This weekend kicked off T-Ball for my 5 year-old Carter. He looked so cute in his baseball gear! Brian’s coaching the team and I’m the team parent (of course).
As excited as we were to go to the first practice yesterday, we ALL were even more excited to go see Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace in 3D.
Brian LOVES Stars Wars and has since childhood.
His love rubbed off on Carter and now they both watch the movies A LOT, play with our Star Wars Figures, and collect the Star Wars Lego sets. Because they play Star Wars so much, Natalie got into it, and soon it became a family thing.
For this particular movie, we bought the VHS tape when it was new, then we bought the DVDs as they were released, now it’s onto the Blue Ray Boxed Set … We saw this movie in theaters twice when it was originally released and have watched it at home at least 25 times.
But now it’s 3D. It’s a new, different way to experience the movie, and of course we had to see it. This is a brand than has successfully spanned generations and continues to thrive with new brand experiences.
Experiences are what build brands. Positive experiences and fond memories are what sustain brands over time and transfer brand loyalty to new generations.
While working in Natalie’s classroom this week as Art Docent, some kids were talking about weekend plans. Natalie told them we were going to see Star Wars I: Phantom Menace in 3D and I was surprised that only a couple little boys were interested and excited.
Most boys would rather talk about the Lord of the Rings movies or Harry Potter. This peaked my interest. Boys who don’t love Star Wars? What! They exist?! I had to learn more. It turns out, the boys who were excited about Star Wars had Dads who love Star Wars. The girls who were interested had Dads and brothers who love Star Wars.
Parents, though their childhood memories and experiences, are passing their love for this brand onto their children, and George Lucas is cultivating a whole new generation of brand enthusiasts by constantly creating new brand experiences.
I’m sure all six movies will be released in 3D — and we’ll see every one. We’ll also probably buy the boxed set with 3D glasses at home some day … And you better bet we’re planning another trip to Disneyland to ride the new Star Tours ride. I hate that ride (makes my stomach turn), but I already know I’ll be waiting while Brian, Natalie, and Carter ride it over and over to experience each alternate viewing option!
Clearly, this brand is one to pay attention to.
About Jennifer Bourn
Why Do I Need a Brand? Why Does My Business Need a Brand?
THINK BIG and Invest in Yourself
Ali Brown Shine Event: Why I Said No to Advice From a Billionaire Entrepreneur Coach
Is Your Business a Real Business Or A Hobby That Happens To Make Money
How to Use Google Places Even if You Are a Virtual Business
There are designers that can make it pretty, coders that can make it work, and marketers that can make it sell — at 
Bourn Creative is a 
What a great way to share the impact a brand can have. I vividly remember going to see the movies in the theaters when I was a child. My brother was a HUGE fan. I lost touch as I got older but completely respect the love for the movies. They were masterfully written and produced. It is amazing what a difference creativity can have on the people.
We love them! Even Natalie has totally gotten into Star Wars just because of how much Brian loves it. Now they all have matching Return of The Jedi shirts – hers is pink and it’s so cute!
I have always been a huge Star Wars fan, and really a fan of anything sci-fi. Thank goodness my husband LOVES the same. Yes, our kids do, too. We have passed down our love of many things, starting with music. My husband used to bring the kids CD’s like Boz Scaggs Greatest Hits, and my kids thought they were the latest music!
With so many ways that technology infiltrates our lives, it seems a lot easier for a brand to hit us in many ways!
Amy – exactly! And By keeping us engaged over time, we’re spending more and more money on branded merchandise. Brian just ordered a custom Star Wars Darth Vader case for his iPhone and I just ordered him Stars Wars Themed Moleskin journals to keep notes in :) It’s the same for us with Legos. Brian and I both saved our Legos from when we were kids and that’s how our kids got started playing with them!
I used to love Star Wars as a kid – but lost touch with it. I think it’s a great way to get back into our imaginations and look at life through kid’s eyes. We all need that. And Jennifer, great way to drive home a point on branding and how a brand can really have an impact through the actual product and then the loyalty it creates. Great article, thanks for sharing. Your kids are so adorable – beautiful family :) xo
Thanks Brenda!
I love this piece Jen, “Positive experiences and fond memories are what sustain brands over time.”. As I am in the process of updating my brand and re-focusing my target market, I am reminded of how important this is. Particularly for us service based businesses, people don’t work with us because the need whatever title we are. They work with us because of the solutions we offer and the experience we create for them. Thanks for fun reminder!
My boys love light saber wars, and I love the evolution of language when kids go from saying light “saver” to “saber”.
OMG … The transition from “saver” to “saber” is the funniest :) My kids argued with us forever that it really was “saver” Because when they “turn it off” the light gets saved inside the handle.