May 11th, 2002

Brands, brands, brands.

Here is a story on the branding of the Red Bull energy drink that seems to indicate they are using the kind of branding that makes me queasy.

... Mr Mateschitz launched the brand by persuading students to drive around in Minis and Beetles with a Red Bull can strapped on top, or to throw Red Bull parties around weird and wonderful themes. The company's only advertisements are a series of whimsical television cartoons. Red Bull's marketing folk gloat that a recent British survey described their product as a "non-marketed brand".

Today, I rented a pressure washer, and cleaned my deck. Alexis, ever the entrepreneur, suggested that I rent the things often enough (once a year) to justify owning one. I could rent it out. I suppose that is one way to become an equity lord, but not one that interests me a lot.

(For the curious, I got the term "equity lord" from David McCusker. You should really read his Secret to Big Money linked to there.)

At least I'm not living in New York City. Bill Seitz says it costs $15,000/year for private schools there. Here, in New Orleans, you are only talking $4,000/year. But I'm sure we make less money.

Still, if Alexis can pull off home-schooling for a bit...