[Branding 201]: Don’t Call It A Comeback – Ciara Revamped
So, I was a little late to catch Ciara’s Got Me Good video, but about thirty minutes ago, I pressed play for the first time and I’ve had a smile on my face about it ever since. I had a quick little twitter rant*and got so excited for what she’s bringing to the table that I had to do another one of my [branding] lectures. First of all, if you haven’t seen it, fix that. #pressplay
Okay, now that you’ve seen where Ciara‘s at right now, I’m sure you understand why I’m so excited. I know people have always gone back and forth about Ciara being the Janet Jackson of our generation, but if it wasn’t crystal clear before, I definitely see it now. This video showed me that she is far from finished and just how amazing she is in her own special way. Eight years later, she’s had a long run in the game. Let’s take a sec to check out her progression:
After an awesome start with Goodies, things continued looking up with The Evolution, but then she had a not so good run with Fantasy Ride, which I think fractured her brand a bit. She got refocused and came back out with Basic Instinct, but I think it fell way short of what she was going for. Now, Ciara’s back for Round 5, or what I’ll call [overtime], with One Woman Army, which is set to drop early next year. The clock is ticking and it’s time to turn it up. If she doesn’t kill it this time around, I don’t really see her having another chance.
After she took her little hiatus following Basic Instinct, I wasn’t sure what she was trying to do. She changed her image (for the better; she looks amazing), found some fashion friends in the Givenchy family (notice the Givenchy Spring 13 pieces in the video above), and seemed to be on another page. Then I started hearing a few unreleased tracks, followed by Sorry, and NOW, Got Me Good.
I have a feeling that this is going to be a great project for Ciara. Yeah, yeah, I thought the same thing with Basic Instinct, but I really think it’s going to work this time. Let’s look at the evidence:
1. As I mentioned above, her image is completely on point. I don’t think she’s ever looked better, from her body to her wardrobe. She’s always been a beautiful girl with a bangin’ body, and now the total image revamp compliments her perfectly.
2. She’s continuing to leverage her biggest strength, those dance moves, in awesome ways.*When you’re the best at something, let it be known. Even though she’s not the strongest vocalist, Ciara has a unique package that other artists aren’t coming close to nowadays. How many singers today do you see killing choreo on a consistent basis. I can’t think of any…
3. It doesn’t seem like she’s as focused on selling a concept (like she was for Basic Instinct). The visuals for Sorry and Got Me Good are well-done, in my opinion, and I think she’s selling the part perfectly. Good products don’t always require a theme or some deep artistic undertone. Most of Ciara’s best work is when she’s not trying to be a character, but just doing what she does. Think of Ride, arguably her best video (aside from Got Me Good!). It’s just her, the choreography, and that body in a white room. Simple.
4. And most importantly, it looks like she’s actually having fun with it! This latest video is a perfect example of that. She looks happy and so confident.*She’s in it right now and it shows.*If everything she drops is on this level, I don’t see how she can’t win. I really think her best bet is to just make good work, one thing at a time, and enjoy the ride. Fantasy Ride, which was also concept-heavy and kind of jacked Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce swag, failed miserably because the marketing and branding of that project was weak and WACK. Ciara, leave the themes to Rihanna. That’s her gimmick; don’t try and make it yours.
My verdict: I think if she just stays dope and keeps doing her own thing, she’ll bring it home.*She dominates in a special niche that’s underpopulated and she just has to take advantage of that like she used to. And that rule go for every brand ultimately. Find your own cool and capitalize on it. I’m rooting for Ciara and I’m excited to see what’s next. Class dismissed.
I have no doubt that this era will smash. Could you imagine how different her situation would be if Tell Me What Your Name Is, Gimmie Dat, Turn It Up(feat. Usher) and Turntables(feat. Chris Brown) Smashed (in their respective eras)? (If Jive actually listed to Ciara and her fans(smdh......)).
I don't have much more to say (sorry for taking up your time fellow Ciara fans), but this era is shaping up to be absolutely SPECTACULAR!
1) Sweat (Promotional SIngle)- Perfect. (Urban,sounds like Ciara is just having fun)
*if only she released it as a promotional single to begin with(so people wouldn't think it was a failed lead single)
2) Sorry- This song is awesome! (Introspective, Dancey, Urban)(everything her fans wanted,gives her Urban base a chance to warm up again)
3) Got Me Good- Great for a first crossover-pop single (Creative and Innovative Choreo in the video, and leaves Overdose, One Woman Army, and Livin It Up for times in the era when radio is eating her album up)
I have no doubt that this era will smash. Could you imagine how different her situation would be if Tell Me What Your Name Is, Gimmie Dat, Turn It Up(feat. Usher) and Turntables(feat. Chris Brown) Smashed (in their respective eras)? (If Jive actually listed to Ciara and her fans(smdh......)).
I don't have much more to say (sorry for taking up your time fellow Ciara fans), but this era is shaping up to be absolutely SPECTACULAR!
1) Sweat (Promotional SIngle)- Perfect. (Urban,sounds like Ciara is just having fun)
*if only she released it as a promotional single to begin with(so people wouldn't think it was a failed lead single)
2) Sorry- This song is awesome! (Introspective, Dancey, Urban)(everything her fans wanted,gives her Urban base a chance to warm up again)
3) Got Me Good- Great for a first crossover-pop single (Creative and Innovative Choreo in the video, and leaves Overdose, One Woman Army, and Livin It Up for times in the era when radio is eating her album up)
This post!!! It should go in a post hall of fame!
I have been saying it for the longest, dont sleep on their plan they have trust me everything will be put into perspective over time. Just be patient. The real smashes are on the album, the current single are just good enough for radio to play them but the other singles will keep the legs on the album! I' m so excited for this era!
I wouldn't say these are just songs thrown out for radio to play. Sorry (especially) and Got Me Good are two of her best singles. But I do agree that the album will be full of singles. People from twitter who've heard the album said pretty much everything was single material.
Im satisfied with the era music wise so far, videos were all on point, she's finally thrown in people's faces, I feel like people are supportive, only thing that bugged me was album cover but I think it is scrapped, rite? Im thinkin' of this one:
I have no doubt that this era will smash. Could you imagine how different her situation would be if Tell Me What Your Name Is, Gimmie Dat, Turn It Up(feat. Usher) and Turntables(feat. Chris Brown) Smashed (in their respective eras)? (If Jive actually listed to Ciara and her fans(smdh......)).
I don't have much more to say (sorry for taking up your time fellow Ciara fans), but this era is shaping up to be absolutely SPECTACULAR!
1) Sweat (Promotional SIngle)- Perfect. (Urban,sounds like Ciara is just having fun)
*if only she released it as a promotional single to begin with(so people wouldn't think it was a failed lead single)
2) Sorry- This song is awesome! (Introspective, Dancey, Urban)(everything her fans wanted,gives her Urban base a chance to warm up again)
3) Got Me Good- Great for a first crossover-pop single (Creative and Innovative Choreo in the video, and leaves Overdose, One Woman Army, and Livin It Up for times in the era when radio is eating her album up)
I always wonder why they didn't release Turntables as a single. May be because of Chris Brown's scandal at that time ?
I always wonder why they didn't release Turntables as a single. May be because of Chris Brown's scandal at that time ?
The incident is definitely why it wasn't released. Had Turntables been a urban song it would've smashed regardless, but seeing as how it was more Pop oriented, they scrapped it. Honestly, Fantasy Ride was supposed to put Ciara on a whole new scale. The album itself contained the material, but the leaks, single choices, ridiculous theme & mishandled promo killed it's potential.
The incident is definitely why it wasn't released. Had Turntables been a urban song it would've smashed regardless, but seeing as how it was more Pop oriented, they scrapped it. Honestly, Fantasy Ride was supposed to put Ciara on a whole new scale. The album itself contained the material, but the leaks, single choices, ridiculous theme & mishandled promo killed it's potential.
The incident is definitely why it wasn't released. Had Turntables been a urban song it would've smashed regardless, but seeing as how it was more Pop oriented, they scrapped it. Honestly, Fantasy Ride was supposed to put Ciara on a whole new scale. The album itself contained the material, but the leaks, single choices, ridiculous theme & mishandled promo killed it's potential.
The whole idea of the album from the Jump was brilliant. It was just handled poorly not to mention the entire album leaking months before the release date. P.s. I believe its first week sales were actually pretty good due to the leaks
