GE Aviation selects The Blake Project
December 2008 - After an intense search the aviation division of General Electric selected The Blake Project to spearhead strategic branding initiatives.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
May 2008 - Brad VanAuken delivered a series of branding seminars to marketers and business leaders. The two day event focused on Brand Research and Brand Leadership Strategy.

Unilever selects The Blake Project
April 2008 - After a highly competitive worldwide search, The Blake Project’s Brad VanAuken has been selected as one of Unilever's Marketing Academy facilitators. He will be responsible for leading Unilever’s local (country) and regional category, brand and other line marketing managers in developing robust strategic marketing and trade category plans. He will focus on the North, Central and South American markets.

With 400 brands spanning 14 categories of home, personal care and foods products, no other company touches so many people's lives in so many different ways as Unilever.

Unilever's brand portfolio has made them leaders in every field in which they work. It ranges from much-loved world favourites including Lipton, Knorr, Dove and Omo, to trusted local brands such as Blue Band and Suave.

Participants at Unilever's National Category Building Plan workshop in Bogota, Colombia on May 6 and 7, 2008. Brad VanAuken is first from the left in the front row.

The Blake Project and Jack Trout
April 2008 - The Blake Project and brand strategy pioneer Jack Trout have partnered in the delivery of brand strategy and brand education. Jack is the acclaimed author of many marketing classics including: Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind, The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing, Differentiate or Die, Big Brands. Big Trouble, A Genie's Wisdom, Trout on Strategy and others.

As a consultant he has guided such companies as AT&T, IBM, Burger King, Merrill Lynch, Xerox, Merck, Lotus, Ericsson, Tetra Pak, Repsol, Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble, Southwest Airlines and several other Fortune 500 companies. Recently, he consulted with the State Department on how to better sell America.

Recognized as one the world's foremost marketing strategists, Jack is the originator of Positioning and other important concepts in marketing strategy. He has over 40 years of experience in advertising and marketing and is a boardroom advisor to some of the world's largest corporations. Jack has gained an international reputation as a consultant, writer, speaker, and proponent of leading-edge marketing strategies.

The Blake Project adds notable watch client
February 2008 - The Blake Project was recently retained by the Swiss-American manufacturer Luminox to help them with their brand management and marketing efforts.

The Luminox watch company began in 1989 when an American entrepreneur discovered a unique Swiss self-powered illumination system. Working with the Swiss company, he developed a new brand of watches with superior illumination (now called Luminox Light Technology). In 1994, Luminox supplied its first watch to the Navy SEALs. Since then, it has been consistently requested by and supplied to the Navy SEALs. Luminox, now found in over 30 nations, is the original precision night vision gear for elite forces, peak performers and everyday heroes around the world.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
December 2007 - Brad VanAuken delivered a series of branding seminars to a diverse group of Arab business leaders. The three day event focused on Positioning Commodities, Pricing Strategy and Solving the 40 Most Common Brand Problems.

Branding Commodities was part of the focus for these workshop participants in Dubai, United Arab Emirates







To learn more about our Speakers and Brand Education Seminars click here.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise in Minsk, Belarus
October 2007 - Jennifer McLean delivered a series of branding seminars to a diverse group of business leaders. The two day event focused on Mastering Brand Planning.

To learn more about our Speakers and Brand Education Seminars click here.

The Blake Project creates new NBA mascot and social networking community
September 2007- The 'Jazzbot' was created and introduced to online fans of the Utah Jazz. The digital mascot will serve as a brand ambassador across the franchises digital assets and symbolizes the commitment the team has to building and extending its brand in the social media space. Jazzbots.com was conceptualized and is managed under the direction of The Blake Project.

American Express adds to expert panel
June 2007 - American Express selected Derrick Daye as one of their branding experts for its online business knowledge base 'OPEN forum'. Derrick is contracted to share his expertise on a range of marketing topics in the months ahead.

Branding Rochester, New York
June 2007 - The Blake Project's Brad VanAuken led a panel of respected business leaders through a positioning process for the City of Rochester, New York. The intent: position the brand as the place of choice for residents, businesses and tourists.

70's Television Icon and The Blake Project unite
May 2007 - The Blake Project has been chosen to work with America's reliable big brother, Barry Williams aka ‘Greg Brady' of the hit TV series The Brady Bunch, helping him build his brand online with social media and developing a personal branding strategy for this retro-cool brand. Earlier this year we launched his robust fan portal, The Greg Brady Project.

The Blake Project adds NBA client to roster
Tampa, FL - March 2007 - The Utah Jazz has selected The Blake Project to spearhead social media branding efforts. Known for its progressive marketing approach, the franchise will work closely with us in implementing strategies and tactics that deliver a larger experience to their fan base while claiming new ground for the brand.

The Blake Project welcomes new partner
Rochester, NY - February 2007 - John Selvaggio is the former President of Song Airlines, and was the "founding optimist and visionist" of this dynamic brand offering from parent, Delta Airlines. He was responsible for guiding its growth from 1 aircraft to 36 in six months and ensuring its success in the very competitive low-fare market place. John worked with Delta for six years, and has more than 30 years of airline experience.

At The Blake Project John will put his strategic business and brand visionary skills to use in client consultation and as a speaker on the international circuit.

Brand Aid released in Korean
The international best-seller continues to draw accolades and has been published in its fourth language.

"Brand Aid is a comprehensive guide unlike any other on the market today. Apply what you learn to your brand building activities and watch the value of your brand and bottom line increase."

-Amy Kelm, Worldwide Consumer Brand Development Manager, Hewlett-Packard

To own a hard cover copy of Brand Aid, contact us.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise in Kiev, Ukraine
November 2006 - Brad VanAuken delivered a presentation on Branding and Social Responsibility to a wide range of business leaders and marketers at the 2006 Brands Point Conference. While to many in western markets a link between branding and social responsibility has become an expectation, in emerging markets' it's a very new concept.

The Blake Project welcomes new executive
Rochester, NY - May 2006 - Adam Kranitz joins The Blake Project as Vice President. Adam brings a wealth of marketing experience as a brand manager and e-commerce consultant. He has worked with national brands such as Reeds Jewelers, Scholastic, Inc, and DunnTire.

At The Blake Project Adam will spearhead new business initiatives and assist clients with strategic planning.

Brand Aid released in Japanese
The international best-seller continues to draw accolades from business executives, marketers and literary critics.

"Brand Aid is an asset for the beginner and veteran brand builder alike. No matter what size your organization or how great your brand expertise, this book can provide a point of reference and new insights." - Elizabeth A. Hunter, Senior Brand Manager, Bank of America.

To own a hard cover copy of Brand Aid, contact us.

High Luxury Client added to roster
Clearwater, FL - High Crest Residential selected The Blake Project to lead its branding and marketing efforts. The development features Twenty-Seven luxury condominiums with boat slips. Nestled in the quaint, yet vibrant community of Island Estates, the project sets a new standard for intimate luxury living in Clearwater. The brand positioning process yielded the tagline: 'Free Your Soul', capturing the brand positioning in an economy of words.

Repositioning the United Way of Greater Rochester Brand

Rochester, NY - The Blake Project's Chief Brand Strategist, Brad VanAuken is helping the United Way of Greater Rochester reposition its brand as it pursues a new business model. The project includes in-depth constituent research and consensus building among organizational leaders and other key stakeholder groups.

Brand Education at the eBusiness Association

Rochester, NY - May 2006 - Brad VanAuken delivered a two hour keynote speech to one hundred marketers and business leaders entitled "Branding.com: Unleashing Brand Power on the Internet" at the annual meeting of the eBusiness Association of Rochester, New York.

The Blake Project's Brad VanAuken conducted a two-day workshop entitled "Creating Global Fashion Brands" in Bangkok, Thailand on May 24 and 25, 2006. Thailand is one of the world's largest producers of garments. They produce clothing under a large number of designer labels for fashion companies throughout the world. Brad trained marketing professionals from 28 different clothing factories on how to create global fashion brands, helping them transition from clothing manufacturers to fashion design firms.

On the CEO Circuit

Brad VanAuken began speaking on the Vistage circuit by presenting "The 16 Things Most Important Things a CEO Needs to Know About Building Winning Brands" at two Vistage group meetings in Rochester, NY on May 3 and 4, 2006. Vistage, formally known as TEC, is the world's largest CEO membership organization.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise throughout Asia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - March 2006 - Brad VanAuken conducted a two day brand positioning master workshop entitled "Brand Distinction" for Malaysian marketing executives.

The Blake Project delivers a wide range of seminars on topics relevant to branding. Each are designed to educate and empower audiences to release the full potential of the brands they manage.

Brad VanAuken's Brand Aid was excerpted in the December 31, 2005 issue of Chief Executive China magazine (www.cec.globalsources.com). [May 2006 issue pictured here.]

Brand Positioning - Downtown Tampa
Tampa, FL - October, 2005 - The Tampa Downtown Partnership, The Blake Project, and a special committee appointed by Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio are defining the Downtown Tampa brand. The intent is to position it as the place of choice for residents, businesses and tourists.

Lead by The Blake Project, the brand positioning process will help Downtown Tampa create clarity and consensus around what makes it compelling and unique to its intended audiences. It will set it apart from other places that its target audiences are considering. Through this process, Downtown Tampa intends to receive an increased share of the economic development 'pie' and foster greater pride and loyalty of its current residents and businesses.

The brand positioning will shape how Tampa's Downtown is perceived for years to come.

For more information about our brand positioning expertise contact Derrick Daye.

Brand Education at Bausch & Lomb
Rochester, NY - September, 2005 - The Blake Project's Brad VanAuken shared his branding expertise with 40 of Bausch & Lomb's top marketers and brand managers. He presented The 16 Most Important Things You Need to Know About Building Winning Brands.

Subscribe to The Brand Management Newsletter and stay abreast of the latest brand management and marketing concepts, tools and techniques.

The Brand Management Newsletter is published monthly as a FREE service of The Blake Project.

A Stronger Brand for Strong Museum
Rochester, NY - July, 2005 - Strong Museum invited Brad VanAuken to consult with them regarding marketing strategies in support of the following:

• repositioning the museum as the National Museum of Play
• $33 million expansion, making it the third largest children's museum in the world

In 1997, Brad VanAuken facilitated the positioning of the new Science City at Union Station museum prior to its opening as a part of the newly renovated Union Station in Kansas City, MO.

The Blake Project shares branding expertise throughout Europe
MasterBrand, Russia's premier branding organization has chosen The Blake Project's Chief Brand Strategist, Brad VanAuken to conduct the 2005 MasterBrand Seminar Series. The seminars feature topics such as Brand Positioning; Innovative Marketing Techniques that Work; Brands, People & Organizational Vitality and Developing the Brand-Building Organization. Brad conducted the first of several scheduled three-day brand management and marketing seminars for Russian executives in Brussels, Belgium, May 21-23. Brad will share his expertise with executives throughout the year in Vienna, London, Barcelona, and Milan.

For more about Brand Education and Speaking Engagements for your organization contact us.

American Association of Museums
Indianapolis, Indiana - May, 2005 - Museum communicators at the American Association of Museums' Annual Meeting & Museum Expo(TM) 2005 heard Brad VanAuken, Chief Brand Strategist, speak on
"The 11 Things Museums Should Know About Branding."

When to call the Blake Project

Brand Education - Boy Scouts of America
Atlantic City, New Jersey - March, 2005 - Brad VanAuken, Chief Brand Strategist, led a group of Boy Scout professionals and volunteers through a marketing case study at the 2005 Northeast Regional Finance, Endowment and Marketing Roundtable.

Brad VanAuken's Brand Aid released in Russian
Brad VanAuken's latest book, Brand Aid, has been released in Russian by publisher Piter (http://www.piter.com). The international best seller is slated to be published in Korean next year.

"Brand Aid is the essential toolkit for today's (and tomorrow's) brand marketers." - Jim Harmon, Manager, Corporate Advertising, General Electric

To own a hard cover copy of Brand Aid, contact us.

Repositioning The George Eastman House Brand
Rochester, NY - The Blake Project's Brad VanAuken is an active member of the marketing committee of the prestigious George Eastman House International Museum of Photography & Film. In his role on that committee, Brad is helping to reposition the brand for a broader international audience in anticipation of an upcoming capital campaign.

Formerly the home of George Eastman, Founder of Eastman Kodak, The Eastman House is the world's oldest photography museum and one of the world's oldest film archives (http://www.eastmanhouse.org).

The Blake Project selects new CFO
Rochester, NY - June, 2004 - The Blake Project announced the addition of Richard Atwood as Chief Financial Officer. Richard brings considerable depth to the position with more than 30 years in accounting and finance on state and federal levels. Most recently, he served as Senior Corporate Tax Auditor for the State of Maine.

The Blake Project adds "landmark" client to roster
Tampa, FL - February, 2004 - The Towers of Channelside, LLC, has selected The Blake Project as its exclusive marketing partner. The Blake Project will be responsible for positioning the company in the marketplace, developing its brand identity and creating marketing-communications vehicles to help the company reach its targeted sales goals. The Towers of Channelside is regarded as the most exclusive luxury development in the Tampa Bay Area. The 100 million dollar project will set a new, regional standard for urban luxury living. Upon completion, two thirty-story towers will complement the Tampa Skyline and overlook the trendy Channelside District.