Blue_sophie

August 23rd, 2015 at 6:29 PM ^

I totally agree with Harbaugh's assessment of the current generation of college kids. Not just in football but in life. For all of its ills, I think digital media has really given them a big-picture understanding of the world.

Joined: 02/22/2015

MGoPoints: 2766

HelloHeisman91

August 23rd, 2015 at 6:45 PM ^

Harbaugh really is the perfect hire at the perfect time.  When I hear him say that he doesn't like the word "brand" I believe him.  It doesn't seem like something a PR person told him to work in.  I hope he adds the word "elite" to his list because that bugs the shit out of me for some reason. 

Joined: 08/05/2009

MGoPoints: 46190

pz

August 23rd, 2015 at 6:54 PM ^

I love Harbaugh, but without a "brand," a degree from Michigan or any other named institution would be worthless. That's why the school you choose matters - its reputation, or functionally, it's brand. That said, with regard to Brandon shenanigans, he had a messed up interpretation of what might add to brand value and specifically how that pertained to our athletic department. So while I like the sentiment of criticizing the bullshit that the last AD rained down upon us, I am absolutely 100% inarguably a massive fan of the University of Michigan BRAND. Any alumnus who argues otherwise has something twisted.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3766

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:25 PM ^

I think the problem was with the way Brandon used it. The brand of UM is excellence, both academically, extracurricularly, athletically. And it's there because of the excellent faculty, alumni, and student. The brand is not 'a Super Bowl atmosphere at football games.



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Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 40856

LSAClassOf2000

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:26 PM ^

I think I get what you're saying in the sense that Michigan - as a university and for many years as a football program - had that wonderful problem of brand equity in a similar sense to what certain corporations have enjoyed. I don't think it ever lost a step on the academic side, but the football brand was damaged in a very perceptible way by Brandon and it showed in both the goodwill and the results. Granted, the goodwill and results aren't corporate-type things in the case of an athletic department, but the problem was evident certainly. 

I don't think anyone here isn't a fan of the brand in the broad sense, but the brand was definitely damaged under Brandon. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130501

F5

August 24th, 2015 at 8:44 PM ^

Nike is the "brand" but it's reputation is that it had kids in sweat shops make their shoes and clothes. See the difference now. The "Brand" DB wanted was the merchandise, sales, and recognition that comes with the block M. Our "Reputation" is that we are one hell of a school in several facets of education with a long list of notable contributors to modern day law, engineering, and medicine. On top of that, we have a great tradition of being extremely dominant in several sports.. Not sure what is so hard to understand about the difference between brand and reputation.

Joined: 01/18/2011

MGoPoints: -90

SF Wolverine

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:08 PM ^

and completely without pretense.  I love fact that he will frequently say something funny, and not react to the fact that it is funny until others do.  Looking forward to the ride.

Joined: 10/04/2010

MGoPoints: 24866

jttheblue

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:45 PM ^

Harbaugh signing autographs before the 1987 game against Long Beach State. Found this at oldnews.aadl.org. They have a lot of old Michigan football photos.

Joined: 08/23/2015

MGoPoints: 9

Njia

August 23rd, 2015 at 7:58 PM ^

The game that qualifies in my personal record book as one of the Top 5 I've Never Been So Drunk In My Life days.

Lessons learned from that weekend:

  • When tipping back a bota bag to drink a Jack-and-Lime Juice combo for as many seconds as points Michigan has on the board, don't do it when we play a tomato can
  • You really can black out and not remember where you are or how you got there
  • Jack and Lime Juice is called a "Snake Bite" for a reason
  • A technicolor yawn in one's sophomore year is much more about the quality of the experience than the quantity of times it happens
  • The old hangover prevention standby of two Motrin and lots of water before succumbing to sleep has a limit
  • When passing out on the bathroom floor, it is always better to do it early on a Sunday when no one else is awake.

Joined: 09/15/2009

MGoPoints: 35773

brettsoz

August 23rd, 2015 at 10:07 PM ^

the "Michigan football brand" and yelled at my computer "don't ever use the word brand and Michigan football in the same sentence EVER AGAIN". Harbuagh's answer was fantastic and echoed my thoughts exactly. Bye Bye Brandon!

Joined: 10/31/2014

MGoPoints: 312

cutter

August 24th, 2015 at 9:01 AM ^

Perhaps you need to talk to Jim Hackett and John Beilein about using the words "Michigan" and "brand" in the same sentence because they have both recently uttered them in a manner that David Brandon wound certainly approve--and apparently Jim Harbaugh couldn't because it confuses him and he doesn't understand it (words Harbaugh used in the televised interview shown above).

From a July 8 article in the Detroit News about the Michigan-Nike deal:

"One of the very notable athletic directors in the country said, 'I just want to set your mind in the right context – this is one of the most valuable brands,' and he paused, 'in sports,'" Hackett said. "And I waited, and he said, 'I'm talking about auto racing, golf, baseball, NFL, NBA -- the Michigan brand, Jim, is one of the most valuable assets in sports.' I had a lot of pride in hearing that, but it really got me to think in terms of what does the most valuable brand in sport deserve in a partnership?"

See http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/201…

Here's an excerpt from a Scout article on 7 July:

"Michigan and Nike have a long and storied history together,” Beilein said in a statement issued by the athletic department. “The traditions and reputations of both brands make this relationship one of the best in college athletics. I am thankful to be working with them again as we represent Michigan, Nike and the Jordan Brand for many years to come."

See http://www.scout.com/college/michigan/story/1561533-beilein-pay-respect…

As far as Harbaugh is concerned, this is the second time he's said that he doesn't understand the "Michigan brand".  See that he conducted this interview in front of a wall that the block M and a picture of Michigan Stadium with the words "The Big House" on it, it indicates--at best--a real lack of awareness of his immediate surroundings.  

But seriously, Fox Sports has a bus (the "Harbus") going from Ann Arbor to Salt Lake City between now and the opening season game with all the trademarks of his "brand" painted all over it.  Is he having trouble figuring that out?

I think we all know that Michigan does have a brand and the university uses it on college football Saturdays (and Thursdays) and during men's basketball games to promote itself on television to the alums, to the donors and to potential students who will consider applying to U-M (and their parents).  The winged helmet, "The Victors", Crisler Center, Michigan Stadium, the Fab Five, etc. are all part of the Michigan brand--for better or worse.  If Habaugh want to play the rube about the Michigan brand, then that's fine.  But it's hardly a reason to celebrate.

 

 

 

 

Joined: 07/07/2008

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