As we approach the twenty-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I think it appropriate to recognize all Berliners, those who were born there, lived and died in this fabulous city. Of course I want to also give a shout out to those, like me, who have visited and become champions of the people from this city brand. I want to especially highlight those who tore down the wall. Now those are brand champions!
I recall my first visit to West Germany back in 1979. I was living and teaching in Stuttgart then. I remember going to the train station every weekend to visit some new place and seeing trains waiting to depart for Berlin. I wondered what that experience must be like, and should I dare attempt to go there. During the cold war, those thoughts quickly vanished. So I headed south to places like Munich, Zurich, Venice and others.
Fast forward many years. I had the pleasure of visiting Berlin in 2006. There I had the opportunity to attend a multi-sensory brand symposium led by brand futurist, Martin Lindstrom. During that visit I had the chance to walk the many places near and where the Berlin Wall stood for nearly 30 years. Places like the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Humboldt University and other legendary spots. Of course I thought about the train station in Stuttgart and wished I had given it a shot.
Berlin, heute Sie Sind ein Marke Vorkaempfer!
Rex Whisman
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