What is your favorite Lovemark?

If you haven’t seen the books or the website, check out this. Some of my favorite Lovemarks are Noat, JJill, Kiehls, Fresh Produce, Bumble &Bumble, IKEA, Gap and of course, Apple.

Thought all you Flutherites might like this also…Sisomo

martin guitars and ome banjos

oops *Naot…incredible shoes made in Israel!

Irregular Choice shoes! The most out-of-this-world, fabulous designs, at a price I can actually afford and they’re not all that uncomfortable!

I reserve love for people and animals not things. “Lovemark” sounds like a term made up in a marketer’s wet dream.

Also, things and companies never love you back.

My banjo and guitar love me back for sure.

Marina. . .I am a marketer and have loved LOVEMARKS. However, after reading your response, I’ve changed my mind. You are absolutely right—companies don’t love anyone, often even their own employees. There are companies I love. . .but I have been questioning this site for a while now (never discussed this with you, Kari). . .like it feeds Kevin Robert’s company with leads. It’s still fun to see the trends in retail, restaurants, etc. You can also learn a lot about marketing from this book.

Saying that. . .there are still companies (who make a profit) who are very concerned about their interaction with their customers and the quality of their product. What’s not to love?

 <——I drank the Kool-Aid long ago… (not sure if Windows users can see that symbol though)...

And then. . .isn’t it better that companies can be nominated by their consumers because they are a bit more conscious, concerned, more fun, more in touch? Thanks, you all, for helping me think this through. So easy to judge.

As someone who works in the wonderful world of customer support, my main objective is all about loving the customer (not literally, of course, but you know what I mean) and make them love the company in return.

@lindabrowne1 I am a bit cynical this morning, don’t mind me. As long as you partake of the marketing cup with your eyes open, that’s great. As a marketer myself, I just want you to be aware there is no good done by most of big corporations without a clear eye on the bottom line. That includes any money they give or associations they have with cause marketing. You might be interested in this article from Advertising Age:

“Surely all the companies investing in cause marketing must be earning points in afterlife. Unfortunately, under both Delaware law and the tenets of most major religions, corporations technically don’t have souls and hence aren’t eligible for heaven.

And so the question remains, are they making any money at this?

It seems impolite to ask. But make no mistake: Though you might not always glean this by looking at the home pages of the consumer-products giants touting their latest philanthropic or earth-saving gestures, these are for-profit entities.

While the cynical outlook, repeated endlessly across the blogosphere, is that cause marketing is all about making money, perhaps the more mature, post-cynical outlook is, yes, of course it is, and, well, it should be.”

Marina. . .Yes, you are right. However, I am a marketer for small business and non-profits. I’m all for getting money for corporations if it further the mission of the non-profit and its ability to help people. Do you really care if a corporation gets points—let’s look at American Idol’s giving back show. AI producers, judges, etc. are making a “jit” load of money—but isn’t their purpose pure?

What about entertainers who volunteer their time/services/talents/gifts for disasters like the
Tsumami, hunger, Katrina victims? Food for thought.

Wow, those are some great responses. That being said, I love a great product. A good company/product is where I receive good customer service no matter how big or small the company is. One that I will buy over and over because of the product’s greatness, a quality company (like zappos”... free shipping, free returns and great company to deal with) or because I feel they go above and beyond to make me feel special as a customer. Aren’t we a society driven by products? Isn’t ok to “love” and support a product we believe in?

I want to be clear that I really don’t disagree with you at all—good does come from famous people and corporations giving their efforts and money to a cause. And all good should be applauded. If they do it, the rest of the world tends to follow to some extent.

But my Sunday cynic wants to also point out that celebrities get tons of free publicity (the lifeblood of their celebrity) from doing charitable works. Is that their only motive? Probably not, but it is a piece of it.

The point is, no one has to do it—and I’m not sure free publicity is what it’s all about. These folks/companies do this voluntarily. I frankly would rather purchase products/services/music/entertainment from folks and companies who do give back.

To all of you that didn’t answer but thought Marina’s answer was great, I have this to say. My question was merely just restating a question that Andrew asked months earlier. I just added this company who recognizes brands that people nominate because they love them. I also thought they were really neat books (and website) that some of you might enjoy. I don’t believe that companies don’t love you back. When you love your customers and give them great service and listen to them (hmmm…like for example…Fluther), people want to come back for more. You build a relationship with people and therefore build a customer base. At one time or another most these companies started as a small business and HOORAY to them for making it. And boo hoo to you for acting like you don’t like things ,as you all type away on your iPhones and such.

@thebeadholder Far be it from me to burst your bubble. Go forth and consume happily believing that you have a “relationship” with those you buy from. I guess I don’t understand why that is so important to people.

Being a former small business owner and working for a very successful one in the same field, I did develop relationships with those who came in my store to buy. I still miss my customers everyday. Great customer service and a good product always make people come back for more. Is it SO bad to like things? Is it the most important thing in my life to be a good consumer or be a great business? No. My kids, my hubby, my family, my friends…they are why I get out of bed every day.

If I understand the concept correctly, then I would have to say Dr. Pepper and Jimboy’s Tacos.

Fishing in old threads, AC?

Just following links, M.

@AC Right you are. That was how I knew you had just posted. I left off my tilde.