I think they probably spend very little/nothing on advertising, but they do a lot of marketing: they invest a lot of time in public speaking, they have a large website, news, up and coming events, memberships, they solicit donations…etc… They even have a shop where you can buy a t-shirt with their new FSF 30th year logo.
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Exactly, which harkens back to my point that the advertising (“marketing” if you like, although I recognize the difference) which I have found effective (i.e., cost/benefit) is that which I made myself.
Ioptio’s outreach activities are worth keeping, and your and David’s tv interviews, website, shirts and mugs. Most else is a waste of scarce resources. Paying professionals exhorbitant fees for marketing consulting or design is a waste. That’s how I see it and I’ll leave the subject at that.
We have mugs? I want one 
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You talkin to me 
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So my comparison with the FSF is unsound?
It just isn’t convincing if you’re using it to say this exercise should be abandoned. But TBH I don’t know precisely what you are arguing for (or against) in presenting this comparison. The rest of my response is not particularly directed at you for this reason, but explains why I think a brand, and advertising it will be important to the success of the project. I have though referred to your comparison with GNU in the assumption that you are suggesting it is not needed because GNU is such a success without it…
Personally I have objections to advertising - because - it works. It is manipulation, and that to me undermines free choice and personal autonomy. Not because all advertising is bad, but because much of it is, and that which isn’t often drowns out other messages for no other reason than someone is able to make a profit from so doing.
Ironically, one of the benefits of advertising/brand marketing of SAFEnetwork could be to shift that balance towards less manipulative business models. Ideally I’d like most advertising to be replaced by something that is more based on true experience, reliable data etc, and less easily used to manipulate people, and that is something I’m hoping SAFEnetwork might enable.
But we are where we are, and to achieve that kind of shift requires mass adoption in an environment where advertising and clever marketing still dominate, and are definitely some of the reasons that GNU et al are still not in the same category as Windows, Android etc, despite the many benefits most people here would attribute to them compared to commercially driven closed software.
Yes, I know Android is based on Linux, but that doesn’t undermine my point that it is the advertised big money (not FOSS at all) version that most people use, and have not chosen for any reason other than it was what came with another product (a phone) which they most likely bought under the influence of… advertising. How many people outside of enthusiasts like us have any idea that fairphone exists, let alone what it is, or why one might choose one? Why is that? It is because, in no small part, advertising drowns out other messages, even if they are a more reliable source than something which is largely based on wealth (ability to purchase ads) and maximising profit (enough manipulation to drive sales, tempered by the wish to not appear so terrible that it actually damages the brand and the bottom line).
So my hope is that we do enough to get heard, remembered, and establish recognition (yes, brand [shudder]) of the values and opportunities that SAFEnetwork related products and services offers to consumers - not just devs & content producers. I think we need something that devs & content producers are willing to sign up to+, because it conveys benefits - by association with the brand - that consumers will get to know, realise they want, then demand, and then disappears into the ubiquity of, why would you do it any other way.
EDIT: + sign up to in the sense that they adhere to the values it represents, and associate their products with this by using the marketing resources (eg logo, tagline etc) that this topic leads to.
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My sentiments zactly… So lets ask the question: Was the company/foundation formed to create the network? If the network fails to gain traction, does the company/foundation then risk failure?
While their functions are completely separate, their reasons for being are one in the same…“privacy, security, freedom”
I like the thought bubble/cloud that’s next to maidsafe on some branding. But add ‘safe’ inside it with the decentralized web lightly in the background. If I had any image experience I’d mock it up but I do not, not one bit.
On reflection I wonder there are two threads.
There’s a people as individual interest and I wonder “privacy, security and freedom” are ideal for that.
Then there’s potential business interest… which by rights will be the large user base.
I’ve not seen the OP suggest focus on one audience but perhaps the business audience is one that needs brand, that business manager can relate to and which communicates simple business interests… those beyond and above individual interests. Companies are rarely idealistic in the way that “privacy, security and freedom” appeal to; so, a more practical focus within a professional brand could be well worthwhile, without that needing to limit the also use that is sense of community and dynamic that are individuals.
I wonder that whoever contributes the branding need to think beyond niche and perhaps that is where the expertise in professional branding and design goes beyond my interest in it. Having brand that communicates opportunity to business could be significant. I’m less convinced that any branding appeals to individuals more than functionality and ease of use.
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Had a quick look into similar logos. The combination between a 6-side-polygon and an S is quite popular and used in different ways:
only one “similarily” appearing enterprise so far:
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Here is one logo I came up with. I have exams coming up 
, so I’ll keep this brief.
- Easily recognisable
- Shows how it has something to do with technology
- And it’s called safenet (I know that term is copyrighted but it is going to be used either officially or unofficially)
- Isn’t too vague for a logo
I might not have time to answer your questions yet, but I’ll have plenty time after 22nd June.
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cool…like it - but it’s more electrical authority than network authority. an idea…change the 2 prong plugs to 8 pin connectors - cool idea though.
I see three sides
-
The projects values and aims
-
The technology itself
-
Marketability and uptake
I cannot see either the feelgood factor, or the technology driving marketability and uptake… i.e dont see billions of people caring too much about these truths.
So in the sense you want a brand for the Network, by all means use values, aims, technology to define it…but dont expect marketability and uptake and don’t use the Safecoin logo.
Of course you want marketability and uptake and I believe that Safecoin is the vehicle for that…it has the properties that can give the sizzle and buzz that a new paradigm requires.
One tagline (and there will be many) for Safecoin:
Safecoin - It’s SAFE money…with all it’s imagery of protection and security, it’s exactly what the world needs now…a place where your money can at least hold it’s value and can act as cash in a time where the robbers are looking to outlaw it.
I think Safecoin is amazingly powerful and as such should be split out from Maidsafe Ltd and put under the Maidsafe Foundation, where a sub body/ committee would drive the branding and marketing of Safecoin. Being a non profit with dividends flowing in from the price/ value of Safecoin, it makes sense this is the place to drive Safecoin to it’s maximum potential.
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All useful for the brief for the competition. Thanks. It is of course up to the community to decide on the best design.
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Yes this is true to some extent, but it doesn’t come first - at all.
“The point of branding is to get to the underlying ideas that best represent the SAFE Network in order that we produce a design that reflects the projects values and aims.”
However it must be presented in a way the way the target audience, thinks, has wants and drives. One must, in essence, appeal to their way of being. So to turn it around the message must be short and appealing
to what they can do with SAFE. Not what SAFE is first and then beg them to change their habit and views to adopt SAFE. It doesn’t work this way.
Also I agree not to use the Safecoin logo nor a liking emblem either.
The simple S emblems I’ve seen represent nothing and do not appeal
to the other senses beyond the logical brain. Which for me classifies it as a boring business logo in the administrative sector - or a utility company that
cleans my drain. Being strait to the point and saving space and time.
Here’s how great brands appeal to the wants.
Nike: Just do It!
Ads about winning and breaking barriers with their shoes.
Coca Cola: Taste the Feeling.
Ads that sell a sexy/happy… lifestyle you can have too.
Google, measures it’s succes on how fast people leave their service
once they got what they want; the faster they stop searching and click
to leave the serp, the more people come back. The more they use Google.
Apple: Think Different (still applies)
Like Apple google appeals to the wants for fast result and the “don’t
make me think I’m stupid” mantra. Sells a better life.
SAFE: SAFE Space ( just had to) All About You < working title.
Run and style your life in the upcoming age of self realisation…
Take control, not be controlled. < These are thoughts for now.
Best if if people came to this realisation them selves. Thats powerful.
Another thing is the message comes first. Example; epic music we see
athletes, drama and flashing light. A crescendo followed by tears of happiness then we see > Just do It! > Nike > logo…
SAFE actually has a lot going for it. The dominant players are hard at work at losing face with all their censorship. In other words they are paying for SAFEs goodwill. Contrary to what they are telling us we want more freedom and more privacy. This trend is visible all over the place.
Back to real values.
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If Maidsafe considers using money from the extra generated MSC, I would consider using bounties in MSC only. Announce the bounty on bitcointalk, there are capable artists looking for this kind of competitions.
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MaidSafe may wish to minimize the amount of extra MaidSafecoin they liquidate, either for this purpose or ongoing development, because of the need to repay in MaidSafecoin, 1 for 1, at a much later date. How much to spend when is a difficult call, and I think only they understand it well enough to make it.
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I’m somewhat lost on this forum at the moment it’s hard to keep up so many threads to stay on top of. What’s happening with this is it still a debate? Has the committee been selected? What’s the offcial direction/time frame if any?
Be yourself. Be powerful. Be SAFE.
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