Remember Reggie Jackson? The self-proclaimed “Straw that stirs the drink” and New York Yankees right fielder was larger than life when first he crashed upon the city as the team’s newest big star free agent in 1976. Reggie was loud. He was confident. Many called him arrogant. He created tension in the clubhouse and got more than his share of boos from fans and the NY sports media. And he made a lot of bold promises.
But here’s the thing about bold promises: they demand bold delivery.
And Reggie delivered on his in the 1977 World Series on the biggest stage in baseball: Yankee Stadium.
In Game 6, Reggie hit home runs on three consecutive swings with a four-pitch walk mixed in. What many don’t know is that he also hit one on his final at bat in Game 5. Four swings, four home runs. And, in doing so, Reggie personally delivered New York its first World Series Championship in 15 years.
In that moment, the brand Reggie built with swagger, confidence, and, ultimately, clutch performance enshrined him in the so-called annals of baseball history. Love him or hate him, “Mr. October” kept his promise.
Every brand begins with a promise. Delivering on yours might not be under the biggest spotlight with millions of people watching. It’s at networking events. It’s in the free advice you offer. It’s (hopefully) on your home page. It’s communicated through your actions and measured by your reliability. Maybe your stage isn’t a rocking House that Ruth Built on a crisp October evening. Perhaps it’s during a presentation, or attending a trade show, or leading a team meeting. No matter how small the audience, it’s no less meaningful.
Making your own history doesn’t need big, dramatic moments. You just need to do what you said you’d do every time you step up to the plate. That’s how you build trust. That’s how you grow loyalty. That’s when your audience starts to believe in you.
And that’s how great brands are made.
Reggie Jackson talked a big game and then hit three bombs when it mattered the most. That’s why people still talk about him nearly 50 years later.
Remember, it’s a long season. Take it one game at a time and stick to your routine (and your promise). Get your reps in between games and we’ll see you in October.
“They don’t boo nobodies.”
— REGGIE JACKSON
Ready to write some history of your own?
Step up to the batter’s box and we’ll deliver our best pitch. Contact us today and let’s put a game plan together.
Related Posts
Treat your brand like a living, breathing document
The best brands are not meant to sit on a shelf like just another historic artifact. The ink might fade over time. But the promise endures.
The tagline: Your stake in the ground
The tagline is not about who you are or what you sell. It’s about them: your target audience. So, you better make sure it’s concise, direct and memorable, so they recall it the each time they hear your name.
Invest in your brand now and spend less time and energy convincing people later.
These businesses each learned from the beginning the power of a consistent and meaningful brand strategy. They rightly prioritized their branding efforts as a long-game investment instead of just another expense.