Monday, May 11, 2009

L.L. Bean vs. Life is Good: Battle of the Brands

Creativity must have hit an all-time low at L.L. Bean, because their newest series appears to be a blatant ripoff of the Life is Good clothing line. L.L. Bean's summer catalogue features a new line called "The way life should be.".

Perhaps Columbia Sportswear or Eddie Bauer or Patagonia will produce their own versions as well.

Columbia sportswear: "It's an outdoor life for me."

Eddie Bauer: "Country life is the high life."

Patagonia: "The Life you've dreamed of."

Considering L.L. Bean's history of resourceful and creative enterprising, I'm surprised the marketing executives decided to emulate a competitor's slogan rather than blaze their own trail. Founder Leon Leonwood Bean was an avid hunter and fishermen who created a waterproof out of lightweight leather uppers andd rubber bottoms. He labeled them the "Bean Boot" and sold them out of his brother's basement in Freeport, Maine.

L.L. Bean should return to its humble origins and tap back into the rugged outdoorsmen who probably have a few ideas of their own.

Posted By Matt O'Hern at 12:37 PM
Permanent Link: L.L. Bean vs. Life is Good: Battle of the Brands | Comments (3)

(3) Comments on L.L. Bean vs. Life is Good: Battle of the Brands

The slogan "Maine: The Way Life Should be" was official tourism slogan for the state of Maine a few years back. It is on the big green sign on the side of the highway as you enter the state on I95. It has been there for as far back as I can remember. I don't think the use of this phrase is at all a rip-off of "Life is Good" slogan. My guess is it was L.L. Bean's intention in using this phrase in naming their new product line was to reference their Maine heritage, nothing more...

Comments by suzy : Monday, May 11, 2009 at 01:58 PM

Its middle of the road advertising that does not do much for anybody, the Brand or the consumer. Its times like these that Brands should clearly voice what they really stand for vs. using some generic statement.

Comments by Kenneth Kurtzweg : Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 04:31 AM

Perhaps the slogan itself isn't a ripoff, but pair it with the icon and it's obvious that the whole concept is. I';m embarrassed for LL Bean. What's next, another Crocs knock-off?

Comments by Colleen Comben : Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 11:39 AM

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