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Author, author! Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is now a smash hit musical in London. It is of course better known as the classic movie of the same wonderful name. But Chitty Chitty Bang Bang began as a novel, published in 1964. The author was one of the most famous of the day, having more than twenty books turned into major motion pictures between 1962 and 2002.
Do you know who wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Here is a clue: The lead female character’s name, Truly Scrumptious, is a dead giveaway. Still not ringing a bell? Here is the author’s most famous character.
The naming convention recently announced by Intel for its new processors is similar to that of carmaker BMW, which is acknowledged by Intel. In fact, it is reported that Intel discussed its plans with BMW before adopting the new naming by numbers, “with an eye to respecting another company’s intellectual property.”
But BMW is not the only automobile manufacturer that uses “numerology” to brand its marques. Perhaps no automotive brand has a more established tradition of using a numerical sequence to distinguish its models than does Peugeot. As far back as 1929, the French carmaker began this regimen with the introduction of the Peugeot 201 at the Paris Auto Show. Since then, they’ve brought these memorable cars to market: 201, 301, 401, 601, 302, 402, 202, 203, 403, 404, 204, 504, 304, 104, 604, 305, 505, 205, 309, 405, 905, 605, 106, 306, 206, 406, 806, 607, 307, 807, and the 407. As might be evident to those trained in branding by numbers, all of these models have the distinctive 0 strategically placed in the center of the model number. Some consider it a “signature” of the famous brand.
The 3-digit identity is an essential component of Peugeot’s brand identity. Conveying a very positive image for the company, the system evokes quality, technology and performance. Approved by customers around the world, this numbering system operates as a sign of recognition and makes it easy to differentiate between models in the range: a central zero with a number on either side. It has not changed since the launch of the 201, and provides three items of information about the model concerned:
The first number indicates the family to which the vehicle belongs, its size in the range. The second digit — always 0 — is the link between the number denoting membership of a particular family and that denoting a particular generation. The third figure indicates the generation of the model.
Logical, yes; memorable, no. To naming and branding mavericks, it might seem that the Peugeot brand is stuck in some sort of rut. But that’s hardly the case. Recently, Peugeot announced some exciting changes in the brand’s traditional naming system.
[I]n response to market fragmentation and the consequent need for a wider range of products, each with strong distinguishing features, Peugeot has decided to expand its naming system by doubling the central 0.
The inauguration of this four-digit naming system coincides with this year’s launch by Peugeot of a new, original and innovative model that will be positioned as an extension of its existing range.
Have you seen the 2004 2004?
Originally posted by Abnu on our sister site, Wordlab.
Rising Sun: One of our naming experts at Igor discusses the naming of laws in a new article in the New York Sun.
UnLinspired: The story that refuses to die, Lindows, is back again, as the company announces its new name, at least for the European market. After an exhaustive global search, the company has finally found a name even worse than Lindows: Linspire. Seriously. We don’t make this stuff up (we’re not that cynical).
Lindows CEO Michael Robertson has even done the traditional name release CEO song and dance routine to explain the new name (note to the world: great names NEVER need to be explained, only bad names do):
Today we’re announcing our new name - Linspire. The new name incorporates the notched L we are known for, ‘Lin’ from Linux and ’spire’ which means pinnacle. More important than what people think of the new name initially, is what they come to think of it over time. Few people who hear “Motorola” think of radios for motor cars, but that’s the heritage of their name. Motorola’s products and services now convey much different meaning to consumers. Lindows will face the same challenge with our new name. Most computer users have never experienced Lindows, so we have a chance to make that all-important first impression. We will work hard to make sure Linspire comes to stand for affordability and choice as well as ease of use.
Sadly, explaining the obvious, in name and deed, is a cardinal sin of branding (which is why I feel so guilty about doing it now. Sorry). Lindows, by adopting the name Linspire, wants you to believe that they are inspired, or that you’ll be inspired by their product, but if that were true they wouldn’t have to tell you about it, let alone wax rhapsodic about pinnacles or beat you over the head with that Linux connection, just like we’ve been beating you over the head with this story. At least we can pledge, “enough already,” and wash our hands of it. It will likely be the marketplace that will eventually force Linspire to the same conclusion.
Cola wars have spilled over into bottled water brands, as Coca-Cola’s Dasani vies with Pepsi’s Aquafina, and an endless stream of fresh water brands tries to tap into the healthy market established by Nestle’s Perrier and Danone’s Evian.
Following the recent Dasani debacle, Maclean’s magazine looks at the science and selling points of some of the most innovative and outlandish new super-waters in a recent article, which notes that “marketing experts have long recognized that, given the right combination of buzzwords and ingenuity, drinking water could transcend its humdrum destiny as a tasteless, colourless, life-sustaining liquid.” This fascinating article compares the brand promises of EVAMOR, WATER JOE, OXY-WATER, GLACEAU SMARTWATER, and KABBALAH MOUNTAIN SPRING WATER. Refreshing news for those who have sworn off Dasani, and have the extra cash to spend on branded water with more to offer.
According to the National Association of Convenience Stores news article about a Wall Street Journal report:
Pepsi and Coca-Cola are taking different approaches to formulating their flagship bottled water brands. Coke adds back a mineral mix to its Dasani purified water, while Pepsi’s Aquafina is exhaustively filtered with nothing added.
The companies have taken different marketing tacks as well. Coca-Cola has promoted Dasani as it does its sodas, as part of a lifestyle. To try to connect the brand with health, vending machines have been set up in health clubs, and the companies hired specialists in stress relief, fitness, and diet to offer online “wellness chats.”
Pepsi has separated its Aquafina brand from its soft drink brands, focusing on its purity with a slogan: “So pure, we promise nothing.”
Is that a promise?
Originally posted by Abnu on our sister site, Wordlab.
OK, we’ve said it before, but it looks like we’ll have to say it one more time. When Lindows first came out as a Linux OS competitor to Microsoft Windows, we thought the name so weak and fraught with potential MS litigation that we contacted the company and offered to rename them. For free. As a public service. Lindows declined.
A few weeks ago we posted here that, sure enough, Lindows was in legal trouble because of the similarity of its name to Windows. Now Lindows has announced that they are being forced to change their name thanks to big, bad Microsoft. It shouldn’t have come as such a shock (hey, we tried to help them two years ago).
If you want to get in on the action, the company has a forum thread where you can post your own ideas for renaming Lindows. But you better act fast: Lindows will be announcing the new name on its Home page on April 14.
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