I know. Dodgy 80s bands and all that. But whilst looking for something on YouTube the other day I came across the new Duran Duran single “All You Need is Now“.

Duran were one of my favourite bands as a young teenager. Yup, I had the hair, the boots and very baggy trousers and look back at that time with real fondness.

Although I haven’t bought any of their new records since the late 80s I clicked on the new single to watch for old time’s sake although I was prepared to be disappointed as I’ve often been if I’ve come across a new Duran track in the last 20 years. But in an instant I recognized that unique Duran 80′s sound.

As I explored a few more tracks on iTunes from the new CD, and really enjoying them, I started thinking about how Duran had finally managed to recapture that unique sound that had once made them popular. The sound that was an essential part of their brand marketing. Well, almost as much as the fact that they were good-looking lads who appealed to 14-year old girls.

Nothing quite like a bit of Duran Duran

Duran’s unique sound was largely to do with the rhythm section of John Taylor (bass) and Roger Taylor (drums) which underscores the synth-pop that was all the rage back then. But unlike many of the New Romantics, Duran Duran’s rhythm section borrowed heavily from 70s disco. The combined effect was world domination. For a month or two.

Nearly thirty years later the early records still sound uniquely Duran. There’s something special about the fluid, pulsating bass lines and tinny drums. I can’t think of anyone who sounds like this.

What Duran Duran Can Teach Marketers

And that got me thinking about brand marketing and brand management. And how every businesses content marketingneeds to be unique.
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