Blackberry Kayak
Why Metaphors Make Great Company Brand Names
If a picture is truly worth one thousand words, then what better way to convey your corporate brand than with a metaphor? The hyperinflation of news and information requires branding strategies that disrupt, “stick,” and convey more than the literal product or service a company offers. A great example of this type of name is the relatively new travel site named Kayak.
First off, the name is unexpected. It gives the listener reason to pause and ask for more. There is an element of intrigue in metaphorical names. Kayak? What type of company is that? And here’s where it gets good… the follow up answer fits the name — an on line travel booking site that can move you along, help things flow, streamline your travel plans, get you on your way, keep things afloat, stay above water, etc. etc. This type of naming strategy provides more than a mere moniker, it provides an entire marketing lexicon to build upon.
The same holds true for great brand names such as Amazon, an endless source of diverse products, and Monster, a huge job site with large numbers of listings. Jaguar highlights the luxury car’s speed, responsiveness and agility. And when I open my hand, there sits a Blackberry, (which says a mouthful), John Deere, a legacy name, plays off the animal vs. the surname (“Nothing runs like a Deere”). In our own case, Tungsten highlights our commitment to branding brilliance.
David Ogilvy, the father of modern advertising, said that the best ideas have “legs,” or continual staying power. Metaphors can provide that type of long haul brand endurance. Looking at the definition of metaphor explains why…
Metaphor: “A figure of speech that expresses an idea through the image of another object. Metaphors suggest the essence of the first object by identifying it with certain qualities of the second object.”
Imagine having your generic, or incoherent, acronym-ladened company name distilled to one simple word — a word that expressed an entire idea. Kayak, the travel site, works much better than Expedia, which has to be explained (express? expedite? pedestrian? encyclopedia?) or worse yet, heavily advertised.
If you are considering naming a company, then take a look at metaphors. If you can pick a good one, you just might have “the Midas touch.
About the Author
Phillip Davis is president and founder of Tungsten Branding, company naming consultants located near Asheville, NC. Phil and his team have assisted over 200 regional, national and international corporations with business and product branding strategies. To view his company naming portfolio, visit http://www.PureTungsten.com
|
|
Waterproof Dry Bag Kayak Canoe Floating for Blackberry $2.95 |
|
|
Etón American Red Cross CLIPRAY ARCCR100R_SNG USB Cell Phone Charger with Hand Crank LED Flashlight (Red) $13.49 Hand crank flashlight with USB cell phone chargerand carabiner clip, excellent for emergencies and outdoors… |
|
|
Waterproof Case for Phones, Digital Camera, GPS & Other Small Devices – IPX8 Certified to 100 Feet $13.69 This waterproof case is IPX8 Certified to 100 feet (30m). With 2 secure snaps at the top, your device will be secure all day whether you are swimming, relaxing on the beach, boating, or drinking near water. The case has 2 clear sides so you can still use the picture taking & video recording capabilities of your phone without worrying about potential damage. A neck lanyard is included. Sealed R… |
|
|
Waterproof Case for Apple iPhone 4, 4S – Also Works with iPod Touch, iPhone 3G, 3GS, & Other Smartphones – IPX8 Certified to 100 Feet $2.41 This waterproof case is IPX8 Certified to 100 feet (30m). With 2 secure snaps at the top, your device will be secure all day whether you are swimming, relaxing on the beach, boating, or drinking near water. The case has 2 clear sides so you can still use the picture taking & video recording capabilities of your phone without worrying about potential damage. A neck lanyard it included. Sealed Retai… |
|
|
Eco Extreme Rugged and Waterproof Case with Built-In Speaker for iPod, iPhone and MP3 Players (Orange model: gdi-aqcse100) by Grace Digital $41.34 Eco Extreme – Rugged All-Terrain Speaker CaseTake your music anywhereThe Eco Extreme waterproof case works with every mp3 player and cell phone including the iPhone, iPod Touch, Motorola Droid and Blackberry. Built with a rugged, rubberized protective body, this is a great choice for anyone on the go who wants to take their music with them.The Eco Extreme case for your mp3 player is a top pick. It… |
|
|
Blue Waterproof Case for Apple iPhone 4, 4S – Also Works with iPod Touch 3, 4, iPhone 3G, 3GS, & Other Smartphones – IPX8 Certified to 100 Feet $14.99 This waterproof case is IPX8 Certified to 100 feet (30m). With 2 secure snaps at the top, your device will be secure all day whether you are swimming, relaxing on the beach, boating, or drinking near water. The case has 2 clear sides so you can still use the picture taking & video recording capabilities of your phone without worrying about potential damage. A neck lanyard it included. Sealed R… |