personal brands
Posted by Mark J. Miller on March 9, 2012 03:57 PM

Some people have suggested that Linsanity is pretty much over as the New York Knicks haven’t won (surprise!) every single game that Jeremy Lin has started as point guard, and have actually lost a few with him taking charge.
But anybody who says that obviously hasn’t been hanging out in Taiwan recently. Focus Taiwan reports that the 23-year-old Harvard grad’s influence is extremely strong there. A local magazine there released poll results Friday that show Lin’s continuing influence.Continue reading...
More about: Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks, Basketball, NBA, Sports, Merchandise, Personal Brands, MSG Network, Madison Square Garden, Linsanity, China, Taiwan, Maxxis, Master Kong
celebrity brandmatch
Posted by Mark J. Miller on February 29, 2012 05:57 PM

Less than a month ago, the idea of Nike giving Jeremy Lin his own shoe was completely laughable. Before his breakout game Feb. 4 against the New Jersey Nets, Lin had scored only 32 points in the nine games he had appeared in for the New York Knicks. He hadn’t even stepped onto the court for 13 of the team’s first 22 matchups.
Then, of course, he became the toast of New York and a worldwide phenomenon, rising up from his brother’s couch to seemingly save Gotham and strike a pose for underdogs everywhere (though it’s hard to imagine too many situations where a Harvard grad is considered an underdog). With all that love coming his way, marketers were suddenly calling. And Nike was apparently was early to the phone, especially since they had signed Lin to a deal back in 2010. Now it was time for their payday.
In the wake of last week's early sighting, Nike started to sell “Jeremy Lin-themed shoes” in the New York Knicks' team colors, in time to be worn by Lin last weekend. They can be created by fans online for $130 a pair, based on the basketball sneaks (Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low) the brand built especially for the rising star. Just don't consider it Nike's official Lin shoe — yet.Continue reading...
More about: Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks, Basketball, NBA, Sports, Nike, NIKEiD, Sneakers, Merchandise, Personal Brands, MSG Network, MSG, Madison Square Garden, Foot Locker, Customization
personal brands
Posted by Mark J. Miller on February 16, 2012 12:23 PM

The world, in case you hadn't noticed, has gone nuts for New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin. He finally started a game Wednesday during which he didn’t score 20 or more points. Instead, he provided 10 points and a season-high 13 assists in the team’s seventh straight win.
Now Nike is planning to give the people what they want: to be #Linning too. According to ESPN Radio's blog, the shoe manufacturer is "set to release the Nike Hyperfuse 2011 Linsanity PE," a shoe that features New York Knick's iconic orange and blue with ‘Lin’ written in script, "sweeping across the side of the heel" — they even got a sneak peek, as you can see from their photo above.Continue reading...
More about: Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks, Basketball, NBA, Sports, Nike, Sneakers, Merchandise, Personal Brands, MSG Network, MSG, Madison Square Garden, Air Jordan, Jordan Brand, Michael Jordan
sporting brands
Posted by Mark J. Miller on February 14, 2012 03:04 PM
A week and a half ago, you had probably never heard his name; now you're no doubt sick of the puns. If you had heard of Jeremy Lin, he was as an undrafted, backup backup backup NBA point guard who had been dumped by the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets before signing on with the guard-needy New York Knicks this offseason.
Now he’s set the NBA world afire, becoming the first player in history to score 20 or more points and assist on seven or more baskets a game in his first four starts, all New York victories. Take that, Michael Jordan.
Lin is being paid $800,000 this season, the league minimum for a second-year player, but his brand has risen exponentially in the past week. According to Forbes, Lin’s brand is worth $14 million right now. Not bad for a guy who was couch-surfing — crashing at his brother's NYC apartment — not long ago.Continue reading...
brand news
Posted by Dale Buss on February 14, 2012 08:55 AM

Amazon expands into original programming for web and TV, while Senate bill may close Virginia's "Amazon loophole."
Angry Birds lands on Facebook.
Apple shares close above $500, breaking more records, while brand announces iPad 3 release for March 7, testing "iPad Mini" tablet with smaller screen.
Burt's Bees launches spinoff aimed at Gen Y.
Chipotle steals buzz at Grammy's with Willie Nelson/Coldplay commercial.
Ford may have last laugh over Chevrolet with Super Bowl truck ad.
Google sees Motorola Mobility acquisition approved by EU and US.Continue reading...
More about: Brand News, 4G, Amazon, Angry Birds, AT&T, Apple, Burt's Bees, Chevrolet, Chipotle, Facebook, Ford, Google, Grammys, HP, Hilton, Whitney Houston, iPad, Jeremy Lin, Kia, London 2012, Marc Jacobs, McDonald's, Motorola, Motorola Mobility, MSG, MSG Network, MySpace, NBC, NBC Universal, New York Knicks, Nielsen, Nike, Olympics, OWN, Oscar de la Renta, Pizza Hut, Saab, Sears, Shisheido, Twitter, United, Urban Outfitters, Verizon, Oprah Winfrey, Wynn Resorts