Category: Branding (Page 1 of 2)

      Trump’s tariffs create headaches for U.S. spirits industry

      December 29, 2025 /

      Jim Beam bottle of whiskey next to cocktails on bar

      Donald Trump has created a mess with his tariffs, and we’re starting to see evicence across various industries.

      The spirits industry in the U.S. is facing all sorts of challenges. Young people are drinking much less alcohol. The post-Covid booze boom has subsided. And there’s a ton of supply. One executive in the beer business told me this is the worst year of his 35-year career.

      The recent news from Jim Beam has certainly rattled people. The company is pausing production of its flagship bourbon product for all of 2026! That’s a real punch in the gut.

      The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board doesn’t mince words as they place blame squarely and Trump an dhis tariffs. Even as some tariffs are lifted, the damage has been done. Canadians hate him and gleefully avoid American products. So it’s much more than a simple cost issue. It’s a destruction of the American brand. It will be interesting to see how this starts to manifest in other industries.

      Branding, Economy, General Business, Trade

      Brands grapple with how to use generative AI in ads and in branding

      November 1, 2025 /

      You probably saw this amazing ad created by PJ Ace for Kalshi during the NBA Finals. It was a massive success for the Kalshi brand and generated a ton of buzz.

      And it was created completely by AI.

      For small companies and less well-known brands, generative AI offers an amazing tool if used propoerly with the assistance of creatives like PJ Ace, who has built an ad agancy that makes AI commercials for clients.

      Continue reading »

      Advertising, Branding, Marketing, Small Business, Technology

      Problems for Trump hotels?

      October 13, 2016 /

      This story about reduced prices for rooms at the new Trump hotel in Washington, D.C. seem to confirm suspicions from Mark Cuban and other that the Trump brand is becoming toxic.

      Last weekend bankers and dignitaries from around the world descended on Washington for the annual World Bank–IMF meetings. But just a few days before, the conference rooms were not only still available at Trump International, they were heavily discounted. On October 2, a deluxe room, with a rack rate of $805, could be had for as low $445 a night on Hotels.com. All other five-star D.C. downtown hotels were sold out. By Wednesday, October 5, weekend stays in the deluxe rooms were marked down to $404 per night on Trump International’s own website. The more luxurious 500-square-foot executive rooms, with a city view and marble bath, were only $484. By comparison, at the Waldorf-Astoria in Georgetown, the only available rooms were $1,139 per night, according to Hotels.com.

      Mark Cuban predicted this, and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues after the election.

      Branding, General Business

      Is Donald Trump destroying his brand?

      October 2, 2016 /

      Donald Trump 1

      Would you stay at a Donald Trump property? Would you buy a condo with the Trump name on it? If you’re reading a blog like this, you’re probably one of the millions of people repulsed by Donald Trump’s disgraceful campaign for the presidency. You have to think that this will have an effect on his business model which revolves around the power of the Trump name.

      We asked this same question five years ago during the Donald’s birther mania, but even that racist attack didn’t hurt his brand. But now with his presidential campaign and repeated racist and offensive statements, it’s hard to imagine he’ll avoid a permanent smear on his reputation.

      Mark Cuban has emerged as one of Trump’s most effective critics, as many Americans respect Cuban’s business acumen, so his attacks on Trump tend to stick. Cuban has predicted that Trump will go personally bankrupt withing seven years of the election if he loses as a result of doing so much damage to his brand.

      I have no idea if Trump and his children will ever go bankrupt, but I do know that I would never again stay at a Trump property. I’ve spoken to many professionals and business executives who feels the same way. Trump’s legions of supporters don’t fit the demographic of his business clientele, so Cuban may be right and this could be a real problem for Trump. One can only hope . . .

      Branding, General Business

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