Inside the April 2012 Issue
Features
Branding's Big Guns
Dreaming of the day your business becomes a household name? Follow these examples.
Advertising's New Campaign
BlogFrog is capitalizing on the massive influence of mom bloggers with its brand-sponsored conversations and communities. The network's agency clients and star writers are also reaping rewards. But as the line between editorial and advertising blurs, is authenticity getting left behind?
Word to Your Mother
These entrepreneurs tapped into a lucrative market -- and so can you.
Mobile Marketing Muscle
The millions of mom bloggers can make or break a new product -- so it pays to play by their rules.
Mom-and-Pop Shops
Is parenthood inspiring your entrepreneurial instincts? Consider the stories of these cool companies for modern parents from a range of industries.
In Brand They Trust
How one Texas barbershop chain built relationships with customers based on a strong company identity -- and beer.
Dining's New Wave
A chain rebrands with a local focus, a surf theme and a celebrity endorsement.
Branding, Inc.
As businesses struggle to establish a strong corporate identity, there's no shortage of enterprises waiting to help.
Rep Repair
Online rumors got your brand down? Get ready to fight back.
Well Enough Alone
One isn't always the loneliest number. In fact, it may be all that's needed to operate a successful business.
Playing Well Together
Co-branding among franchises appeared to have lost its luster in recent years. But new concepts are emerging to prove that strategic combinations of businesses can cut costs and broaden the customer base.
Columns
Editor's Note
Trust isn't a new concept in branding, but it's become more important than ever.
All Up In Your Business
A business that caters to a specialized community offers lessons in narrowing the focus.
Ask the Esquire Guy
How can you go from 'public speaking isn't my thing' to full-fledged confidence? The Esquire guy helps you step up to the podium.
The Business Traveler
Our man on the go returns to one of his favorite airports--and finds much to recommend (including the futomaki).
As your company grows, you can transition from startup entrepreneur to coach and mentor. Hint: It starts with trust.
Shiny Objects
Sleek wireless speakers will immerse your business with music (no ugly cables or pricey installation required).
More companies are accepting mobile payments. But failing to protect credit-card data could risk hefty penalties and fines.
Affordable usability audits can weed out glaring trouble spots. A range of services are available to help for less than $200.
Mobile Tech
Now companies can pitch location-based offers to smartphone customers instantly--and potentially make them feel uneasy.
The Online Trep
With LocalVox, small businesses can promote deals, events and new services in their immediate neighborhoods.
The Fix
The Roxy Theatre on Hollywood's Sunset Strip was on its way down when Nic Adler took over and restored it to prominence in the North American music scene.
Website to Watch
Competition site Kaggle makes predictive modeling more effective and efficient--and a lot more fun.
Lead Gen
Don't overlook these unexpected online opportunities for prospects.
Doing Good
A community service certification requirement aims to spread some om to those in need.
Who Has VC
ReadyForZero racked up $4.5 million in funding to help consumers pay their bills.
If you're looking to scale up one day, it will pay to know now about how late-stage investing works.
Knowing how long your business can run on red is a crucial measure of its potential for success.
Your Money
Effective record-keeping is one thing. Holding on to piles of paper is another thing altogether.
Wacky Idea
In a business that's not only fun but therapeutic, these two childhood friends have been lucky with word-of-mouth and press coverage.
College Startup
The ability to pull all-nighters moved three BYU students to the front of the competitive QR-code category.
Startup Finance
A Texas businesswoman fetched the amount she needed to open an eco-friendly pet store
Franchise Ink
Want to start a business, but don't want to deal with an office or a storefront? These are the franchises for you.
Franchise Ink
A martial arts franchise aims to drop-kick bullies and raise self-esteem while helping owners bring a professional approach to their business.
Opportunities
Innovative software empowers franchise owners to respond to customer reviews instantly.
Back Page
We would be remiss to close our big, bad branding package without a nod to a brand that needs no introduction: Texas.
Magazine Resources
