Posted by Michelle Laarkamp at Sunday, October 25, 2015 10:08:58 PM WST
When it came time for me to write my blog, I knew I wanted to talk about a very well-known brand. In saying that, I didn’t want to focus on a ‘loud’ brand. The type that is only well-known because it’s always yelling at people, calling out through big colourful murals – telling everyone about how great it is. Sure, loud brands are fun; youthful; vibrant; all about the here and now; the ‘YOLO’ and the ‘LOL’.
We get it Coca-Cola. Life’s a party. Woo.
But the loud brands remind me too much, of the cocky guys. They might be eye-catching, but the overly confident Coca-Cola guys are generally very bad for you. They are also shallow show ponies. “Look at me everyone – look at how much fun I’m having!”
Eh, no thanks. I wanted to blog about a transmedia brand that was a quiet storyteller. Believe it or not, I’m more interested in the quiet ones. I usually find that they have the most interesting stories to tell, but have a hard time finding anyone who is curious enough to ask about them. Luckily for them, curiousity is my middle name.
Which brings me to this: ladies, let me introduce to you, a brand that is like the nice guy of your life. In fact if this brand was a guy, I guarantee you that he’d be in the friend zone. Did you know that you probably grew up together? Yup, this brand was a part of your childhood and is probably still in your life now. The best part about him? He doesn’t make you fat. In fact, he’s even good for you. He helps your brain function, supports your nervous system and decreases fatigue. He’s actually kind of like the perfect guy.
Sadly, though –there’s a lot you don’t know about him. Yesterday, on the 24th it was actually his birthday. Did you remember it? Probably not, but I didn’t know either until I became curious about his story. I started following him and Facebook stalking him and here’s what I found: He is a quiet achiever. In 1984, he made Australian supermarket history by being the first product to be electronically scanned at the checkout. He also has his own jingle which was initially broadcasted on the radio way back in 1954, later developed into television campaigns – re-emerging again in 2010. The tune is kind of childish, but it’s fun and catchy.
Today, his transmedia story continues through his website, Facebook and twitter. He is the sensitive type. He isn’t really that popular on social media, which makes me pity him a little, but his heart is in the right place. This is from his board ‘Morning start.’ I thought it was really sweet.
Finding out all these things made me realise that I neglect him. I go months without noticing him. He sits in my pantry, completely ignored. In fact 80% of Australians have him in the pantry too and I wonder if they treat him any better?
When I haven’t done the shopping, I’m hangry (hungry and angry); I’m tired from uni, there’s minimal food in the house and I’m on the verge of dying - there he is. My dependable nice guy. VEGEMITE. I remember VEGEMITE mostly from my childhood, singing the ‘Happy Little Vegemite’ song with my brothers, laughing and having fun together. I remember dad spreading the VEGEMITE on way too thick because he was old and had no taste buds left, making ours want to fall off in the process. Somewhere along the way though, it seems I became too good for VEGEMITE and it wasn’t until about a year ago that I missed it and bought a jar of it again. After writing this blog, I have a new found appreciation for this brand. It doesn’t stand out but though transmedia, it has stayed in the picture.
Here’s to the humble brands and the quiet storytellers. Here’s to you, VEGEMITE - and to all the VEGEMITE guys of the world. Keep doing what you’re doing because one day someone will be curious and they will want to hear your story.
When it came time for me to write my blog, I knew I wanted to talk about a very well-known brand. In saying that, I didn’t want to focus on a ‘loud’ brand. The type that is only well-known because it’s always yelling at people, calling out through big colourful murals – telling everyone about how great it is. Sure, loud brands are fun; youthful; vibrant; all about the here and now; the ‘YOLO’ and the ‘LOL’.
We get it Coca-Cola. Life’s a party. Woo.
But the loud brands remind me too much, of the cocky guys. They might be eye-catching, but the overly confident Coca-Cola guys are generally very bad for you. They are also shallow show ponies. “Look at me everyone – look at how much fun I’m having!”
Eh, no thanks. I wanted to blog about a transmedia brand that was a quiet storyteller. Believe it or not, I’m more interested in the quiet ones. I usually find that they have the most interesting stories to tell, but have a hard time finding anyone who is curious enough to ask about them. Luckily for them, curiousity is my middle name.
Which brings me to this: ladies, let me introduce to you, a brand that is like the nice guy of your life. In fact if this brand was a guy, I guarantee you that he’d be in the friend zone. Did you know that you probably grew up together? Yup, this brand was a part of your childhood and is probably still in your life now. The best part about him? He doesn’t make you fat. In fact, he’s even good for you. He helps your brain function, supports your nervous system and decreases fatigue. He’s actually kind of like the perfect guy.
Sadly, though –there’s a lot you don’t know about him. Yesterday, on the 24th it was actually his birthday. Did you remember it? Probably not, but I didn’t know either until I became curious about his story. I started following him and Facebook stalking him and here’s what I found: He is a quiet achiever. In 1984, he made Australian supermarket history by being the first product to be electronically scanned at the checkout. He also has his own jingle which was initially broadcasted on the radio way back in 1954, later developed into television campaigns – re-emerging again in 2010. The tune is kind of childish, but it’s fun and catchy.
Today, his transmedia story continues through his website, Facebook and twitter. He is the sensitive type. He isn’t really that popular on social media, which makes me pity him a little, but his heart is in the right place. This is from his board ‘Morning start.’ I thought it was really sweet.
Finding out all these things made me realise that I neglect him. I go months without noticing him. He sits in my pantry, completely ignored. In fact 80% of Australians have him in the pantry too and I wonder if they treat him any better?
When I haven’t done the shopping, I’m hangry (hungry and angry); I’m tired from uni, there’s minimal food in the house and I’m on the verge of dying - there he is. My dependable nice guy. VEGEMITE. I remember VEGEMITE mostly from my childhood, singing the ‘Happy Little Vegemite’ song with my brothers, laughing and having fun together. I remember dad spreading the VEGEMITE on way too thick because he was old and had no taste buds left, making ours want to fall off in the process. Somewhere along the way though, it seems I became too good for VEGEMITE and it wasn’t until about a year ago that I missed it and bought a jar of it again. After writing this blog, I have a new found appreciation for this brand. It doesn’t stand out but though transmedia, it has stayed in the picture.
Here’s to the humble brands and the quiet storytellers. Here’s to you, VEGEMITE - and to all the VEGEMITE guys of the world. Keep doing what you’re doing because one day someone will be curious and they will want to hear your story.