Well, you all know I'm a big fan of Apple Computer and Whole Foods Market (for the latter, as an investor only as there's no such store in France yet), but for the first time someone is regrouping my 3 "babies" : these 2 companies and a photoways-like one, Shutterfly (though, to be honest, I had founded Photoways on the model of Shutterfly).
In a presentation at UBS's Global Communications and Technology conference Tuesday, Shutterfly's CEO, Jeff Housenbold, an ex Ebay executive, said the company aspired to join the ranks of premium lifestyle brands that draw well-to-do, devoted and evangelical customers, and whose products command a higher price than the competition, like Apple Computer Inc. and Whole Foods Market Inc...
Well, at least I didn't create Photoways by mistake, there's some homogeneity in my life and my way of thinking !
You know what, one of my biggest proudness at Photoways is those thousands of emails I have received over the years which enthusiastically express how great and wonderful a company Photoways is !
Isn't Photoways a lifestyle brand as well ?
Well, let's be realistic, though Jeff Housenbolf aspires to be such a brand, there's still a long long way to go. Indeed, this business is great as it deals with emotions, but as Shutterfly is today, it really has few attributes of a true lifetstyle brand. It may become one, like Photoways may become one, but that will be thanks to great unique innovations. And it takes time.
I have set the path for strong innovation at Photoways, that's in the DNA of the company, now the name of the game in this business really is to fasten the pace.
You know Moo...do you know Qoop? so what?
Posted by: J. | November 23, 2006 at 06:13 PM