This post is for my fellow Midwesterners that have, over the last 60 hours, braved the cold, wind and driving snow from one of the worst blizzards seen in this area in almost a decade.

Last time Iowa had snow like Tuesday and Wednesday’s storm was 1992. I was still cuddled warm in my dorm room at Coe College and didn’t see the need to venture out in the gale winds.  We had plenty of TopRamen,  plenty of Keystone Light, and cable television to keep up safe, warm and entertained for the two days we were snowed into our dorms.  Heck, I didn’t even need to shower if I didn’t feel the urge (although roommates made it evidently clear that one was needed.)

This time, circumstances were different. I’m now a “bonafied” grown-up with responsibilities like a family, home, and a real job.  I have a mortgage to pay, I have children to protect and keep warm and fed.  I even have a dog that needs to be cared for – a long leap from the last blizzard that crippled the area.

So, how did I get through it this time?

Winter-time brands, baby…

Here are 16 brands I’d like to thank for getting me through “Death Storm 2009:”

• Jeep – My trusty Liberty was sideways a few times, but that was probably operator error … probably?
• Toro – Without my trusty snow blower, I would STILL be shoveling through the 4′ drifts.  I *heart* Toro!
  
• Old Navy – “Economical” Winter coat…  ’nuff said.
  
• Thinsulate – mmmm…  toasty warm snow pants for the kids (and dad).
• Encore Movie Channels – what a great way to decompress from 4 hours of pushing snow…  some mindless classics (Die Hard, Step Brothers, and soooo many more…)
  
• Cartoon Network & Nickelodeon – although the kids spent most of the time outside (crazy!)
  
• Apple Computers – without = SOCIAL MEDIA PANIC…  No blog Posts!  No Twitter? No Facebook? The end of civilization as we know it!  Cats and Dogs living together…  complete, mass-hysteria!
  
• Pillsbury – two words: Christmas Cookies!
  
• Pork – The Other White Meat – The kids and I made “home-made” pizza… Between you and me, nothing goes better on pizza than oodles of Italian pork sausage!
  
• Skittles – Can you say “Taste The Rainbow?” and, no they didn’t go on the pizza… dessert…  ?
  
• TownHouse Crackers – a perfect part of a late-night snack… (kickn’ Web site as well!)
  
• Shullsburg Cheese – and what else to top those crackers?  Say Cheese!  And they’re a Midwestern brand to boot!
• KCCI TV8 – my favorite weather tracking team…
  
• Iowa DOT – the folks in those big, yellow trucks that kept burying the end of my driveway… but I’m DARN glad they’re there to get the city moving again!
• Aspercream – ’cause I’m not 18 any more… (OR: go out strong and don’t let them see you limp back in.)
  
• Serta – the best way to end the day…
  

So, by the list, you can pretty much tell what I did over the last 60+ hours.  Brands defined my day…

What brands did you depend on to make it through the storm?  Were there some that you counted on more during the storm than any other day (Toro, Aspercream)?

Here’s hoping you all are happy, safe and warm. Just think…  this Winter just started.

Keep Cooking (warm thoughts)!
Andrew B. Clark
The Brand Chef

Having had a LOT of experience working with “Private Label” branding, I realize the reputations (or lack thereof) that “lower shelf” brands had when compared to national brand quality was a very sore subject for all – from the CEO’s to the lowly package designer (yours truly).  But in this economy, many stores and private label manufacturers are realizing that opportunity really does start with “R.” (Recession)…

I LOVE how this Nielsen wire article positions store brands (or private label)…  as the national brand (perceived as over-priced) solution as economic alternative.  They illustrate how stores like SUPERVALU have stepped up their efforts to provide “National Brand Quality” (NBQ?) with pumped up research, technology, and refined development.

“It was clear from the start that the facility itself is just part of the story. SUPERVALU has assembled a dream team of experienced product development specialists from across the industry. Many of the top managers moved to Minnesota from out of state, betting their careers on the success of the “Our Own Brands” program. Every person I talked to that day seemed convinced that they were working on something special.”

Think about how your shopping habits have changed.  Do you still buy national brand cookies, ice cream, or even bread? Do you still spit out up to 50% more for so-called quality clothing?  Do you shop more at TARGET than Eddie Bauer (and which one is talking bankruptcy)?

Food for thought…

Andrew B. Clark
– The Brand Chef