on what Brand Keys says men will spend versus women. In eBrand Marketing.  (4/28/08)

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts of Dallas is Branding Its Spas
"Brand can add value to a property," commented Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys on the Ultra-luxury hotel owner, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts adding Spas to their locations. Click here to read more. By Suzanne Marta of the Dallas Morning News.  (4/26/08)

Trying to Connect in a Crowd
Now-a-days you need something more! For years, if you needed to go up a hill covered in snow, the only one you'd think about was Subaru," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. "But that kind of single-value ownership is not that leverageable anymore." Click here to read more about Brand Leverage and Subaru's new Love is all you need declaration. BY Stuart Elliot of The New York Times.  (4/24/08)

Starbucks Seeks Jolt From Another Mass Tactic
"I think it's desperation," said Robert Passikoff, president of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on Starbucks and their recent need to coupon. By Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age.  (4/21/08)

start:Engineering A Marketing Strategy
Brands that address the problems of RFID (radio frequency identification) technology and consumers' fears about privacy and protection may be the brands that end up differentiating themselves from their competitors. (4/14/08)

Airline's Marketing Disaster Exacerbated By Low Safety Regard
"One of the loyalty laws is that people who are loyalty to brands are six times more willing to give the brand the benefit of the doubt," said Robert Passikoff. He argues that American Airlines lack of safety concern is a leading cause of consumers declined loyalty in the brand. Do you agree? Click here to read more. By Karl Greenberg of Marketing Daily. (4/11/08)

Airline's Marketing Disaster Exacerbated By Low Safety Regard
"One of the loyalty laws is that people who are loyal to brands are six times more willing to give the brand the benefit of the doubt in just this kind of situation," says Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc, on American Airlines past week of canceling some 2,400 flights. Click here to read more on customer loyalty in the airline category. By Karl Greenberg of Marketing Daily.  (4/11/08)

Customers seek more
"Customization" has become on of main brand differentiators according to the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index list. Click here to read more. By Robert Passikoff for theWisemarketer.com  (3/31/08)

Offseason's steroids stories don't dampen fans' love of baseball
After the shock of the Mitchell Report, the love of baseball and the level of athlete expectation has fallen. According to the Brand Keys "loyalty index" baseball's loyalty level dropped from 109 to 101, with the ideal rating at 119. Click here to read more. By Larry Stone of The Seattle Times.  (3/29/08)

Bad Penny
"Consumes haven't bought it," said Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys Inc. So much for ambition, despite J.C. Penny's introduction of hip new brands, the retailer still reported negative comparable-store sales. Click here to read more about the cause of slumping sales. By Kelly Nolan of Forbes.com. (3/28/08)

J.C.Penney's First-Quarter Plight
According to Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, "Penney's is trying to create a unique identity and is counting on Ralph Lauren - but that's not going to work now," he said. Due to an exacerbating consumer spending slump, J.C. Penney will miss it's sales again. By Pallavi Gogoi  (3/28/08)

Starbucks Paved Way. and Now It Must Pay
According to the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index, for the second-consecutive year, Starbucks fell, now trailing after McDonalds, said Robert Passikoff. Click here to read the real threat Starbucks faces in the coffee category. By Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age.  (3/24/08)

Lysol Looks to Clean Up In Hand Sanitizer Space
"Not all brands are as flexible as others," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys on Lysol's conversion into the hand sanitizer space. Click here to read more on what Robert thinks of Lysol's conversion into a new category. By Eric Newman of Brandweek.  (3/16/08)

Lenders Labeled New Marketing Villians
"There's something within the consumer that lies dormant for a while with low-interest categories like insurance or banking--until something goes wrong," said Robert Passikoff on the House of Representatives consideration of a bill of rights for credit-card holders. Click here to read more credit card issuers regulations. by Matthew Creamer of Advertising Age.  (3/10/08)

Keeping an Eye on Celebrity Design Collections
"The thing is that there is a big difference between a line of clothing or jewelry "borrowing" equity from the celeb and the celebrity actually having real credibility as a designer," said Robert Passikoff of celebrity product lines. Click here to read more. By Robert Passikoff. (3/6/08)

News Outlets Fixate on Starbucks' No-Joe Play
Starbucks closed its doors for three hours, was it smart? Did they get anything out of it? Robert Passikoff disagrees with most. "One of the big rules in the business is never drive customers into a competitor's arms, and that's exactly what they did," he said. Click here to read more. By Advertising Age.  (3/3/08)

Blue Man Group Flies With Allegiant
"Bizarre and expedient," said Robert Passikoff of the merging between Allegient Air and the quirky performance troupe, Blue Man Group. Was this a risky business decision for Allegient air? Click here to read more. By Maurna Desmond of Forbes.com (2/27/08)

Dunkin' Joins The Crowd, Offers 99-Cent Coffees Tuesday
How interesting! Dunkin' Donuts plans to offer 99-cent coffee drinks to customers on Tuesday from 1 to 10 pm, while Starbucks closes to retrain employees. Click here to read more. By Nina Lentini of Marketing Daily. (2/25/08)

The top US brand and the loyalty challenge
For the first time in eleven years, the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index survey has shown changes in the main drivers of loyalty and brand engagement. Could this be because consumers now, have more control of what messages reach them and which they decide to engage in? Click here to read more on the loyalty challenge that brands will soon face. By The Wise Marketer.  (2/25/08)

The Brand That Ties Us
"Ties between brands used to be the exception, but there are more ties than there have ever been. This speaks to commoditization." said Robert Passikoff. "Many brands are now just placeholders." Click here to read more and see some of the ties that appeared in the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index. By Seana Mulcahy of onlineSPIN.  (2/25/08)

Tim Horton's Toughest Foe; With 2,100 stores in the region, New England is Dunkin' Dobuts turf
A lack of brand recognition could hurt the Canadian Tim Horton brand. The coffee-and-doughnut franchise bought 42 New England Stores out of Bankruptcy, hoping to break into the New England market. But Dunkin Donut's being No.1 in the coffee category could stop Tim Horton from being a success. Click here to read more. By Janet Whitman of Financial Post. (2/23/08)

Starbucks Retraining Strategy: Is It Rash Or Brash move?
Brand guru Robert Passikoff called the closing of Starbucks "a wonderful idea for the competition." Does a shift in the category put more pressure on coffeehouses to deliver more quality and taste? Click here to read more. By Nina Lentini of Marketing Daily.  (2/22/08)

Pepsi Wins
The Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Winners are those brands that are best able to engage consumers, thus creating, loyal customers. Pepsi was amongst those winners within the Soft Drink category. By scout.com (2/22/08)

Analysts: Lack of focus caused Wendy's to end up on sale block
"First, the trend in quick service was quality, and Wendy's was kicking the heck out of everyone," said Robert Passikoff. "Second, it was Dave Thomas. He was a very comfortable fit with the audience." Could years of placing first have caused Wendy's to lose site of competition? (2/21/08)

Starbucks-dominated category wakes up and smells McD's espresso tollout
"Success for both Starbucks and McDonald's hinges on appealing to a customer who has developed a sophisticated pallet for coffee," said Robert Passikoff. Will the burger giant have a chance with their "McCafe's"? Click here to read more. By Gregg Cebrzynski of Nation's Restaurant News.  (2/21/08)

2008; The Year Of 'The Perfect Marketing Storm'
"The fusion of consumer empowerment, media complexity, and brand genericism is about to cause tsunami-like changes to cellphones and wireless services," said Robert Passikoff. When 'plan pricing trumps 'service,' that's one dangerous signal, he said. Click here to read more on the change in consumer needs and who makes the best cellphones. By Wireless Business Forecast. (2/21/08)

Customer Loyalty Engagement Index Underscores Commoditization
According to Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc, brands are more indistinguishable than ever. Click here to read more. By Karlene Lukovitz of MarketingDaily.  (2/20/08)

Wal-Mart: Fashioning a New Growth Track: Sales at the big-box retailer outpace the industry, but Wal-Mart is struggling to stave off a decline in growth. Can high-margin apparel sales do the trick?
"It's similar to a strategy where Hyundai starts producing a luxury car--" said Robert Passikoff of Wal-Marts attempt at high-end apparel. "Would people believe the brand?" Click here to read more. By Pallavi Gogoi of BusinessWeek.  (2/20/08)

A New Playbook
"Playboy isn't about sexuality so much as it's about power-an economic power," says Robert Passikoff, of Playboy's expansion away from magazines and towards luxury clothing and gambling hot spots. "Having the economic means to live extremely well...That travels well." Click here to read more. BY John Intini of Canoe Network.  (2/19/08)

No Polo Pony, but Penny's New Label Is Pure Ralph Lauren Americana
JcPenny and Ralph Lauren team up to produce a new line of clothing and home furnishings called American Living. "Are people willing to believe it," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. "It's a great idea, but you're likely better off putting something like that into a Macy's." Is there a future for the American Living Brand? Click here to read more. By Stuart Elliott of the New York Times.  (2/19/08)

McD's, Sam Adams in Line With Shifting Loyalty Drivers.
"Certain products and services have lost their brandness," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read which top brands did best at meeting or exceeding consumer expectations. By Kenneth Hein of Brandweek.  (2/17/08)

Love is All Around
Valentine's Day is now the third largest among retailers. Valentine's Day "has massively spread to encompass others," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on what is being purchased and how much is being spent this year. By Joseph Pisani of CNBC.com (2/8/08)

Research Desk: What's the Price of Love? Average of $128 Spent on Valentine's This Year, and Men Lead the Charge
What's the price of love? "On average, $128" says Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on the break down of who will spend what this Valentine's Day. By BrandMediaWeek (2/5/08)

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
What drives engagement and loyalty for your brand? Click here to read what Robert Passikoff, PhD and Amy Shea have to say.  (2/1/08)

The Retail Game
What us to be "you're not a brand until you're sold everywhere," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, is now "you're not a brand until you have retail outlets." Would you agree its a smart move by Under Armour to open its own retail stores? Click here to read more. By Neil Janowitz of International Council of Shopping Centers.  (2/1/08)

Sprint- A Brand In Crisis
"Everyone knows Sprint, but no one knows them for anything in particular," commented Robert Passikoff on one of Sprint's branding problems. "This is, they are a brand in serious need of a story." click here to read more on Sprint and its comparison to competition. By Brand Story. (1/28/08)

Advertising Chaos
in respond to the digital age and advertising via the internet Robert Passikoff comments, "With no one single 'decent' predictive integrated model out there," he said. "It's not a matter of consumption. You need a reaction and a brand engagement model in order to be able to know what is happening." Click here to read more on Advertising and the digital t.v. age. By Carol Wilson of Telephony. (1/28/08)

Ihop: Let them Eat Pancakes
"The brand is a classic brand, classic," says Robert Passikoff, founder of Brand Keys Inc. "They only do one thing, they do it well and they never falter," he said of the successful company that has a 50-year tenure in the industry. Click here to read more. By Sarah E. Lockyer of Nation's Restaurant News.  (1/28/08)

Venture Capitalist from Seattle Makes Forbes Midas List
STARBUCKED: "This cheapens the brand. It says they're scared as hell about the 14,000 McDonald's coffee Bars about to open up, said Robert Passikoff of the discounted "short" cup of drip coffee. Click here to read more on "venture capitalist" ideas. By Seattle Post-Intelligencer. (1/27/08)

Starbucks tests $1 Dollar coffee at Some Seattle Stores
"This cheapens the brand," said Robert Passikoff of Starbucks $1-a-cup test. Could this test harm the Starbucks brand image? Click here to read more. By Bruce Horowitz of USA Today.  (1/23/08)

How to Secure Loyalty in a Competitive Market
"What really drives loyalty in the Coffee Category?" If you guessed convenience, guess again. Convenient Locations is not strictly the dominant driver. Click here to read more. By Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc., for Utalkmarketing.com  (1/23/08)

Just How Super is the Super Bowl?
Click here to read what Robert Passikoff has to say about the effects of the Super Bowl and how much awareness really is created on that Monday-morning, post-game. By Robert Passikoff for Chief Marketer.  (1/22/08)

Marketers make Friends With Savvy Online Consumers
"you're dealing with a different consumer base== the bionic consumer of the 21st century," said Robert Passikoff of the new concept of Companies using Facebook to help build consumer trust in brands. Click here to read more. By Kelly Shermach of MediaPostPublications.  (1/21/08)

Investors Run From Sprint
Gloomy outlook for 2008. Click here to read more on plunging shares and job cuts for the Sprint Nextel Corporation.  (1/19/08)

Starbucks CEO Aims to Return to Brand Roots
Starbucks has a new strategy, committing to in-store customer experience. However, their commitment to positive change is under speculation. Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys is skeptical. Mr. Passikoff thinks Starbucks could fall further, with a surprise appearance from a new brand. Click here to read more. By Emily Bryson York from Advertising Age.  (1/18/08)

Quality of Brand Awareness On Super Bowl Is Winning key
"What you want to see is a minimum of plus-seven points to your brand to ensure you're getting a real return on the effort," commented Robert Passikoff of New York based Brand Keys Inc., on advertising and the resulting brand awareness. By Karl Greenburg for Marketing Daily.  (1/17/08)

Marketers Brace For Fallout From Vytorin Report
Merck and Shering-Plough's admission that Vytorin works as well as the generic Zocor instills a "how can I trust them" form of emotional terror in the Pharma marketing world. Click here to read more on what Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys has to say about problem. By Nina M. Lentin of MediaPostPublications.  (1/16/08)

McD's Grande Plan: Become Java Giant
"Starbucks is going to have to step up to the counter," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. "McDonald's will be there with the coffee bar ready to go, and consumers don't want to make two stops." Do you think consumers are ready for specialty coffee by McDonald's? Click here to read more. By Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age.  (1/14/08)

Hey Ease Up On The Clown
Does advertising brainwash children? Does it aid in making a brand a commodity or a category placeholder? Click here to read more of Dr. Robert Passikoff's comments on the effects of advertising and marketing. By Robert Passikoff for Brandweek.  (1/7/08)

Research: Client Discontent Wreaked Havoc On Ad Agencies in '07; A historic $27.5 billion in business went into play in 2007.
"No[agency] really does it any better than the others, but they all claim to have their secret sauce," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on client discontent in 2007 and the cause of agency switch. By Steve McClellan of Brandweek.  (1/7/08)

Who Will Win The U.S. Coffee War?
McDonald's, Starbucks, or Dunkin? Who will pull ahead in the U.S., winning loyalty numbers for all category drivers? Click here to read more. By Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys for UTalkMarketing.com  (1/7/08)

Happy Endings
"It is a really neat way to co-brand, without officially co-branding," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys on the practice of merchandising complementary items together. Click here to read more by Christine Blank of SuperMarketNews.  (1/7/08)

Restaurant Market of the Year, Dunkin Donuts
In the new, more complex marketplace populated by Bionic consumers, just putting it out there (no matter how large your budget) just isnt enough any more. You need to resonate with authentic and believable values if you want your brand to really engage consumers. How believable do you need to be? click here to read more by Nina Lenteni of MediaPost.  (1/2/08)

'Desperate' Discounts for Retail
"It's wishful thinking to assume all can be recovered post season," commented Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys on retailers attempt at dramatically slashing costs to increase more spending. Are consumers "all shopped out?" Click here to read more on desperate retail discounts. By Moira Herbst of Businessweek.  (12/28/07)

Gold's Gym Flexes Muscles
Gold's Gym plans a major expansion of its chain in metro Detroit. By 2010 they plan to add 200 new locations throughout the U.S. "They have a certain heritage that is a little tougher," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on the "heavyweight heritage" of Gold's Gym and the odds of its success. By Greta Guest of the Detroit Free Press. (12/27/07)

Energy Costs Can Cause Strain on Holiday Shopping
Consumer spending is estimated at only a 2-percent increase over last year, according to a Brand Keys survey, could energy costs be the reason? Is this why retailers are competing for fewer consumer dollars? Click here to read more by Cadillacnews.com  (12/21/07)

Wal-Mart Playing Value Card for Yule
Robert Passikoff said in a recent study, 30% of the 16,000 surveyed, will spend less this holiday season. Wal-Mart took this information to heart, giving it's customers more value for their dollar. Click here to read more. By Katherine Bowers of Women's Wear Daily.  (12/20/07)

Target Tones Down Presentation for Holiday
"To a certain degree you allow the marketplace to set the boundaries and requirements," said Robert Passikoff on Targets down-played presentation for the Holiday's. Click here to read more. By Katerine Bowers of Women's Wear Daily.  (12/20/07)

Is Baseball Bulletproof?
History and Tradition take a "hit." After the release of the Mitchell Report Major League Baseball took a big hit in its consumer loyalty. Click here to read how. By Tom Lemke of The Washington Times.  (12/19/07)

Major League Baseball's Loyalty Index Reaches Nadir
MLB's Loyalty Index is just one point above the benchmark--100-- "It's the first time Major League's numbers have been that low," said Robert Passikoff. Could this have to do with the recently published Mitchell Report? Click here to read more By Karl Greenburg of MediaPostPublications.  (12/18/07)

Eight Major Brand Marketing Trends for 2008
During 2008, there are eight major marketing trends that will affect marketers. Click here to read Robert Passikoff's explanation of these trends and how to benefit from them. By Robert Passikoff for thewisemarketer.com  (12/17/07)

Unilever to Unveil Dove Ad Winner During Oscars
"The minute you open it up to commentary, it becomes less than a campaign and something more like social networking," commented Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, Inc., on the consumer-made Dove ads that will be voted on during next years Oscars. Click here to read more. By Karl Greenburg of MediaPostPublications.  (12/17/07)

Grooming Pains
Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys believes in a turn around for men's grooming products, but warns marketers not to move too far out of the box. Click here to read more. By Kelly Gates of Supermarket News.  (12/10/07)

Respite in the Razor Wars
"Shaving is such a chore, and there isn't a man alive who's completely happy with hsi current shaving equipment or products," says Robert Passikoff on the trials of shaving. Click here to read more on lack luster razor sales, and why total razors, and razor blade sales are down. By Kelly Gates and Dan Alaimo of Supermarket News.  (12/10/07)

Why Everone Wants Wii
"It's not the next Cabbage Path doll," Robert Passikoff said of the hot-hard-to-find-selling item, Nintendo Wii. Click here to read more on this years holiday spending. By Wayne T.Price of Florida Today.  (12/9/07)

Paris-based Mobile Marketing Firm Expands in U.S.
"Everyone's looking for something new and wonderful now, o there's a lot of shifting going on in mobile," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on mobile expansion in the U.S. By Gavin O'Malley of MediaPostPublications.  (12/6/07)

Any Other Label
Is one of the hottest brands, AOL, fading into the distance? Is Robert Passikoff right? does AOL come with too much baggage. Click here to read more. By Holly M. Sanders of New York Post.  (12/2/07)

Nintendo Wii Scarce Again This Year
"The Wii is something that will appeal to entire families, not just typical gamers," Said Robert Passikoff. So how much are you willing to pay for this years hot, hard-to-find products this holiday season? Click here to read more. BY Troy Wolverton of The Mercury News.  (11/29/07)

Follow the Leaders
Fickle Consumers? Consumers are being awarded a greater variety of brands at different price points than ever before. Click here to read the top specialty and department store retailers, ranked by Brand Keys' Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. By Women's Wear Daily.  (11/29/07)

Help Yourself
"Customer expectations regarding convenience have increased faster than any of the brands have been able to keep up with," said Robert Passikoff. Click here to read more. By Christine Blank of Supermarket News (11/26/07)

The Line Between Homage and Parody
"Losing a bit of the preciousness keeps these franchises relevant and alive," said Robert Passikoff of the new Walt Disney Musical "Enchanted." Click here to read more on why mocking classic Disney characters is no longer treason in the Magic Kingdom. By Brooks Barnes of The New York Times.  (11/25/07)

Online race with local shopping off to fast start
Is online price optimization affecting consumer behavior? If so, what does this mean for the brick-and-mortar retailers? Click here to read more. By Daniel Wagner of Newsday.com  (11/23/07)

US Survey identifies the leaders in brand loyalty
Consumers are turning to catalogue's and the internet to save money this year. Why you ask? Click here to read the Brand Key's Loyalty Leader's List. By thewisemarketer.com  (11/21/07)

Target: Cheap Chic Out of Style
"People are waiting for good news, and not getting it," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc. Click here to read why consumers are rejecting higher-margin, designer offerings. By Pallavi Gogoi of BusinessWeek.  (11/20/07)

Consumer products companies double down on brands
"It's kind of one-plus-one equals three," said Robert Passikoff of companies that are increasingly teaming up with other brands, combining two familiar names to create a new product. Clever? Click here to read more. By Dan Sewell, AP Business Writer (11/16/07)

Food Firms Prep For Salt-Free Wave
"Less salt, its a mandate from the doctor," said Robert Passikoff. Will subtracting salt add up to more sales? Or will fickle consumers tastes get in the way? Click here to read more. BY Vanessa L.Facenda of Brandweek.  (11/12/07)

Into The Abyss
Category after category is being to slide into commodotization, click here to read more on behavioral targeting as opposed to basing pitches on consumer attitudes, opinions pr perceptions. By Jack Trout of Forbes.com  (11/7/07)

Can Good Marketing Get the Pacers out of the Doghouse?
"The Pacers have slipped from second in the league in 2002 to No. 13 in last months index. That's out of 30 teams in the NBA." said Robert Passikoff according Brand Keys' Sports Loyalty Index. Click here to read more on the low attendance and bruised image of the Indiana Pacers. By Mark Alesia of Indystar.com (10/31/07)

Clorox: Bleach. Charcoal and... Burt's Bees: Company Pays $950 Million for Leading Natural Personal-Care Brand
Will consumer "Bee" happy about Burt's Bees being bought by Clorox Co? "It's likely not many of the consumers or category targets for Burt's Bees products are even going to know that Clorox has acquired the company," said Robert Passikoff on Burt's Bees becoming a division of Clorox Co. By Jack Neff of Advertising Age.  (10/31/07)

Reinvented Better Homes Sates Idea- Hungry Readers
"Trends come and go and things like that, but the fact is that they have had a very stable brand," says Robert Passikoff of Better Homes and Gardens. "They've just been consistent in what they've done and how they've managed the brand--and that's what 's important." Click here to read more. BY Nat Ives of Advertising Age.  (10/29/07)

Firing Your CMO? Read This First
The presence of a CMO has no impact positive or negative, on a company's sales growth or profitability. Curious? Click here. By Robert Passikoff for Brandweek. (10/29/07)

Dylan Touts Caddy Escalade's Standard XM Radio
"Brands continually look to borrow equity from celebrities," says Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc.,"Consumers have become very sohpisticated about these things and realize who gets paid to say what," he says. Click here to read more about Bob Dylan and his influence with XM radio and Cadillac. By Laurie Sullivan of Media Post.  (10/23/07)

Strategy: Seiko Fashions A Timely Message With $20M Effort
"Style is the driver for watches and people are willing to pay for style," said Robert Passikoff. Click here to read more on Seiko's new vision of image and lifestyle as well as technology and reliability. By Vanessa L. Facenda of Brandweek.com (10/22/07)

AT&T Rebranding Effort 'A Failure of Epic Proportions'?
"From a brand perspective, there was probably a logic to what they did," said Robert Passikoff of AT&T's rebranding and take over of Cingular Wireless. Click here to read more. By Alice Z. Cuneo of Advertising Age (10/22/07)

Marketing Madonna: Industry Mulls Prospect of Pop Star Fragrance
"Madonna was a disaster for Versace," Passikoff told WWD last December. Click here to read more on why Madonna might face some challenges breaking into the fragrance industry. By WWD Staff, WWD.com  (10/12/07)

Martha Stewart Center for Living Does a Mother Proud
"It's an extraordinarily consonant donation, and a consonant name," said Robert Passikoff, President and Founder of Brand Keys Inc. "That kind of coginitive reinforcement is a think that only makes a brand stronger," on the Martha Stewart's Center for Living. Click here to read more. By Amanda Gordon of The New York Sun.  (10/8/07)

Loyalty Suffers When Consumers Pinch Pennies
This year, brands that saved their customers money or were perceived to have good value got the highest rankings in Brand Keys 2007 Loyalty Leaders List.  (10/8/07)

Advertisers Seem Unfazed By Issue of Sexual Predators on Social Networks
On the home front, parental concern over online safety has risen more than 30% since last year, according to Brand Keys. Click here to read more on the pressures relating to social networks. By Gavin O'Malley of MediaPostPublications.  (10/8/07)

Licensing Deal: Home Run-- or House of Card?
Better Homes and Gardens has created an "extraordinarily interesting" concept said Robert Passikoff. Will it be a guaranteed success? Click here to read more. By Nat Ives of Advertising Age.  (10/8/07)

Consumer Brand Preferences Grow Stronger (Top brands 2007)
"There really are brands that have managed to confront to find ways to engage and create an emotional bond with consumers," said Robert Passikoff on consumer appreciation of brands and how they continue to change. Click here to read more of what Dr. Passikoff has to say about growing brand preferences. BY Mike Duff of Retailing Today.  (9/24/07)

Who's True? The Image-Makers Rate Authenticity
"When you're thinking about authenticity, you're thinking about classics, the things that endure," Says Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to see what brands Robert considers "classic." By Women's Wear Daily.  (9/12/07)

Stylish Green Kitchen Gear
"Some sense of added value is what consumers are responding too," says Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, on The Sub Zero 601R, an energy saving fridge that requires less energy to run than a 100-watt light bulb. Click here to read further. By Lauren Sherman of Forbes.com (9/12/07)

Luxury at your fingertips Middle-class women are scrimping and saving for the priciest handbags. Who says fashion must be beautiful?
All in the name of luxury and status, women will go to great lengths for a bag. Click here to read why. By Lisa Anderson/Booth Moore/Melissa Magsaysay of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times.  (9/9/07)

Chain No Longer Just About Doughnut
"Dunkin' Donuts doesn't have a great presence, but they have the right values that resonate with the coffee-drinking public," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc,. Click here to read more of Dunkin' Donuts new attempt at opening up 75 new stores in the San Antonio area. By Melissa S. Moore of Express- News.  (9/7/07)

A Brand Tries to Invite Thought
"They're the Kmart of automobiles," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. "They've got everything, everything cheap," he says. Click here to read more of why the Hyundai Brand ranked 10th among the 13 automotive brands tracked by the 2007 Brand Keys Loyalty Index survey. By Stuart Elliott of the New York Times.  (9/7/07)

Drivers Size Up Fords (Unknowingly) in New Campaign
"It's the sound of a brand dying" said Robert Passikoff of Brand keys, on the Ford brand and what people think it stands for. Click here to read what Ford is doing to change their image. By Claire Atkinson of the New York Times (9/4/07)

Do Your Want Tunes With That? Music Marketing Shakes Up The Fast Good Game.
"Brands are using music to emotionally connect with today's youth," said Robert Passikoff. "That hope is that brand loyalty will follow." Read why hopeful fast food restaurants are using 'tunes' to draw in customers. By Michael Paoletta of Billboard.  (9/1/07)

Banks Reinforce Core Message Amid Turmoil
JP Morgan Chase mortgage ads were described as a "smart move" by Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. However, consumers still only have a preliminary idea of what has happened to mortgage rates in recent weeks. By Matthias Rieker of American Banker. (8/28/07)

U.S. Weakly: American Brands Take Hits
Country-of-origin, does it matter in today's society? If a brand does well, do people consider it American? "I am not sure people look at brands like Yahoo! and Google and necessarily think it's an American brand, given the kind of media ecology that exists," states Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. Click here to read more on the importance of brand country-of-origin. By Emily Bryson York of Advertising Age.  (8/27/07)

Mark Dolliver's Takes: A Data Cocktail
Click here to read Mark Dolliver's take on American drinking, spending, and entertainment. By Mark Dolliver of ADWEEK. (8/20/07)

Toymakers Ballyhoo 'Made in America'
"Every parents bubble bursts when the possibility exists that- because of a toy-their kid might die," Said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, Inc. Read more about why small AMERICAN toymakers and sellers are gearing up to emphasize 'Made in America.' By Bruce Horovitz and Laura Petrecca of USA Today. (8/16/07)

Battered-Brand Sundrome: Will Consumers Blame Mattel Or China?
How forgiving are consumers? "Not Very," comments Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys. He predicts that consumers will hold Mattel accountable for the expanding list of safety concerns on Mattel toys, instead of China. Click here to read more By Sarah Mahoney of Media Post.  (8/15/07)

Wal-Mart's Earnings Warning; The retail giant reported record quartlerly numbers, but cut its profit forecast for the rest of 2007, citing troubled operations and economic pressure on consumers.
Despite Wal-Mart's concerns for a difficult second-quarter, the one area where the move upmarket has worked out well is consumer electronics. "There is a halo- effect from these well-known brands," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc., "These brands are already category placeholders." Click here to read more on Wal-mart's move upmarket. By Pallavi Gogoi of BusinessWeeek Online. (8/15/07)

McBrainwashing? Not so McFast...
Click here to read what Robert Passikoff has to say about why most 3-to-5 year olds, who taste-tested a variety of foods, preferred those that came in a McDonald's wrapper; Even though the foods were exactly the same and included non-McDonald's foods, such as carrots. By Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc.  (8/14/07)

Players Get Arrested, But the NFL Rolls On
"One player can't submarine a football team," commented Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc, as to why the NFL has weathered its behavior problems better than the NBA, much of it has to do with how the NFL markets itself to fans. Click here to read more by Matt Woolsey of Forbes.com (8/13/07)

IKANYECLAST; Kanye West Has Become a Pop Icon By Marching to his Own Beats. But Will his Risks Pay Off Again?
What is the cost of being a headstrong artist who is ahead of the curve? "Refreshing," commented Robert Passikoff, of the outspoken artist. There is risk involved but desperate advertisers are willing to take that risk for engagement purposes. By Hillary Crosley.  (8/11/07)

As Cultural Icon, Elvis Has it All
"People tend to focus on the things and values and persona's that resonate best with them," Said Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys. That is why for every person, there is an Elvis persona. Click here to read more about the man that became not only larger than life, but rather, larger than death. By David Williams. (8/10/07)

Martha's Star is Rising and Across the Triangle, Brand will be Inescapable
Everything seems to bear the Martha Stewart seal of approval, is her presence in more than one market too much of a "good thing?" Click here to read Robert Passikoff's opinion on the Martha Stewart Brand. By Sue Stock.  (8/7/07)

"Graduation"day nears for Kanye West
Click here to read why Robert Passikoff believes working with "risky" artists is exactly why advertisers, ones desperate for engagement, are willing to take that risk. By Hilary Crosley for Reuters.  (8/6/07)

Can a bitter taste find sweet life again?
"Someone who has the moxie, the spunk, and the courage to go after the big brands can do it," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys, of Moxie's reappearance in the market. Will it succeed in running up against other soft drink brands? By Jenn Abelson of the Boston Globe.  (8/5/07)

Drinking Makes Such Fools of People
Is there such a thing as Luxury Water? Would you pay $90 for a bottle? Click here to read Robert Passikoff's blog in The Luxury Letter.  (8/1/07)

A Storied Union Takes on Starbucks
The Industrial Workers of the World is taking on the coffee giant and its much-praised workplace practices. Would you rather talk worker solidarity or a lattes? By Moira Herbst. (8/1/07)

Back-to-School Shoppers Studying Direct Channels
A survey conducted by Brand Keys shows considerable increases in the percent of consumers who plan to use catalog and online channels for their back-to-school shopping this year. Click here to read why. By Tim Parry.  (8/1/07)

Uncut Diamonds Gain Popularity
"There is a little magic in a stone that is 'untouched,' in it's natural state," commented Penny Waller an artist from California. Why are uncut stones gaining popularity? Read more here. By Ying Wu of The Wall Street Journal.  (7/30/07)

Making the Brand: Behind Closed Doors; Music Figures Heavily In Voyeuristic HBO Campaign.
"Sure an interactive campaign can be extraordinarily powerful, but what will it do for HBO's bottom line," wonders Robert Passikoff, of the new era where Interactive Marketing is becoming more high-concept- and more of a crucial piece in the promotion process. By: Michael Paoletta.  (7/28/07)

Harry Potter and the Magic Brand
Disagreeing with brand consultant Martin Lindstrom, "Harry Potter resonates with children, as well as adults," says Robert Passikoff in his July Chief Marketer column. Click here to read Robert's column. (7/24/07)

Money Bags-A Survey of Wealthy Shoppers Reveals Their Favorite High-End Handbag Brands
"The essence of luxury today, is to 'be even more luxurious.'" Click here to read more on this years top luxury handbags, and what makes them so "luxurious." By Cecily Hall of Women's Wear Daily. (7/23/07)

Branding Times
For brands looking to outperform the competition in the chase for young consumers, geographic boundaries are less relevant than they once were. However, in a few categories, origin still matters, comments Robert Passikoff. Click here to read which categories still count to the Brand Keys Customer Loyalty and Engagement Index. BY Marketing Trendz (7/23/07)

Is Your Brand the Best? What Polls Really Mean.
Is there any value in polls? Do poll results give you a sense of WHY? Robert Passikoff, Founder and President of Brand Keys Inc., agrees with Harris Interactive's "Best Brand" poll, in their annual study, the survey doesn't help a marketer answer the question of purchase intent. By Matthew Creamer of Advertising Age.  (7/23/07)

Pipeline
In the perception of mortgage products, Do polls really matter? According to Robert Passikoff, the founder and president of Brand Keys Inc., a New York based consulting firm, cautions against reading too much into the polls, because so few respondents actually belong in the poll group; in this case mortgages. By Kate Berry and Harry Terris.  (7/19/07)

The Smartest Movie Marketing Ploys
"It's becomes tougher to actually reach out and touch the people," says Robert Passikoff, of the movie industry's ploy to gain moviegoers attention, especially during the very crucial first weekend of release. By Rebecca Winters Keegan of Time Magazine.  (7/11/07)

Herbal Essence Snags 2007 ReBrand 100 Global Award
"Companies too often believe that 'If I repackage it, they will come," says Robert Passikoff. However, in the case of re-branding Herbal Essence this was not the case. By Kariene Lukovitz.  (7/11/07)

Liz Claiborne Boss Plots Comeback Bid
Liz Claiborne's "Power Brands" are starting to perform more like a Kia, suffering from slowing sales as well as sinking brand recognition. Click here to read how other brands fair in the Brand Keys Loyalty Index. By Suzanne Kapner of the New York Post (7/11/07)

Consumers Name (Favorite) Brands
"At this point, only a handful of brands have a place in the consumer's mind" said Robert Passikoff, Founder and President of Brand Keys Inc. Most Brands seem to represent one of two things, either upscale or downscale. Click here to read which brands are on the consumers mind. By Valerie Seckler of Women's Wear Daily (7/11/07)

Signs of the Times: Fading Ads Hint at the Future of Marketing
"Advertising is not the future of Makerting," pronounced Bob Garfield. If this is hard to believe, flip through the pages of Ben Passikoff's book "The Writing on the Wall." Also click here to read more of his, as well as Robert Passikoff's ideas on the use of Advertising. By Lenore Skenazy of Advertising Age.  (7/5/07)

IBACKLASH
Many iPhone buyers and AT&T customers are ready to throw in the towel due to "Shady AT&T service." Click here to read more of Holly M. Sanders IBACKLASH story. (7/3/07)

Women's Golf Clothes Work On and Off the Course
"Women are looking for broad-use clothing in all aspects of their wardrobe," says Robert Passikoff of the new trend in women's golf fashion that is changing the looks of the links. From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.  (7/3/07)

Life Imitates Bart: 7-11 now a Kwik-E-Mart
"They would have been better off doing a tie-in with Ratatouille," Said Robert Passikoff of the new 7-Eleven advertising push that turned 7-11 into a replica of "The Simpson's" Kwik-E-mart.By A.J.Miranda of the Denver Post.  (7/2/07)

Netflix Turns on Star Power in DVD rental War
"Borrowed Equity" is how Robert Passikoff, founder and president of Brand Keys Inc., described Netflix's efforts to team up their product with actors. Will using their celebrity help bolster their name? By Gina Keating.  (6/27/07)

Levi's Tops in Customer Loyalty
According a Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement index, Levi's is the most engaging jean band in the U.S. market. By Chain Store Age.  (6/22/07)

McDonald's Lets Mom Bloggers Into The Kitchen
McDonald's is creating a "Field of Dreams" theory approach to address the child obesity and food market issue. Robert Passikoff doubts its success. Click here to read why he thinks it will not succeed. By Karl Greenberg.  (6/21/07)

Apple Builds Hype for iPhone with Less
"These days you don't over-promise if you are going to under-deliver because consumers are just going to be totally unforgiving," said Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys Inc. Click here to read more of the Apple iPhone unveiling, from The New York Times.  (6/21/07)

Country-of-Origin Still Important in Luxury Categories
Click here to read more about what Brand Keys thinks of the importance of origin when buying luxury items. By Design and Detail Magazine. (6/15/07)

Macy's Margins
Macy's continues to spend millions of dollars to create a national brand through advertising and store renovations, however Macy's sales continue to lag. By Suzanne Kapner, New York Post.  (6/12/07)

Values, Experiences outweigh product attributes in driving loyalty and engagement
Robert Passikoff talks about the shift in drivers, of customer loyalty and engagement, having to do more with experience, service, and customer interaction. From BtoB Magazine.  (6/11/07)

Which Retailers Gain Most From Father's Day?
This year, Brand Keys conducted a consumer survey and found that 77% of fathers will be celebrating Fathers day, and that they will be spending an average of US$125 each! From the WiseMarketer.com (6/8/07)

Fathers Day Spending to increase
Fathers Day is expected to be a $9 billion dollar retail holiday this year. Robert Passikoff comments on a near 12 percent increase over last year and represents an enormous retailing opportunity for brands. From Display and Design Magazine.  (6/7/07)

Wal-Mart Lets Up On The Gas
The retailer scales back its U.S. expansion plans as it struggles to get profitable growth back on track. Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc. talks about the strength of the Wal-Mart brand. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek. (6/1/07)

Making A Difference
Companies need to do more to create solid brand identities and match consumer expectations. Robert Passikoff wonders "where is the consumer input and insight?" From the International Cosmetic News. (6/1/07)

Who Beefed Up and Who Pared Back in '06
When it comes to advertising, the biggest players are not spending like they used to. Robert Passikoff discusses this change with Maria Raab of American Banker. (5/31/07)

A Dollar Saved is a Customer Earned
KeyCorp's ads nudge consumers to designate a "Saveday" each week when they buy nothing, adding money they might have spent on coffee or music to their savings instead. By Bonnie McGeer, from American Banker. (5/31/07)

Drug Wars at the Big-Box Stores
Robert Passikoff discusses generic drugs in this BusinessWeek article. By Pallavi Gogoi. (5/24/07)

All Caught Up In Blue
Click here to read Valerie Seckler's article from Womens Wear Daily that discusses denim in the 2007 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index.  (5/24/07)

Making The Brand: Pepper Pop; Will Cartel's Bubble Burst?
To push through the piles of new releases and get noticed, an act might need a bit of assistance these days. You've got to make yourself stand out from the pack. But no one said that's always going to make for a smooth ride. By Michael Paoletta, from Billboard.  (5/19/07)

Buyer - And Seller - Beware
Robert Passikoff talks to Womens Wear Daily in this week's update on consumer attitudes and behavior based on ongoing research from Cotton Incorporated.  (5/17/07)

The Shlog
Robert Passikoff talks about the rise of the blog, and it's inevitable evolution, in his monthly column for the Chief Marketer. (5/15/07)

Why Engagement Is Becoming The New Differentiator
For the first time in a decade, customer loyalty and engagement expectations have levelled off in each of the 55 categories tracked in the annual Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. From the WiseMarketer.com (5/10/07)

An Engaging Shopping Experience
In this Womens Wear Daily article, Robert Passikoff discusses consumers in fashion. By Valerie Seckler. (5/9/07)

McDonald's Unveils Global 'Shrek' Movie Promotion
What effect will such a large scale movie promotion have on the brand image of McDonalds? By Kate Macarthur, from Advertising Age.  (5/8/07)

P&G Primes Its Pinpoint Marketing
Elva Lewis (P&G) pulls back the curtain to reveal how she plans to build 60 million relationships. By Matthew Creamer, from Advertising Age.  (5/7/07)

Falling Into The (Sales) Gap
Robert Passikoff discusses the continuing decline of sales at retail giant the Gap, in his article from Marketing Trendz.  (5/7/07)

Custom Kleenex
"I think it's fair to say that innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth." Click here to read the rest of Robert Passikoff's article from Marketing Trendz that discusses the new Kleenex packaging. (5/7/07)

The Key To California? Wal-Mart Said Eyeing Gottschalks
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. may have found a way finally to enter the Northern California market; buy the Gottschalks chain of department stores. Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc. talks to Women's Wear Daily about Wal-Mart and it's brand image. By Vicki M. Young (5/7/07)

The 'Rule of Six'
In this MediaPost article, Emily Burg examines Robert Passikoff's widely accepted 'Rule of 6' theory with regards to the loyalty bond between a customer and a brand.  (5/1/07)

Closing Arguments
As Brand Keys announces the results of their 2007 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, Kenneth Hein discusses their implications with Brand Keys President, Robert Passikoff. From Brandweek  (5/1/07)

Geico, NY Life Rank High in Brand Loyalty
This article from the Insurance Journal highlights the results from the Insurance Company category in this years Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. From the Insurance Journal. (5/1/07)

Brands Americans Embrace
Click here to see Robert Passikoff's opinions on American brands today, in light of the 2007 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index results. By Tom Van Riper, from Forbes. (4/30/07)

Honor Thy Mother
Click here to read about the results of a recent Brand Keys survey concerning consumer behavior this Mother's Day. From Retail Design Diva. (4/30/07)

Gap: Decline Of A Denim Dynasty
The inside story of how the Fisher family turned Gap into one of America's top retailers - then pulled the strings as it unraveled. Click here to see what President of Brand Keys, Robert Passikoff, has to say about the retailer's downfall. By Jennifer Reingold, from Fortune. (4/30/07)

Burger King Beating Up On Wendys?
According to Robert Passikoff, Wendy's is losing out to Burger King due to its lack of "catchy brand identity and new menu variety." From the Florida Sun Sentinel, by Jaclyn Giovis.  (4/29/07)

Rite Aid In, Eckerd Out
Robert Passikoff discusses the Rite Aid brand, in light of its recent expansion. By Sue Stock, from The News & Observer.  (4/28/07)

An 'Absolut World'
After 25 years of running the same ad campaign, the brand Absolut is changing advertising approaches - seeking to recapture lightning. In this New York Times article, Robert Passikoff discusses this decision. By Stuart Elliott. (4/27/07)

Mark Dolliver's Tales: Mixed Blessings
In a recent Brand Keys survey, it was found that men are planning on spending more than women this year on Mother's Day. By Mark Dolliver, from Adweek (4/23/07)

Here's What We Won't Do
Click here to read what Robert Passikoff, President & Founder of Brand Keys, Inc., has to say about one banking company's internal documentary film. By Matthias Rieker, from American Banker. (4/13/07)

The First One's Free
More companies give away food to hook customers, potentially for life. By Sue Stock, from The News & Observer. (4/13/07)

What Drives A Car Buyer To A Specific Brand?
When it comes to automobiles, a brand is bought based on the association it invokes in the buyer, according to branding expert Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc. From the Wise Marketer  (4/11/07)

The Fable of the Misinformed CMO
Click here to read Robert Passikoff's latest Chief Marketer column.  (4/10/07)

Amex Gets Specific And Asks, Are You A Cardmember?
American Express has decided there is no more life left in "My life. My card." Robert Passikoff discusses this decision in Stuart Elliott's article from the New York Times.  (4/6/07)

Why The Hype Just Keeps On Coming
For many in a rapidly growing line of foods, beverages, and cosmetics, that's the underlying message when it comes to selling medicinal or therapeutic benefits. But grandiose health claims may soon be facing more challenges. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek. (4/5/07)

Mars To Give Uncle Ben Ad Icon Greater Role
Robert Passikoff discusses Uncle Ben's recent promotion. By Stephanie Thompson, from Advertising Age. (3/30/07)

Starbucks Competition Heats Up
As Starbucks Corp. investors met in Seattle for the chain's highly anticipated annual shareholder's meeting, coffee drinkers around the country lined up on Wednesday for a cup of joe from one of the coffee giant's competitors. By Lauren Shepherd, from BusinessWeek.com (3/21/07)

Corporate Branding Oops
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., comments on some of the biggest marketing missteps over the past year. By Parija B. Kavilanz, from CNN Money. (3/19/07)

One Tough Customer
Despite growing by leaps and bounds to become a $90 million giant, and overall No. 2 retailer brand behind Wal-Mart, Home Depot is now in the awkward position of acknowledging it must put the focus back on the needs of its customer, not its shareholders. By Michael Applebaum, from Brandweek. (3/19/07)

Carriers Locked In Content Land Grab
Robert Passikoff states that "the impact that mobile content makes at this moment in time, and likely will for the next two years, is tiny." By Kenneth Hein, from Brandweek.  (3/12/07)

TrimSpa Prepares Post-Anna Nicole Smith Ad Campaign
Robert Passikoff comments on the TrimSpa brand image in the aftermath of Anna Nicole Smith's death. By Jack Neff, from Advertising Age.  (3/12/07)

Saturn Goes Back To Warm And Fuzzy
General Motors is borrowing a tradition from an unlikely source - the National Hockey League - to help recreate the warm and fuzzy feelings consumers had for its Saturn division more than a decade ago. By Stuart Elliott, from the New York Times. (3/9/07)

Geico's Cavemen Evolve
Geico stands to benefit from the possible cavemen TV show. "It could turn into a weekly, half-hour reminder about the brand." By Joshua Lipton, from Forbes. (3/6/07)

Geico Cavemen In Talks For Own TV Show
Can a sitcom based around the Geico caveman really work? Robert Passikoff believes that there are positive and negative elements to this idea. By Brooke Capps, from Advertising Age. (3/5/07)

Dunkin' Humbles Starbucks In Customer Loyalty
Dunkin' Donuts may be smaller than Starbucks, but it no longer plays second fiddle when it comes to customer loyalty. By Donna Goodison, from the Boston Herald. (3/5/07)

The Lot Of The Consultant: Explaining What You Do
For the growing number of independent consultants, going solo can offer greater flexibility, better compensation and more family time than would generally be possible in corporate America. By Hillary Chura, from the New York Times.  (3/4/07)

Give Me A Double Shot Of Starbucks Nostalgia
Robert Passikoff says that Starbucks has taken its eye off the brand. By Joe Nocera, from the New York Times. (3/3/07)

Trouble Brewing
Robert Passikoff talks to The Economist about the similarities between Pepsi and Starbucks - and the brand image problem they are currently sharing.  (3/1/07)

When Oscars' Glow Rubs Off On Ads
For advertisers at this years' Oscars, the big prize up for grabs was the potential to benefit from the telecast's aura of elegance and glamour - one that made 2 beauty brands the most likely winners, according to Brand Keys, a specialist in consumer loyalty and engagement. By Valerie Seckler, from Womens Wear Daily. (2/28/07)

Dunkin' Donuts Teams With P&G For Distribution Deal
Robert Passikoff, President & Found of Brand Keys, Inc., agrees that "it's true these days that America Runs On Dunkin'." This was said in light of Dunkin' Donuts' recent overtaking of Starbucks, in the Brand Keys annual Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (in the Coffee & Doughnuts category). (2/28/07)

Dunkin' Donuts Edges Starbucks
This Forbes article looks at the parallel that Brand Keys have noticed developing between Starbucks and Krispy Kreme. By Tom Van Riper (2/27/07)

P&G, Pringles Tap Into Power of 'Idol'
According to Robert Passikoff, "contests and interactive promotions are good ways to build interest with today's multimedia consumers." By Dan Sewell, from Associated Press. (2/27/07)

Pringle's will make its pitch with "American Idol"
Proctor&Gamble attempts to make Pringle's a bigger brand, will they be successful? Robert Passikoff believes that "contests and interactive promotions are a good way to build interest with todays multimedia consumers." By Associated Press.  (2/26/07)

Experts Handicap Yum Brands PR Fallout
What are the dynamics when a brand is faced with 2 public crises in rapid succession, exacerbated by the relatively new phenomenon of Internet video? Robert Passikoff discusses this problem, currently being faced by Yum Brands Inc., with regards to the Taco Bell and KFC scandals of late. By Karlene Lukovitz, from MediaPost. (2/26/07)

Starbucks Smells The Death Of Its Brand Experience
Robert Passikoff says that Starbucks have "taken their eye off the brand " - one of the possible reasons for their drop from first to second place (unseated by Dunkin' Donuts) in the 2007 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index. By Matthew Creamer, from Advertising Age. (2/26/07)

Survey: L'Oreal Will Top Academy ROI
Robert Passikoff discusses the key values of the L'Oreal brand that will earn them the highest ROI award on Oscar night. By Kamau High, from Adweek. (2/23/07)

Can JetBlue Keep Soaring?
Could the well publicized problems of the past week ground JetBlue? According to Robert Passikoff, "to fail so miserably affects the strength of the brand." By Tom Van Riper, from Forbes.  (2/21/07)

Genius May Have Its Limitations
In his monthly Chief Marketer column, Robert Passikoff discusses how innovation in the field of marketing can sometimes go wrong. (2/20/07)

Cashing In On Cupid
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., discusses the growth in recent years of Valentines Day. By Annalisa Burgos from CNBC. (2/14/07)

Citigroup To Be Known As Citi, Dumps Umbrella
According to Robert Passikoff, Citigroup "has had a schizophrenic image. It needs to bolster technology and customer service, and adopting a new brand gives it a foundation from which it can launch these values in a believable way. By Jonathan Stempel, from Reuters.  (2/13/07)

TrimSpa's Future In Doubt After Smith's Death
Robert Passikoff discusses the effect that Anna Nicole Smith's sudden death may have on TrimSpa, the brand. By Jessica Dickler, from CNN.  (2/8/07)

Barclay's Quietly Conquering America
Barclays recent plans to name an arena after themselves in Brooklyn is a sign of how important America is to the company's growth strategy. By Phil Wahba, from the New York Sun.  (2/6/07)

Mark Dolliver's Tales
In a recent Brand Keys study, it was found that men are planning to spend an average of $161 this Valentine's Day, whilst women are expected to spend $90. By Mark Dolliver, from Adweek. (2/5/07)

Building Your Special Brand Identity
Robert Passikoff discusses brand identity with Newsday. By Jamie Herzlich. (2/5/07)

P&G, Unilever Sit Out The Super Bowl
Robert Passikoff comments on Super Bowl 2007 advertising strategies. By Jack Neff, from Advertising Age. (1/29/07)

Qwest, Comcast Talk Trash In Ads
According to Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., "directly calling out a competitor by name in advertising is a good strategy because it eliminates vagueness and generalities for consumers. By Kimberly S. Johnson, from the Denver Post.  (1/25/07)

Will Coach Become Too Popular?
The stylish handbag maker had a blowout quarter. But rapid expansion may jeopardize its upscale image. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek. (1/24/07)

The New Four Ps
In his monthly column for the Chief Marketer, Robert Passikoff outlines the new four Ps: Promoting Predictive Promotion Planning. By Robert Passikoff (1/23/07)

NY Retailers Translate Success To Both Brick & Click Stores
Read this NY1 article to see how some New York CEOs have conquered the problem of translating success from their 'brick' stores to their 'click' stores. By Annalisa Pergament. (1/22/07)

Death Of The Rock Star CMO
Robert Passikoff comments on the demise of some Fortune 500 companies "marketing rock stars." By Matthew Creamer, from Advertising Age.  (1/22/07)

Super Bowl's Ad Clout Could Grow
The Super Bowl has long been considered the pre-eminent television event of the year, not just because millions of Americans tune in but because many of those viewers stay put specifically to watch the ads. According to Robert Passikoff, the high price tag isn't dissuading tradtional Super Bowl advertisers such as PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch. By Allison Linn, from MSNBC.  (1/18/07)

Wal-Mart's New-New Adman
After a difficult month that saw Wal-Mart sack a star marketing executive and fire the ad agency that exec had helped select, the retailer has decided who will handle its roughly $580 million annual advertising budget. By Burt Helm & Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek.  (1/16/07)

Wal-Mart Picks Interpublics Martin For Ad Account
Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, selected Interpublic Group of Co.'s Martin Agency to handle its $580 million US account, a month after firing DraftFCB. By Lauren Coleman-Lochner & Tim Mullaney.  (1/12/07)

Wal-Mart Targets Critics With New Image Ads
Image experts don't expect much from Wal-Mart's two new corporate image ads, which are now running on national TV. Although dealing with the defense of its employee benefits, Passikoff says that "unless you were somehow personally affected by Wal-Mart's labor policies, most people just don't care, at least not enough to leverage behavior." By Sarah Mahoney, from MediaPost. (1/9/07)

Idol Juggernaut Passes $2.5 Billion In Value; Keeps Expanding
Already vying for the title of the most lucrative multimedia property of all time, 'American Idol' is involved in a whirlwind of negotiations to further expand itself. Are you ready for 'Idol' chocolate bars, 'Idol' ice cream and 'Idol' Monopoly games? By Claire Atkinson, from Advertising Age. (1/8/07)

Disney.com Goes Social To Boost Brand Engagement
Less than a week before the scheduled launch of Disney's social network, analysts are wary of whether Mickey's club can achieve MySpace's success. But Robert Passikoff believes that Disney's online presence is on the rise, according to new data from Brand Keys, Inc. By Gavin O'Malley, from MediaPost. (1/4/07)

With Ad Deal, Insurer Wades Into Bridge Traffic
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is expected to announce an arrangement with Geico, the auto insurance giant, that will include the posting of a huge billboard on top of the toll plaza in Fort Lee, NJ, that says Geico Drive Safely. Robert Passikoff discusses this marketing strategy in this New York Times article. By Ken Belson.  (1/4/07)

Marketer of the Year: Apple Computer
Click here to read why Robert Passikoff believes that the current Mac campaign is a clear example of Apples marketing intelligence. The ads are believable and entertaining, and they leave you feeling better about the brand, says the President of Brand Keys, Inc. By, Karlene Kukovitz from Media Post.  (1/2/07)

When Toys Fail to Tickle Kids, Its No Laughing Matter
Despite the super selling powers of TMX Elmo during the Christmas period, the toy industry is still experiencing declining sales. According to Robert Passikoff, the difficulty is that toy manufacturers have generally been pretty remiss in doing any real testing of the things, they throw toys in a room with kids and watch them, but they have been pretty abysmal in terms of monitoring trends and, as a result, there is this kind of field of dreams mentality of If we build it they will buy it. By Nedra Rhone, from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  (12/30/06)

Retail Results Signal Tough Times Ahead
Despite big discounts, pressured shoppers cut back on spending during the holidays, and the New Year may not be much better. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek.  (12/26/06)

Wal-Mart Mucks Up Holiday Message
It seems like there is more trouble for Wal Mart as the Sams Club stores Head of Marketing, Mark Goodman, has left after only 14 months on the job. According to Robert Passikoff, there is an overlay of schizophrenia in terms of branding and marketing at the company. By Holly M. Sanders from the New York Post.  (12/26/06)

Self-Interest Is The Anesthetic
Robert Passikoff talks about the "cruel realities of marketing to the 'bionic' consumer in a multi-touch-point, 21st Century marketplace." By Robert Passikoff, from the Chief Marketer. (12/19/06)

Gap Ads Spur Customer Interest, But What Of Sales?
Gap's new hip-hop-infused TV ad has captured a lot of attention from the young crowd the struggling retailer hopes to attract to reverse its fortunes. By Chelsea Emery and Paul Thomasch, from The Washington Post.  (12/17/06)

Static Ahead For Electronics Retailers
Electronics retailers face trouble in the year ahead because of the recent trend for electronics price wars. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek.  (12/13/06)

Pomegranate Sows Seeds Of Popularity
Robert Passikoff talks to the Boston Globe about the ever-growing popularity of pomegranate juice. By Jenn Abelson. (12/10/06)

How Hot Is Celebrity Fever?
Robert Passikoff discusses the effects on brands in today's celebrity-obsessed culture. By Valerie Seckler from Women's Wear Daily. (12/7/06)

Taco Bell E.coli Outbreak Will Sicken Brand
As a result of its loyalty ranking in the 2006 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index, "what was bad to begin with is being made even worse by the E.coli outbreak." By Kenneth Hein, from Brandweek.  (12/5/06)

More Than A Little Family Rivalry
Robert Passikoff discusses Nickelodeon's brand expansion into hotels, making them one of Disney's biggest threats. By Christopher Boyd from the Orlando Sentinel. (12/3/06)

Elway's Appeal Declines
Robert Passikoff tells the Miami Herald that celebrity endorsements are not as effective as they were in years past.  (12/3/06)

Passikoff's Priorities
As marketers and advertisers work together to develop more precise definitions and metrics, engagement will maintain its emphasis as a top priority in 2007, predicts Robert Passikoff, President & Founder of Brand Keys, Inc. By Emily Burg from MediaPost. (12/1/06)

Seven Key Brand Marketing Trends For 2007
In his monthly Wise Marketer column, Robert Passikoff lays out the main trends for 2007 that will affect loyalty marketers and brand marketers alike.  (12/1/06)

Consumers Design Products Their Way
"Retailers are adapting to the atomization of the buying pubic by giving people more opportunities to design the goods they buy." Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., discusses mass atomization with the Providence Journal. By Paul Grimaldi. (11/25/06)

Polishing The Good Housekeeping Seal
"Good Housekeeping" is undergoing a broad-based effort to overhaul the image of its century-old brand. By Katharine Q. Seelye from the New York Times. (11/20/06)

Calmly Step Away From The Register
According to Robert Passikoff, "more people are giving more things to more people than ever." Does America need to start showing some self-restraint? From the New York Daily News. (11/20/06)

Wal-Mart: Back To Basics For The Holidays
This year, Wal-Mart has tried to appeal to more upscale shoppers with more high-end products. According to Robert Passikoff, "altering Wal-Mart's image is like turning the Queen Mary around." By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek. (11/16/06)

Celebrity Scents Overflow At US Stores
2006 is shaping up as a record year for celebrity scents. Robert Passikoff discusses how a celebrity's image can effect the brand they represent. By Rachelle Younglai, from Reuters. (11/15/06)

Tyco Name To Survive Company's Break-Up
The scandal-tainted Tyco name will survive the company's planned break-up, following the decision by Tyco Electronics, one of US conglomerate's 3 main units, to retain the brand despite its association with recent corporate excesses. By Francesco Guerrera and Christopher Bowe, from MSNBC. (11/15/06)

The Mets' New Marquee Name
Sports marketing, corporate identity and brand building experts, including Robert Passikoff, offer their opinion of the value of the huge deal that will name the new ballpark of the New York Mets for Citigroup. By Stuart Elliott, from the New York Times. (11/14/06)

7 Brands And Marketing Trends for 2007
In his monthly Chief Marketer column, Robert Passikoff details trends for the upcoming year.  (11/14/06)

Chic Apparel to Accompany Cycle's Return
Can the Indian motorcycle brand make a comeback? Robert Passikoff of Brand Keys predicts Indian will benefit from being "typically American, and a little bit different. It's not a suzuki or a Harley" he said. Click here to read more of the future of the Indian motorcycle brand. BY Melissa Allison and Amy Martinez of The Seattle Times.  (10/26/06)

Disney Ditches Unhealthy Licensing Deals
In light of Disney's recent announcement, Robert Passikoff agrees that "brands need to be more careful about where they put their mark and who they are associated with." From the Advertising Specialty Institute.  (10/25/06)

Brand Loyalty Study Shows There's No Place Like Home
Click here to read Kenneth Hein's article from Brandweek about the 2006 Brand Keys Loyalty Leaders List.  (10/23/06)

Tigers Gear A Hit
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., comments on building sports fan loyalty. From the Monroe News. (10/20/06)

Swords, Bandannas Are Hot For Halloween
This year, Brand Keys predicts that Halloween sales will approach $5 billion, making this the 6th largest spending holiday. By Samantha Critchell, from the Detroit Free Press. (10/18/06)

AT&T Brand Will Dominate After BellSouth Merger
Robert Passikoff and Jack Trout comment on the effects of the AT&T/BellSouth merger - and what it means for Cingular. By Emily Burg, from Marketing Daily. (10/18/06)

Perrier Plays With Its Venerable Brand To Draw Younger Fans
Robert Passikoff discusses Perrier's new approach to engaging consumers: a humorous campaign that transforms the Perrier name into words that end in "-ier." By Stuart Elliott, from the New York Times. (10/17/06)

Consumer-Generated Content: Let Yourself Go
In his monthly column for the Chief Marketer, Robert Passikoff asserts that "just because it's 'consumer-generated,' doesn't mean it's good!"  (10/17/06)

Bob Dylan Tops Music Chart Again
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., comments on Bob Dylan's appearance in an Apple commercial. By Matthew Creamer, from Advertising Age.  (10/8/06)

Can Bunnies Get Playboy Hopping Again?
Robert Passikoff comments on the Playboy brand - in light of its imminent partnership with Palms Casino Resort and nightspot chain N9NE Group. Will its "all-American, good, clean fun - including sex" image mean something for the aspirational young bachelor set? By Moira Herbst, from BusinessWeek  (10/5/06)

Treading The Fine Line Between Horsemen Logos
With the launch of a misses denim collection this November, the United States Polo Association's brand name and logo will strike a higher profile with shoppers, who may have seen the group's active double-horsemen symbols recently on some men's and junior items, like polo shirts and fleeces. By Valerie Seckler, from Womens Wear Daily. (10/4/06)

HP Stock Falters In Spying Scandal
As a result of its recent press leak, HP has started to pay the price - with drops in stock prices and questions about the future of its leadership. By Yuki Noguchi and Brooke A. Masters, from the Washington Post. (9/22/06)

Ask And Ye Shall Receive
Robert Passikoff talks about the advantages of using coupons to engage consumers with your brand. By Sue Stock, from the News & Observer. (9/10/06)

Federated Hopes to Convince Customers about Macy's Change
In the light of Federated's name change to Macy's, Robert Passikoff says that "people are used to what they had in the past and it takes time to adapt, but ultimately they do." By David Carpenter, from the Associated Press. (9/7/06)

Federated Launches Promotional Campaign
Federated Department Stores Inc., the nation's biggest department store retailer, on Wednesday unveiled a large promotional campaign to relaunch the Macy's brand nationwide. By Lisa Cornwell, from the Associated Press. (9/6/06)

U.S? Ugh. Bush? Ugh. But Our Kids Clothes? Mideast Loves 'Em.
Despite the war, Tween Brands, Inc., a Columbus retailer, is selling American styles to girls in Osama bin Laden's hometown. But according to branding expert Robert Passikoff, "they don't have to love you to buy something." By Jeffrey Sheban, from the Columbus Dispatch. (8/27/06)

American Eagle Has A New Niche On Its Mind
Robert Passikoff comments on the new image of the American Eagle Outfitters store. By Teresa F. Lindeman, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (8/24/06)

Goodbye Washington Mutual, Hello WaMu
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., says that "it's more engaging to say WaMu than Washington Mutual," with regards to the Seattle-based banks new name shift. By Jonathan Stempel, from Reuters. (8/17/06)

An Impressionable Age
Brand Keys is forecasting a 15% increase in back-to-school apparel sales this year. By Ruth La Ferla, from the New York Times. (8/10/06)

Listerine Touts Aggressive Health Claims
Robert Passikoff discusses the emerging advertising style that shows mouthwash makers being more aggressive and suggesting that scientifically, a healthy mouth may lead to a healthy body. By Jessica Wohl, from Reuters. (8/9/06)

BTS Selling Seen Strong
According to a recent Brand Keys survey, American households have big plans for back-to-school purchases, with apparel trailing only computers in planned increases. By Arnold J. Karr, from Market Place News. (7/27/06)

Lampert Hacks Away At Sears Brands
According to President of Brand Keys Robert Passikoff, Sears brands resonate more with customers than with the store overall. By Shruti Date Singh, from Crains Chicago Business. (7/24/06)

Too Good For Lowe's & Home Depot?
Why would a manufacturer run ads telling potential customers where its products aren't sold? Read this Wall Street Journal article to find out what Robert Passikoff's thoughts are on this tactic! By Timothy Aeppel. (7/24/06)

Storied Rides To Rise On Tobacco Road
Robert Passikoff discusses some of the difficulties that Stellican Ltd. may face as it tries to "rebuild" the brands Indian motorcyles and Chris-Craft boats. By Sue Stock, from the New Observer. (7/21/06)

The Invisible Customers
Designer businesses seem to be going through a shift in priorities, as many more high-end shoppers seem to be doing their shopping from home and work. By Meredith Goldstein, from the Boston Globe. (7/20/06)

Gap Returns To TV Advertising
The Gap returns to TV advertising after a nearly one-year hiatus with a campaign focused entirely on jeans. By Mya Frazier, from Advertising Age. (7/17/06)

Managing Marketing Past Lives
In Robert Passikoff's monthly Chief Marketer column, he discusses changing trends and marketing past lives. (7/11/06)

Mattel's Barbie Trouble
Robert Passikoff attributes the fact that "Barbie is never going to be the profitable doll that she once was," to a dramatically changing marketplace for toys. By Pallavi Gogoi, from BusinessWeek. (7/8/06)

A Gray Market In Furniture Spawns A Feud In Europe
Luxury furniture makers and their affiliated sellers are taking aim at Europe by "Net," an Internet company based in London. By Bob Tedeschi, from the New York Times. (7/3/06)

J. Crew Weighs Anchor
On their first day of trading, shares of J. Crew rose 28%. According to Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, J. Crew have "really moved up significantly in the last 3 years, mostly on the merchandise mix and the sense of value in the product line." By Tom Van Riper, from Forbes magazine. (6/29/06)

Consumers Demand More - For Less
Apparel brands are losing traction on the slippery slope of customer loyalty as consumers grow ever more demanding. By Valerie Seckler, from Womens Wear Daily. (6/21/06)

New Look Is Scoop For Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins unveils its new look for the summer. Will it succeed in further engaging its customers? Robert Passikoff discusses this in the article from Newsday. By Keiko Morris.  (6/18/06)

Psst...Apple Is Coming
Robert Passikoff discusses Apple's secrecy reputation when it comes to Apple opening up new stores. By Sue Stock from The News & Observer. (6/17/06)

Wal-Mart's Luxury Problem
Robert Passikoff says that the perception of Wal-Mart as a brand might erode over time if people read more about such cases where it improperly stocked products in its stores. By Pallavi Gogoi from BusinessWeek magazine. (6/16/06)

Myths Of Magazine Engagement
View Robert Passikoff's monthly Chief Marketer column here, and see why "engagement has begun to resemble a Holy Grail of magazine metrics." By Robert Passikoff. (6/14/06)

Future Of New Brands' Popularity Is In The Stars
Known as "celebrity seeding," the practice of sending freebies to celebrities can result in countless dead ends. But when it works, the publicity payoff can be huge. By Kristi Arellano and Julie Dunn, from the Denver Post. (6/14/06)

Brooks Brothers Adopts New Laid-Back Attitude
Robert Passikoff comments on Brooks Brother's new clothing range - which includes blue jeans and lower prices! By Carolyn Shapiro, from The Virginian-Pilot. (6/13/06)

Labels Hope Wal-Mart Lifts Ban On Explicit CDs
Wal-Mart could soon end its ban of music titles that carry parental advisory stickers, according to major-label sources. Robert Passikoff believes that Wal-Mart "must be open to change," or "they'll become the old, stodgy, conservative, right-wing store that sells cheap stuff." By Todd Martens & Ed Christman, from Reuters. (6/8/06)

Ma Bell's Coming Back
Just how valuable is the AT&T brand name? Robert Passikoff gives his opinion in this article from Forbes magazine. By Tom Van Riper. (6/6/06)

Home Furnishings: Ikea Campers
Robert Passikoff talks to the Detroit Free Press about the phenomenon of Swedish furniture giant, Ikea. By Greta Guest. (6/6/06)

The Buzz of Magazine Land Now Has A Name
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, discusses the importance a magazine name has on its success. From the New York Times. (6/5/06)

AARP Tunes In To Music As Promotional Tool
With regards to the AARP's decision to turn to music to increase their membership, Robert Passikoff believes that "music as a platform, is a smart way to go." By Michael Paoletta, from Reuters. (6/3/06)

Customer Loyalty Expectations Increase
This article from the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) highlights the results of this year's Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index, and tries to address some of the problems faced by brands today.  (5/31/06)

Father's Day: An $8 Billion Retail Holiday
Read this article from About Retail to see the results of a recent Brand Keys survey on how much money the average american will spend on their father, this June 18th.  (5/31/06)

Citigroup to Open Boston, Philadelphia Branches
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., discusses Citigroup's latest plan to add as many as 100 retail banking offices in 2006. By Jonathan Stempel, from Reuters. (5/26/06)

Clean Sweep
Robert Passikoff discusses some engagement issues that P&G's brand Ivory seems to be having. By Lisa Biank Fasig, from the Cincinnati Business Courier. (5/22/06)

Customer Loyalty Index: Broken Promises
The results of this year's survey, conducted by New York market research firm Brand Keys, indicates that the gap between what companies pledge and what customers want is growing wider.  (5/22/06)

Boston Scientific Aims to End Guidant Brand
According to Robert Passikoff, "when there is already a negative image established, you want to migrate away from that and toward a brand that was known and trusted." By Stephen Heuser, from the Boston Globe. (5/18/06)

Some Ads Sing Louder Than The Brands
A fashion brand may capture a consumer's eye with a clever ad, but how much farther will it get? By Valerie Seckler, from Women's Wear Daily. (5/17/06)

Mickey D's McMakeover
Robert Passikoff comments on the multi-million dollar makeover that McDonald's is preparing for. By Pallavi Gogoi, from Business Week. (5/15/06)

NBC's Telemundo Teams With Yahoo To Reach Hispanics
Robert Passikoff, President of Brand Keys, Inc., discusses the impact of the Web's growing number of Hispanic users - and how this is being capitalized on. By Gavin O'Malley, from Media Post Publications. (5/11/06)

Running On Star Power
These days, celebs go much further than mere product endorsement. The smartest ones score big by branding themselves. By Pallavi Gogoi, from Business Week. (5/8/06)

'United 93' Puts Airline Back In A Hard Place
This Chicago Tribune article looks at the effect that the recent movie 'United 93' is having on the brand strength of United Airlines. By Mark Skertic. (4/26/06)

A Battered Brand Reborn
As a result of lagging brand loyalty ratings, AT&T have begun a billion dollar ad blitz that ranks as the biggest in the brand's history. But will it be enough? By Tim Doyle, from Forbes. (4/24/06)

Column: Fan Loyalty Stretches Only So Far
Robert Passikoff discusses sports loyalty in the 21st Century. By Tim Dahlberg, from Associated Press. (4/20/06)

Wal-Mart Demotes Price-Slashing 'Smiley' In New Ads
How will Wal-Mart do without its 'Smiley'? Robert Passikoff gives his opinion in this article from the Wall Street Journal by Kris Hudson. (4/18/06)

Research: Moto Target Most 'Engaging'
According to a recent Brand Keys study, Motorola has the most engaging advertising. By Kenneth Hein, from Brandweek. (4/17/06)

Dunkin' Donuts Cheap Chic
The Dunkin' Donuts chain aims to cash in on America's taste for both coffee and low prices. By Pallavi Gogoi, from Business Week. (4/11/06)

Big-Name Brands In Hall Of Shame
Read this article to see who Robert Passikoff thinks has made marketing "bloopers" and who has been getting it right. By Parija Bhatnagar, from CNN Money  (3/30/06)

8 Rules For Predictive Engagement Metrics
In his monthly column for the Wise Marketer, Robert Passikoff lays out 8 rules for engaging consumers. (3/27/06)

Foundation In Place For Stewart Homes
With this new house designing Martha Stewart venture underway, Robert Passikoff expresses his opinion on their future. By Leigh Dyer, from the Charlotte Observer. (3/24/06)

If You Can't Change Your Fate, Change Your Attitude
In the 2006 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index, we’ve noticed that most of the category drivers in the 35 categories tracked since 1997 have changed since last year. Do you know what drives engagement and loyalty for the categories in which your brand competes? Click here to read more from Robert Passikoff's monthly Chief Marketer column.  (3/14/06)

Under Fire, Wal-Mart Prepares Schmooze Fest
Is Wal-Mart too focused on its image-boosting offensive, as opposed to its business? Robert Passikoff says they've taken a hit with their customer engagement. By Parija Bhatnagar, from CNNMoney.com (3/9/06)

New AT&T Deal Puts Big Spenders Under One Roof
Is this a return for AT&T? Click here to see what Robert Passikoff has to say about AT&T's imminent takeover of BellSouth Corporation. By Stuart Elliott, from the New York Times. (3/7/06)

John Elway: Recliner Pitchman
Can Super Bowl champion John Elway expand his empire to a furniture line as well? Robert Passikoff talks to Kristi Arellano at the Denver Post on this subject. (3/6/06)

The King's Legacy, All Shook Up
With the possiblity of Graceland being closed and turned into a family resort, one has to wonder how strong Elvis's brand still is. Robert Passikoff believes it is "still potent." By Julie Boswell, from the New York Times, and also appearing in the International Herald Tribune. (3/5/06)

Brand New Day
According to Robert Passikoff, "with 30 second spots costing an average of $1.7 million, you've got to figure that advertisers are expecting some sense of return on a pretty big investment," with reference to the recent Oscars broadcast. By David Kiley, from Business Week Online.  (2/28/06)

Wal-Mart Marketing Wants Smile With Style
Next month, Brand Keys annual Customer Loyalty Index will show Wal-Mart at No.2 behind Target for the 2nd consecutive year. Robert Passikoff says that "Target means style at accessible prices, Wal-Mart marketing is trying smile with style by a new Ad campaign, but there is still more work to do." From Times Union Online. (2/26/06)

Federated Puts All Its Eggs Into Macy's Basket
Federated Department Stores Inc., wants to maximize the potential of Macy's name by making it into a national brand. Robert Passikoff says that "one trap to avoid is assuming that a single brand becomes the silver bullet for understanding all of your consumer values." From Associated Press (2/25/06)

Macy's Could Join Land Of Nike, Coke, Betty Crocker.
In this article, the President of Brand Keys, Inc., Robert Passikoff, discusses Macys and he affirms that placing it as a nat