Brand Extensions

In class we were discussing brands and how important the establishment of brand loyalty and familiarity is when attempting to make a product successful. If a brand has value it has many advantages when dealing with customers. I wanted to focus on the ability to launch new products as brand extensions. A brand extension is a new product under the same brand name. This new product has an edge over other products just because of the brand name. Customers who have relied on the name before will be more accepting of this new product and more willing to try it out. This is especially the case for Google. Google has launched a number of services, including Google Earth; Google Finance; Froogle and Google Local. I was browsing on Slashdots website and came across a blog about a new product being launched by Google. It is called 1-800-Google Launches.
I thought it was amazing how Google is now getting off the Internet and into the phone land lines, cell phones and text messaging. Customers are now able to access information without a computer and without the use of a web browsing mobile device. Some features of this new search is you can find a business listing by category. Just say "pizza," for example. You can send the listing details to your mobile phone via SMS(text messaging). The service is fully automated, so it doesn't rely on human operators. It connects you directly to the business, free of charge. Pretty much everyone uses Google and they have a place in our hearts and we will be more likely to use this new product because of the brand value of Google.