Craftsman and Stanley, two very large and powerful tool brands, both kicked off new marketing transformations earlier this month. With Craftsman, the changes look to be part of a new advertising campaign, while Stanley’s changes are more about their brand image, identity, and positioning.
Craftsman: Made to Make
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Craftsman is looking to reconnect with DIYers and makers. Who are makers? Everyone from hobbyists to professionals. It’s one of those broad and vague descriptions that everyone defines differently.
Professional prop artist? You’re a maker. Crafter? You’re a maker. Electronics hobbyist? You’re a maker.
A recent Fox business article describes how Craftsman is seeking increase their connection with customers through social media. They’re looking to inspire and spark greater engagement with customers and potential customers.
It will be interesting to see where they go with this.
I feel that Craftsman is definitely on a better path than they were six months ago. They might not be on the best path, at least not yet, but with a little coaxing they might just get there soon.
Stanley: Performance in Action
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Stanley has introduced a new brand identity that will cover their tools, services, and other businesses. Their last logo redesign was in 1995, but it was time for change.
The angular cur in the letter N in Stanley produces an upward arrow-like triangle that speaks to the concept of “Action.”
In addition to the new logo, it looks like Stanley designers have worked on new packaging for some of the brand’s signature hand tools. The products themselves seem to have been updated as well.
Personally I think that performance in action sounds better on paper than when I say it aloud. And if I repeat it too many times, it starts to sounds strange on paper as well. But the logo itself is a strong visual, and I really like the new look.
(If you look closely, the LeverLock tape measure seems to have a new write-on label feature, and the FatMax tape measure says AutoLock, but doesn’t seem to be a squeeze-release design like the LeverLock.)
Stan
Should be Craftsman: Mostly made in China.
The Stanley new name is better though.
steve fritz
Ditto
Brad Justinen
“The Stanley new name is better though.”
“Ditto”
what!?!
Stan
Compared to Craftsman new logo, the new Stanley logo is slightly better. At least the potential connotation tools in action makes more sense.
Obviously, not the best design, but it’s a step above the new Craftsman design.
Stuart
Craftsman didn’t really change their logo, at least not universally, and actually have a couple of different styles.
I didn’t intend for anyone to compare Craftsman and Stanley’s new marketing strategy shifts, and only combined them in a single post to avoid two like-topic posts on the same day.
kevin
the new N hurts my eyes. Craftsman needs to focus on good tools for a good value, and try to limit the amount of stuff made overseas.
Stan
I would love to see the day that Craftsman limits the amount of products that they have under the brand Craftsman, but I am not sure that will occur though. Assuming Sears is around for that time though.
jesse
Sears needs to do a lot more with Craftsman than update the image with this ‘Made to Make’ BS. A lot, lot more.