The other day I was finishing a work out, and as I wiped the sweat away from my forehead I did what I almost always naturally do during a work out - I twisted the cap and took a drink of my favorite grape-flavored G2. As I was taking a drink, something hit me right in the cerebral cortex of my mind - what is a G2 anyway? You see, all of my life I have been drinking Gatorade.
We all know the story of how it was invented by a college science professor at Florida University to help rehydrate the "Gators" during a big game, but why after so many years would they want to call their product something else? We know that G2 is the second generation of Gatorade and it is a bit different from the original because it is lower in calories per bottle. It's the healthier formula. However, I have noticed on television lately that even the original "Gatorade" is now being called and packaged as "G". So why?
Was it because the product wasn't selling? I find that hard to believe. I haven't stopped drinking it! Was it because the old logo and packaging were out of date? Probably not. Or was it because ever so often it's just a good idea to rebrand and repackage your product so that it feels fresh?
The other day I had lunch with a friend who has been pastoring the same teenage ministry for over 12 years. He's done a great job, but he has decided that it's time to rebrand. His youth logo is getting a face lift and his website is under going some much needed restructuring. I think it's vital that the church be fresh. Don't miss understand me. They are still putting the same Gatorade in the bottle that they always have. Nothing is wrong with the product. It's good stuff. It's only being repackaged in a sharper more impacting way.
So what about the ministry you are a part of - are you getting bored with it? Because if you are, then odds are everyone else is bored with it too. Does your church turn heads in your community anymore? Do people drive by and notice that you are making an effort to connect with them?
Have you ever noticed how often Pepsi, Coke and Mt. Dew change their can designs? They want to stay fresh. That's why I am a big believer in what my wife does at Creative Juice Graphic Design - because Kate has a passion for helping the church stay fresh and relevant. So the next time you drink a Gatorade, or sip on a soda - remember that the message we have for this world is so incredible that it's worth packaging it in a way that those who need it will be attracted to it.
*By the way, I hope you like the new look and design of my blog. Thanks for reading!
Good post man. I remember drinking those old cans of Pepsi. Remember when they tried to market Pepsi Clear? That's a good example of dumb marketing!
Posted by: Nick Jackson | April 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM