If Pet Rocks can be a thing…what could we do with sticks? Turns out: a lot! This week on Can They Brand That? we ideated a competitor for the iconic 70s "toy" and then built an entire brand for it…all in 20 minutes. And, of course, we upped the ante by doing it fully improvised, with the clock ticking, and LIVE on YouTube.

The result was a very real brand identity for a very fake product, (and perhaps our early retirement plan): from brand name ideas like My First Stick and Stick Figure to product expansions like Rhode-esque phone cases you can stick your stick in to Family Tree collector editions to slogans like, "we put the log in analog toys," and "toys that branch out," and, "the stick with endless schticks". And we did it all with the help of loyal commenters in the live stream (This could be YOU! Next week.)

ICYMI, this show exists 1) to champion originality and creativity in a sea of AI slop, 2) to show potential clients the power and value of fun as a consumer-converting strategy, and 3) to offer some much-needed levity to the world.

Branch out and watch the whole thing!

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Timestamps:

00:00 Can They Brand That? Intro

03:01 The Super Bowl National Anthem Discussion

06:03 Let the Brainstorm Begin!

09:58 The Pet Rock and Its Legacy

11:58 Introducing the Pet Stick Concept

14:58 Brand Positioning

18:01 Imaginary Play and Product Features

21:00 Stick Accessories and Scarcity in Marketing

23:14 The Concept of a Stick as a Toy

26:02 Marketing Strategies for 'My First Stick'

33:54 Creating a Mascot for the Brand

40:58 Finalizing the Brand Name and Concept

Wisdom for the Road:

• The importance of humor in branding.
• Creative brainstorming can lead to unexpected product ideas.
• Positioning a product effectively is crucial for success.
• Simplicity can be a powerful marketing tool.
• Creating a narrative around a product can increase its appeal.
• Accessories and narrative can enhance the perceived value of a simple product.
• Collaboration can lead to innovative ideas.
• Understanding your target audience is key to branding.
• The concept of nostalgia can be leveraged in marketing.

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As the world's first humor branding agency, Semiserious has worked its magic for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Waterboy, Blue Bunny, Yogi Tea, JOI, Alleyoop, The University of Chicago, Hilton, and Pie. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.

Say hi or snoop around: https://semiseriousagency.com/