Symbol status

Posted by Rob Walker on April 26, 2007
Posted Under: The Designed Life

I was reading something about the logo that represents Rotary clubs — “a brilliant advertising image, it has proved as lasting and recognizable as any corporate symbol,” historian Victoria de Grazia observes in passing in her 2005 book Irresisitible Empire — and ended up going over to Rotary International’s web site.

There I was surprised to find that you can get a Rotary-branded credit card. There’s a part of me that would like to break out the Rotary Platinum Plus Card at lunch with some trend-watcher or “thought leader,” just to see if anybody would notice, or react.

Further diversion may be found at MKTG Tumblr, and the Consumed Facebook page.

Reader Comments

This is similar to my wish to host a Red Hat event and invite agency colleagues. Blank stares all around.

#1 
Written By Irene on April 27th, 2007 @ 7:57 pm

I wrote about the Red Hat Society once. Astonishing story. Not my story, their story. I’d love to be in the room with a bunch of Red Hat ladies and a handful of marketing professionals. If it happens, let me know. I’ll pick up the tab, on my Rotary Platinum Plus.

I mean, I’ll expense it. But still.

#2 
Written By murketing on April 28th, 2007 @ 10:18 am

I wish I had seen your Red Hat story. A while ago, there was a national Red Hat gathering at the Gaylord Resort out in Grapevine. The Gaylord is a great hotel/convention center/themed setting where you can almost discover some kind of interesting group but because it’s between Dallas and Ft. Worth, no one in the cities proper really pays much attention.

#3 
Written By Irene on April 30th, 2007 @ 9:53 am

Sadly, you’ll probably never see this, but I just added the Red Hat Society consumed to this site’s archive:
http://murketing.com/?p=510

And a bit of trivia for you: My first post-college journalism job: writer for the Dallas Observer. So I know my metroplex.

Or rather, YOUR metroplex.

#4 
Written By murketing on April 30th, 2007 @ 8:47 pm

I did see it. Thanks for adding that to your archive — I enjoyed it. You old Metroplexian you.

#5 
Written By Irene on May 1st, 2007 @ 6:36 am
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