Fri 3 Jun 2005
I was browsing in a bookstore when this book caught my eye. If the author is correct that the purple cow is the key to all marketing, then Williams should be well positioned to continue to attract applicants in record numbers. I am no marketing guru, but I’m confident, at least, that our mascot beats the hell out of the “Lord Jeff.”
I think that if any of the entertaining cow sculptures (e.g., “cowctus”) on display in the streets of Chicago a few years ago are still available for sale, Williams should acquire one for the new student center lobby. I know my law school purchased one, and it immediately became the most popular item on campus. Not that anything is likely to top the WCMA eyes, or the legendary Rock Fan, which should have remained a permanent installation.
June 3rd, 2005 at 10:10 am
Yup, Purple Cow’s a pretty interesting book. Highly recommended for anyone trying to figure out how to market in this Internet, hyperlinked world.
Regarding your sculpture suggestion, the college could get a striking sculpture and keep it in the Williams family by hiring Walter Matia ‘75 (http://www.matia.com/). He did the a bull for Merrill Lynch headquarters and a set of Spanish Fighting Bulls for the Houston Texans fooball team; I’m sure he could do a cow for Williams.
June 3rd, 2005 at 10:24 am
If a cow sculpture is placed on campus, I sure hope it is a satirical one. Nothing could be more kitschy than a “Williams Fightin’ Cow”.
June 5th, 2005 at 2:33 pm
Williams already has a big, fiberglass purple and gold cow (she’s on wheels and can be connected to keg whereby the beer flows through the udders): http://www.williams.edu/images/mainpic11.gif