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100 Most Creative People In Business (# 1)

Jonathan Ive

Senior Vice President of Industrial Design

Apple

Ten years ago, before the iPod and iPhone became objects of the world's electro-lust, Jonathan Ive talked about his first Apple blockbuster, the iMac. The machine could not have been a more radical departure from the ubiquitous beige box PC: a desktop computer in bright candy colors with a see through shell showing its inner machinery. The iMac became the top selling computer in the United States.

Fast Company defines his overarching design principles as "simplicity, accessibility, honesty and enjoyment."

My love affair with Apple is legendary. An early adopter of just about everything they produce, Apple technology underpins both Rogue Industries and Slant Marketing. iMacs, MacBooks, iPods and iPhones are my weapons of choice.

Apple "gets it" because Jonathan "gets it". More than just a box or operating system, they have created an organic interpretation of a mechanical beast. Even die hard PC fans admit that Apple redefined the "box" and created lust worthy hardware. The OS? Oh yeah, all it does is work. Every day.

More info at www.fastcompany.com

Fast Company: 100 Most Creative People in Business

Everyone loves Top 100 lists!

We can disagree, argue and question the intelligence of the creator, but we all love the suspense.

Fast Company created a list of their 100 Most Creative People in Business and I'm going to feature a handful that I consider to be true "Change Agents" and "Playmakers".

Here's how they qualified their rankings:

"There are no rules about creativity. This made the construction of FastCompany’s list of the 100 most creative people in business a tricky task. They looked for dazzling new thinkers, rising stars, and boldface names who couldn’t be ignored. They avoided people they have profiled in the recent past, whether Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook or designer Philippe Starck. They emphasized those who's creativity addresses a larger issue – from the future of our energy infrastructure to the evolution of philanthropy to next-generation media and entertainment. And while they could not see how lauding Steve Jobs would show how much creativity, we also could not ignore the outsized impact Apple has had on our business culture.

That’s why Apple’s chief designer heads the list at No. 1...."

Branding!

The strength of a company's brand is integral to marketing success. Obviously. 

Here are some notable companies who were honored in the Top 100 Brands of 2008:

1. Coca-Cola

Olympic sponsorship boosted its profile in Asia, where sales are surging. 

4. GE

A GE that doesn’t make lightbulbs or dishwashers? GE has announced intentions to spin off the brand’s iconic units as it focuses on global infrastructure.

9. Disney

Disney’s marketing machine turned High School Musical into a tween girl blockbuster. It’s hoping the new Disney XD cable channel will bring in the boys.

15. American Express

Despite rising U.S. delinquencies, AmEx continues to woo elite customers. It ranked first in total purchase volume and cash advances to U.S. cardholders. 

24. Apple

Its products are hotter than ever, in part because of price cuts and clever advertising.

36. Canon

The copier and camera brand continues to sell well despite recession worries. It’s spending heavily to advertise its range of video and digital cameras.

39. Kellogg's

Thanks to a double-digit hike in ad spending, the cereal maker has done the remarkable: raised prices despite a consumer slowdown, widening its margins.

71. Rolex

Business is booming in Asia and the Mideast as the luxury watchmaker enjoys strong demand.

 

85. Starbucks

Still strong abroad, Starbucks hopes new coffee machines, nutritious smoothies, and the shuttering of 600 unprofitable stores will help in the U.S.

89. Smirnoff

Worldwide sales have stayed strong. In the U.S., Smirnoff is tying its brand to all things hip hop.

Fact or Fiction?

Test your trivial trivia knowledge! Answers are at the bottom. Good luck!

1. Stress will turn your hair gray

2. Running on a treadmill puts the same amount of stress on your knees than running on asphalt or pavement

3. Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different

4. According to U.S. laws, a beer commercial can never show a person actually drinking beer

5. When it comes to working out, you've got to feel some pain if you're going to gain any benefits

6. Organized crime is estimated to account for 10% of the United States’ national income

7. Cravings are your body's way of telling you it needs something

8. To sell your home faster, and for more money, paint it yellow

9. Acne is caused by not washing properly

10. Caffeine improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks

Answers (Don't Cheat!): 1. Fiction 2. Fact 3. Fact 4. Fact 5. Fiction 6. Fact 7. Fiction  8. Fact 9. Fiction 10. Fact