naming research: is your product name a winner?

You’ve worked hard to produce a fabulous new food or drink product, but what should you call it?

Choosing the right name could make or break your product – so how do you avoid the pitfalls and land on something that’s new, engaging and mouth-wateringly good? 

When good names go bad.

We’ve all seen the images on Facebook; those ridiculously named foods that probably sounded great in their mother tongue but just don’t translate. Or those older product names that haven’t survived the test of time.

Of course it’s impossible to see the future and understand the slang used by every nation on earth, but there are ways to avoid giving your product a terrible or embarrassing name.

The important thing at this stage is to develop a short list and not become too attached to any one name.

Research matters.

Research can, of course, help identify a winning name or create a short list of maybes. At PLAY, we believe that good research is all about asking the tough questions but it’s also about using an approach that really identifies the cream of the crop.

Naturally, each individual will be drawn to a particular name based on personal preferences, and that’s important. Having positive feelings towards a brand name may make the customer more likely to buy and recommend your product.

Just liking a name is not enough.

You should also consider:

• Brand match: You need to ensure the product name fits with your brand and connects with it seamlessly. There’s no point creating a product name people love that feels out of character with your overall marketing message.
• Memorable: A good product name sticks in the customer's mind; a great brand name becomes synonymous with the actual product. Think Weet-Bix and Coke. Your brand name must be easy to remember so that the next time someone is writing their shopping list, your product is top of mind.
• Too cool: Sometimes wackier names are preferred because they sound cool or because they’re new and different. However, it’s important to avoid creativity for creativity’s sake.
  
• Pronounceable: Obviously if your target market can't pronounce the brand name, they won't ask for it. It's important to qualify how easy it is for your customers to pronounce your product name.
• Associations: It's vital to assess what negative and positive associations exist with your new product name. These latent associations can be powerful indicators of a potential name’s success.
• Think global: You should also consider how your name will perform overseas. Don’t assume that just because another country speaks English, your product name will work – often, cultural usage plays a big part.
  
  

Our approach.

We use a variety of research methods and, unlike other research companies, we don’t take an ‘either/or’ approach to using quantitative and qualitative techniques. We blend the two methods to create a smarter hybrid research tactic. This integrated approach leads to richer, more usable customer data.

It’s important to ensure your product name resonates with your target market. Not just the marketing department, not just upper management, and not just the CEO’s wife.

The 'thank God' factor.

We’ve carried out naming research for a number of large brands and regularly highlight some real concerns about the ‘preferred’ names. So often it’s the simplest things that are overlooked because the marketing team is just too close to the product.

Through research, your customers are able to flag some possible disasters before it’s too late.

For us, it’s a great feeling when a client shouts, "Thank God we did the research!" during one of our research debriefs.

The legal stuff.

Of course it’s vital to make sure you dot your ‘i’s and cross your ‘t’s when naming a product. If the name is already in use and trademarked, it’s best to find out before you send the packaging to print!

So although it’s painful when the legal department send you back to the drawing board, you know it’s for your own good.

Over to you.

Have you had (or heard of) a bad product-naming experience? Comment below and let us know.

At PLAY we have a tried and tested product-naming methodology that works whether you’ve developed a whizz bang new wonder jam, some perfectly posh cat food or an awesome new organic juice.

If you'd like to any help or advice, get in touch! Just call us on 02 8097 0200 or drop us an email at hello@playmr.com.au. We're always happy to help.