Name for Blogging the Big Ten

Submitted by Seth on

The Big Ten is going to keep its name because of branding.

But we're fans, nay, bloggers. We get to call things funny names, like Miami (Not That Miami) and The Troy Trojans of Troy (We're from Troy!) and The Ohio State Stinkynuts.

So let's start a meme, or at least a consistent funny way to refer to our arithmetically nomic-challenged conference. Now taking nominations -- later I'll make a poll. If we come up with something cool I'll use that for all future blogging.

Quick OP nominations:

  • Big12Ten
  • Big Ten, Little Two
  • Big X
  • Big Ten Plus Two
  • Big Six Plus Six
  • Great Twelve
  • Laker's Dozen
  • Big Dozen
  • Big Ten+Big One+Big Eight=12
  • Big~Ten
  • Big>10

MGoRobo

June 17th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

I highly doubt they'll end up changing it.  It's been 11 for years now, and as mentioned, they do have their brand to keep.  It's been the Big Ten for over 100 years.  However, I'm all for a meme.

I remember there was a blog post on ESPN that was the Big Ten logo with MS Paint (plus Northwestern) written underneath.  We could extend that and have the Big Ten Logo with (plus Northwester)...(plus Indiana).

For that list, though, I like B10 + 2.

joeyb

June 17th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

It makes me sad that more people didn't like this one. If I come up with a joke that involves programming AND football, I don't really have very many people to share it with without explaining it. That means I have to sit in my office laughing to myself.

OysterMonkey

June 17th, 2010 at 12:50 PM ^

And then keep adding on as we expand:

13 teams: The Big Thirtwelevten

14 teams: The Big Fourthirtwelevten

P.S. This would make more sense if I had thought of calling the 11 member Big Ten "The Big Elevten."

MikeUM85

June 17th, 2010 at 1:43 PM ^

People are talking about holding onto the brand. Have any of you ever done any branding work? An organization's name is part of its brand, but not the same thing.  Many companies have changed names, usually doing so in order to improve the brand.  For example, in 2001 Anderson Consulting (a famous name in its sector) became Accenture.  In 2002, KPMG Consulting became Bearing Point.  

Of course there are many other examples of name changes done in order to distance the company from some prior negative association (Worldcomm to MCI, ValuJet to Airtran, Philip Morris to Altria, etc.).

The point is that when the name no longer fits, it can be changed and if it's done right the brand is not lost. In fact it should be improved. 

Having a conference name with a number in it that no longer has any meaning is poor brand management.  The conference needs a new name.  If I were advising them, I'd suggest choosing one without a number to avoid this in the future.  They phase in the new name over time to transfer the brand value to it. Very doable.

By the way, this site lists some of the famous corporate name changes.  My favorite is Yahoo, which was originally Jerry's Guide to the World Wide Web, and is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle".

MGoRobo

June 17th, 2010 at 2:13 PM ^

Yes, but in this case it's been the Big Ten since forever ago.  Also, Big Ten football is known for being traditional, power football.  If we change the name we leave all that behind.

Yes, some companies change names to improve their branding...but the Big Ten doesn't have much to improve on in terms of the brand awareness.  Promotion and placement matter...correctness not so much.

Apple wouldn't switch to...iApple.  BP wouldn't switch to Bloody Petroleum (though it might be a good idea to switch to something completely different after they get over this disaster).  So the Big Ten shouldn't switch.  And that's me...idk what others think

5150

June 17th, 2010 at 10:27 PM ^

Tried to be clever and use the first letter of all member's names, but the best I could do was: I'M PIMP MINNOW. May be clever for a user name but a conference, not so much.