Wanna be like Mike?

Do you remember the commercials saying "I want to be like Mike." I rncan remember coming up hearing this popular slogan and marketing rncampaign ran back in the 90s. It is probably one of the most rnmemorable sportswear campaigns of my lifetime, outside of Nike's JUSTrnDO IT. Now looking back at it, as an adult and marketing lover I have arnfew critical questions. Questions like "What makes Mike “Mike,” Isrnit his name, or is it his shoes, or could it be his skills? Howrncome everyone seems to know is name and face, and, even deeper,rnwant to imitate him. True enough, he has great skills, and is arguably the best ever to playrnthe game of basketball. That’s not in question. What is in questionrnis why do we feel the need to associate ourselves and our ambitionsrnwith him. Why do we want to relate to him and not the guy who’s keep the seatsrnwarm beside him. It could be a lot of reasons, but the main reason rnis that he has developed into a brand. He has surpassed the idea of being just a good athlete or richrnguy, but he has got to a place where his name is engraved in rnhistory. When you think of his industry you think of him, and so do rnmillions of others. Now think about this. You may no want to believe this, butrnlike history has taught us many times, there is likely I guy who hasrnwalked this earth that could probably give Jordan a run for his rnmoney. You may not know him, and I may not know him, but it is very rnpossible. The difference is that do to life, he may have never received thernopportunity or exposure to make his talent known. At least, not onrna stage where it could be recognized by those who could help himrncultivated his talent. He could have had the same skills as Jordan, if not better, butrnthat’s all he had. He never branded himself, or put himself in arnsituation where he could be branded. The moral is there is norngreatness without branding. When someone is great they are recognized by their brand and whatrnthey stand for. Their name is associated with the elite or the best rnin their field and industry. There is no confusion to what they represent and what they do well, rnand they usually have a loyal following. People respect them becausernof who they are. Here is a challenge. Take time to think about whatrnyou represent and how people see you? When people say your name,rnwhat is the first thought that people have? What do they say aboutrnyou? That will give you a small clue of what you are brandingrnyourself as and the value of you brand. Kind in mind that you are a rnbrand one way or another. Make sure that you are branding yourself rnin a way that you can stand proud and remain consistent.