Personal Branding Crisis
- 20 Lashings
- Dropped Feb 15th, 2009 by Ted Murphy in marketing
Last night I returned home from my day at Daytona with Blu Frog Energy to find my favorite hat destroyed by my dog Bonzo. She has grown quite spoiled now that I take her to work with me every day, and hates it when we leave her at home. We had a dog sitter pick her up in the afternoon, but apparently that wasn’t fast enough. She gnawed on my hat and on one of Tara’s dresses, making sure she sent a clear message to both of us. Don’t leave me alone. I don’t like it.
Normally I wouldn’t care so much. Stuff is stuff and I can buy another hat. The problem is this particular hat has become part of my personal brand. I have similar hats, but none of them are as identifiable as that one. That hat is featured in hundreds of photos of me, including the logo on this very blog. People recognize me because of that hat, it has become part of my image.
The truth is I screwed up. I’ve made a huge mistake (Arrested Development reference). When I decided to include that hat in my logo I should have made sure I had enough backup hats to deal with misplacing one, destruction or simple wear and tear. I knew better, I just didn’t think about it until it was too late. I tried to buy more about a month after I launched this site and had no luck.
It’s actually a good lesson for anyone developing a brand that includes a specific style of hat, glasses, etc. Make sure you have enough backups to last you several years, chances are you won’t be able to buy that same model or style again.
Help Me Rescue My Personal Brand
I bought the hat at Urban Outfitters in August. I have searched for the RN# featured in the picture below on their site and have come up with nothing. There is no website for the Vintage Crown Company. I have no idea where to get more of these hats.
Are you a super sleuth? If so you may score some cash. I am offering up a $100 reward to the first person who leaves a comment on this blog with either a link to buy this exact product or a phone number that I can call to order it. It must be this exact hat style, not a similar product. I will also hook you up with a thank you post and tweet for helping me out.
I hope one of you is better at tracking down things like this than I am. I really don’t want to go through a personal rebrand.
OH NO! not THE hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this it? Coloring seems to be off, though:
http://www.flyclothing.com/Green-Plaid-Driver-pr-22155.html
mate,
just get another one tailor made.
More fun… just give a tailor your old fabric sample and they can sort you out. Im based in Hong Kong most of the year so if you cant find a tailor locally, send me a sample and maybe i can get it made here if u give me your head size…
Dr Matt
I thought you had a six or ten of them already bought in case of emergencies like this since it was so tired to your brand.
Hope someone is able to find a replacement.
Have you checked around Amazon? I did a search for “Plaid Golf Hats” and this is what I came up with - http://tinyurl.com/helpfindtedshat
Might not be exact matches … but then again, brands do evolve and adapt to growth. Since you are in such a fast growth industry (tech) maybe your new route would be to incorporated a newly styled hat with small changes throughout the year.
Or you can wear the hat Bonzo chewed up as a metaphor - when in business and you get torn up, you put your hat back on and keep on truckin! *smile*
Good Luck Ted.
I’m off to China next month and will keep my eyes open for you
You should print a list of Urban Outfitter cities and send your readers out to the stores. I’ve been looking for you but can’t find them. You picked the one hat and hat company that isn’t on the internet.
Never Mind. I found it
http://tinyurl.com/bnh5g4
better buy a bunch
Is this it?
http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/product_page.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524892443574&prtID=pfx&src=k2776&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliate-_-Shopping.com-_-DDI%20Link
How about this?
http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/product_page.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524892443574&prtID=pfx&src=k2776&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliate-_-Shopping.com-_-DDI%20Link
How about this?
http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/product_page.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524892443574&prtID=pfx&src=k2776&cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliate-_-Shopping.com-_-DDI%20Link
(I hope you don’t get this comment three times, but I keep getting an error message.)
Congrats @ David - he is a SUPER SLEUTH to have found your hat so quickly and averted this crisis!
Bonzo is one smart poopy dog to get this much attention
This look like it Ted?
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/mens/accessories/hats/fashion/PRD~400599/Plaid+Ivy+Driver+Cap.jsp
Check this one out:
Kohls.com - item number 845524892443574
Have you tried calling Urban Outfitters to see if they’re any help?
Maybe it’s time to rebrand with a different color hat
@David Habnit:
WINNER! Wow… social media rocks. I am so happy, i ordered 5 new ones. Please send me an email to ted@izea.com so I can paypal you.
Did you order a hat rack, too? You know, to keep the hats out of Bonzo’s reach?
Good idea to run a contest for something like this. It’s basically being able to outsource a problem to the blogosphere! There have been a number of times when something like this would’ve been handy for me.
i bought my vintage at finishline
Oh MAN! I had the same situation with the same hat, somebody STOLE MINE!
I had the same one, but solid in grey. The thing is, this brand has an awesome cut and fit. I’m glad you found it, i have followed the links provided by people to try and find mine.
If anybody can help, it would rock.