In June, we featured an article on how Drug Dealers Use Marketing to Establish Brand Loyalty. As an example of that, there are recent reports that XBox 360 branded ecstacy is the latest 'it' brand.
Gamespot tells us that hijacked brands have been around for a while, "One of the more famous examples of logo-theft were the 'Mitsubishis' that were popular among West Coast clubs during the mid and late 1990s. Now, it appears the latest corporate brand that has been appropriated by drug dealers is one well known to gamers."
Xbox 360-Branded Ecstasy Popping Up
Xbox 360-Branded Ecstasy Popping Up
Trend Themes
1. Hijacked Branding - Disruptive opportunity for companies to protect their brand identity and reputation by implementing innovative security measures.
2. Designer Drugs - Innovative opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to develop new medications and treatments that could replace illicit drugs in the market.
3. Marketing for Illicit Products - Disruptive opportunity for agencies to develop strategies that could help legitimate businesses promote their products in an ethical way and prevent counterfeiting.
Industry Implications
1. Pharmaceuticals - Innovative opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to develop new medications and treatments that could replace illicit drugs in the market.
2. Security - Disruptive opportunity for security companies to design innovative solutions that could prevent hijacking of corporate identities and brands.
3. Advertising - Disruptive opportunity for agencies to develop strategies that could help legitimate businesses promote their products in an ethical way and prevent counterfeiting.