The key to getting noticed in the turbulent sea of cultural messages is not to speed up, but to slow down. If your name can disrupt someone’s ordinary routine, they will stop and pay attention. Perhaps only for a few seconds, but sometimes that’s all it takes to create an initial engagement with a brand. In a world where everything is fast, it’s only natural that slowing down perception can be a major point of differentiation.
What is the Manifesto?
The Naming & Branding Manifesto is a live, ongoing exploration of Zinzin's philosophy of naming and branding, presented here with the latest Manifesto bites at the top.
Get the Manifesto PDF
On our Downloads page, you can get The Naming & Branding Manifesto PDF, which is in chronological order, or the standard naming guide, which includes The Manifesto.
5 Random Manifesti
8Does The Carpet Match The Drapes?
We talk a lot about brand positioning and how important it is, so let’s define our terms. Simply put, the positioning of a brand is the set of core messages the brand demonstrates to the world, through tone, personality, emotion … »»»
3Name, Rank And Serial Number.
For too many people and companies, a name is merely an identifier, a functional string of letters or numbers with little brand value. This is the baseline, primordial meaning and function of a name. As Wittgenstein puts it, “A name … »»»
12You Can Get It If You Really Want.
Clients often say to us that they got stuck when trying to name a company or product themselves because they are “not creative enough.” We tell them, no, you are just as creative as us or anyone else, but your … »»»
2Grunts, Squeals & Crude Vocalizations.
Communication began with grunts and squeals, crude vocalizations, painted images and a lot of hand waving. From this names evolved to identify the bison to be hunted or the ideal cave for shelter and ceremony. Names are the beginning of … »»»
4Language Is Alive And On The Move.
The way we write and speak today would have made people living in the 17th century, never mind Neanderthals, think us aliens from a far off galaxy. Things change, culture changes, languages are born and die, names come and go … »»»

