Krywosa, IMC

During these 2008 NFL playoffs, I started to think about how my deep and undying passion for the New York Giants began. My family wasnt a big football family. My high school team wasnt that great. My father was more of a college basketball kinda guy. I realized that its like most product branding: it just is. Its a choice I made a long time ago that will stay with me for life. Yes I’m from NY, but that’s basically where the influence for this decision ended. But its a powerful one.

You choose a product/team and its something that stays with you, and for most of us, will never change. Through ups and downs, trials and tribulations, we’ll stick with what we’ve known. Changing is not an option. This also bleeds over for many of us into product choices, such as pain relievers, bath products or home cleansers.

The thing about product and brand loyalty is that sometimes, there may not be a reason. Many consumers go through the motions of picking up what they are out of at home robotically. Some families may expect that their children will go to a certain college because thats what the family does. There are many reasons that are undeterred by current slander in the news, be it salary questions or child labor insinuations.

For me, I’ll always be a NYG fan and that will never change. I’ll always wear Nike’s. But, there are areas where I waver and experiment, especially as I grow older. How will you as a marketer influence these decisions for people like me?

Photo Courtesy of Benswing via Flickr.

I know. I know. It’s a seemingly uncharacteristic collision of my worlds: my New York Giants and overall NFL fanaticism, and my work life. Stay with me here…

Every Sunday  momentum is what ultimately swings the game. Sure, offensive and defensive linemen, QB  and running back stats do have a huge determining factor in the outcome, but there’s a reason ‘any given Sunday’ is true.

Its about the heart and the belief put into the effort. The ability to not give up and to stand the line on 3rd down and inches. Its about taking chances and making plays. Its the underdog doing the impossible. Its about the team mentality to take on a challenge. If the momentum is not there, or it gets put into the hands of the opposing team, you need to get it back or else you’re toast. Its about staying clear mentally and acting as if every down is another chance.

Shouldn’t we be putting that kind of effort into the most effective marketing tool we have? If we let the momentum swing to our competition, we run the risk of getting down on ourselves and giving up on new ideas. Of not making progress by way of bureaucracy and negativity. Why don’t we listen to the voices of our teammates who can see the impossible becoming possible? Instead of running the same old plays over and over again and wondering why we cant get anywhere, why don’t we work together on something new? Why don’t we change our lineups or coaches?

I don’t know about you but, if I’m putting in the effort to do the workouts, I want to put a ring on my finger, not just show up for practice.