Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 30 July, 2010
Lilydale chickens are apparently running a new marketing campaign, but sadly not in Adelaide, so we won't get to see these billboards:

I think it's just such an interesting concept! OK, so I realise that the reason lots of people don't say grace is not because their food's no good, but I still like the ad!
Posted by: Clayton Fopp
on 17 February, 2009
If we are actually speaking truth ... why isn't anyone listening? 
I've been reading Branding Faith by Phil Cooke. To some in the church, the idea of branding is anathema, but I suspect this is mostly due to misunderstanding the concept. Branding is part of the reality within the church exists. Cooke quotes a study which found that one in four babies, speaks a brand name as their first word! This study, by British Market Research Bureau is also quoted in a slightly alarming 2003 article in the SMH.
At the heart of the challenge laid out in the book is Cooke's distillation of the definition of marketing: The art of surrounding a product, organisation or person with a powerful and compelling story. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a powerful and compelling story, we don't need to find it, or create it, just tell it! The task seems to me to be local churches finding answers to the question, "how do we tell the powerful and compelling story of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our communities? "If we replace the word "brand" in our thinking with "image" or "reputation" the application of branding for the church seems a lot closer to home. Branding Faith sets about answering the question, how does the church engage a media-driven world for the gospel?