Branding - Everything Just Ducky in Memphis

It's an amazing thing what you can BRAND with a DUCK.

I'm at the Farm Equipment Manufacturing Association (FEMA) spring meeting in Memphis.  Memphis is not only home to the United States Civil Rights Museum, Beall Street, Graceland but also the Peabody Hotel.

Where nearly everything is branded with a duck.

I've had the opportunity to be in this town several times and I've "stayed smart" and hung out with the Marriott Family.  But, this is the first time in a Peabody property in over 15 years.

They have this DUCK thing down...and it's used all over the place.  And, everybody talks about it.   

Seems that back in 1938 the General Manager and his friend were out duck hunting in Arkansas. When they got back to Memphis they thought it might be real funny (after perhaps too many sips) to put their live decoys into the fancy fountain in the hotel lobby. (you could hunt with live decoys back then)

The idea stuck...and everybody talked about it.  And talked and talked...

Today the duck is everywhere.  From the sidewalk, to the sign and even the toilet paper.

The hotel is a masterpiece of service and the staff fantastic.  The prices are also out of this world.  And they see to it that every interaction is personal and positive.  Or so it seems at this point.

Clearly, the duck has become so much more and now is a symbol of service for high end properties.

Who would have thought?  So...what are you doing to create the BUZZ about your product or service?  And...are you creating a brand that will be talked about for next year and even 70 years down the road?

You just never know where the idea might come from...

Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications