Over the past few months I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about branding in virtual environments; especially since reading Seth Godin’s comments on storytelling in his “The Placebo Affect” blog entry. I documented my concern with some of his observations in my own entry, “The Accomplice” (which received lots of attention for different reasons). That entry was really mostly about increasingly-savvy consumers eventually catching on to the often less-than-honest methods used to sell them products that don’t live up to the hype. How they’re loyalty is being tested by people who spend more time spinning tall tales than improving products, and how the changing marketplace (and future marketplace I envision) may not tolerate the kinds of tactics employed today. If ever there was a time to give serious thought to the future of branding (and reputation), now – with the emergence of virtual markets and a shrinking divide separating virtual goods from real products – seems as good a time as ever.

That said, I just read a blog entry over on Brand Autopsy that resonates with me. I’ve seen the blog mentioned previously elsewhere, but I think it’s time I make it a regular visit and suggest those interested in branding consider following it as well.

via TP Wire Service