Name Awards

Year end awards to affordable naming agencies

As the clock ticks over another year, I think it is time to present a 3 trophy award to all those clients who used the services of naming agencies to save themselves money. Yes, many companies realize that it is cheaper and quicker to do many naming projects with the help of naming professionals who have creative proven namers, large naming databases, and the process and experience to minimize executive management meeting hours.

This recognition also goes out to those agencies who are still running full-service corporate naming projects for well under $10,000, start to finish. We encourage them to maintain these price points in the New Year so as to grow the industry as a whole, instead of just skimming off a few high-priced clients at the top of the food chain.

Web sites in need of help

A friend recently sent me a list of websites with a comment that these folks could have used my help. Well that is often the case, as users are sometimes too close to the forest to see the trees. But these gems really missed out on some common sense:

www.whorepresents.com   -   Did you read this as Who Represents – a celebrity agency?

www.expertsexchange.com – Of course you knew this was Experts Exchange!

www.penisland.net  -  Looking for a Pen Island?

www.therapistfinder.com   – If you are looking for a therapist and not the rapist!

www.powergenitalia.com – I am sure you recognize this as the Italian Power Generating Company.

and

www.speedofart.com   – if you like to backfire in your swimsuit.

D and B feeds on Purisma

Sometimes when you get too clever at naming products, unexpected side effects crop up, especially for people with a different point of view. For a brief moment I thought the venerable Dun and Bradstreet had entered the cat food business. Notice what part of the logo they even emphasize!

So next time you play around with big words like Pure and Information Systems and Management, be careful of the resulting new name generations. Almost needs a warning: Do not try this at home. Unexpected side-effects may result.

Getting Wired Even When Not Online

This week I have to offer a name award to Wired magazine. Some may have thought this is only a good name for electro propeller head geeks online, but I think it also works well in print. I am not saying that the big success of their print version is because of the name, but it sure doesn’t hurt. You too can feel wired and revved up after viewing their great articles, strong statement photos and wildly different editorial and design layout.

Maybe that is why this is one publication that is so thick and juicy for couch or bedtime reading.. when all computer jocks take a break from the keyboard.

The Soul of Seoul

Soul - a car name with passion

I was about to comment on what a great name this was and congratulate a car company with finally injecting some real personality into a name, when I remembered Kia was a Korean company. My headline may not be fair.. but I couldn’t resist.

Congratulations to Kia…….I hope you sell a million of these little Souls.