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Jeep didn’t start out making the urban soft-tops you see on the interstate every day. The genesis for the Jeep was a World War II military request to have an all-purpose light truck for reconnaissance.
Coke wasn’t originally created to be the world’s best-selling cola. It was initially an alcohol based drink called coca wine. When the first prohibition rules were passed in Georgia, the non-alcoholic drink was created and marketed as a medicine.
And rock singer Dee Snider didn’t start off as a TV star. He began as the lead singer of Twisted Sister, and in full big-hair and make up he belted out the massive 80′s hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It”. Twisted Sister didn’t have a wealth of other hits, although they did attract a strong following in the hair band scene that supported them over the years. When the audiences started to dwindle, Snider evolved into a radio host with his syndicated show that paid tribute to his genre, “House of Hair”. That led to a full-time radio gig hosting a morning show in Hartford and then Philadelphia, keeping Dee Snider employed and in the public light long after his band had folded. Later, Snider’s voice became the soundtrack to many movie trailers, video games, and VH1 music specials.
Now Dee Snider is about to invade your home on TV with his reality show “Growing Up Twisted”, which follows Dee and his family around as they go about their business day to day. A&E has signed the show for seven episodes this summer to test the waters.
That ability to adapt and navigate is the artistry of entrepreneurship, and you see it in great bands and great brands all of the time.
Like Jeep, Coca-Cola, and Dee Sinder, most great Rock Star brands and bands didn’t start out in the same form we see them in today.
Is your business plan nimble enough to change direction at any moment to take advantage of competitive opportunities?
Is your radar on to the trends and fashions that could open up new doors?
Dee Snider’s show runs on A&E on Tuesday nights this summer.
One Response to “Jeep, Coke, and Twisted Sister: Your Brand Repurposed”
For me, Dee became legit when he teamed with Frank Zappa to take on Tipper Gore over warning labels on albums. I agree that being able to evolve is key to keeping your brand hot. That's what I'm trying to do with my photography business.