Every year, hundreds of “concerned” individuals and groups attempt to ban books that they find offensive or controversial. Their reasons are as varied as the list itself, and include things like racial issues, violence, sexual situations or dialogue, the portrayal of lifestyles different than their own, and even religious and political viewpoints among others.
In response to this, the American Library Association (ALA) created Banned Books Week. The annual event, which took place this year from September 24-October 1, celebrates both the freedom to read and the freedom of expression as protected under the First Amendment.
As I clicked through the ALA’s list of banned and challenged classics, I saw my entire high school reading list and a lost opportunity to argue against reading a few of them. Forty-six of the so-called top 100 novels of the 21st century have been under attack at one point or another. Fitzgerald and Salinger each made the cut and Steinbeck, Hemingway and Orwell were all repeat offenders.
One reason, among many, Of Mice and Men was challenged was due to readers’ perceptions of the author, John Steinbeck, whose patriotism was called into question. An interesting accusation given that his other classic, The Grapes of Wrath, was titled after lyrics from the Battle Hymn of the Republic. But, that’s beside the point.
The fact is that the way people perceived him to be, is what they ended up believing. In essence, they judged a book by its cover and dismissed its intellectual value.
In today’s marketplace, perception is everything — it’s the sum of the user’s experience, thoughts and feelings about your brand, and it has the power to make or break you.
Think about Apple’s image. How do you perceive them? The first words that came to mind were innovative and intuitive. Even before their products become available, the buzz around them is deafening.
Being mindful of the market’s perception of your brand is critical to the success of it. Now, think about your brand. What words would your customers use to describe it? What words would you use to describe it? What story does it tell?
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Comments
Spot on Natalie. The perception of a brand precedes it. The audience's perception is based on experiences, and/or shared experiences, they have with the brand. Once tarnished it is very difficult to repair. That's why it's so important to spend the time and effort to define the brand up front, its values, it's benefits and how that translates into the promise to the customer. A company has to ask themselves if they have the ability to deliver on that promise. If not, then their position has to be re-evaluated. It has to be authentic, honest and attainable.