I don’t know about you, but I keep seeing Sanrio’s Hello Kitty all over the place. It seems like every female celebrity is a fan. This list of stars includes people like Rihanna, Hilary Duff, Britney Spears, and so many more. So what is the fascination?
For starters, Hello Kitty is a $1 billion business and there are are 22,000 Hello Kitty products on the market. This includes items such as a Daihatsu car, a Kitty surfboard, a Kitty bowling alley, an indoor ski slope, karaoke bars, and even Kitty red wine. What makes it more interesting is that Hello Kitty doesn’t really have a story. She is just a brand. She is an image.
So again… what is the fascination. Well, there are 2 theories:
Theory 1: Hello Kitty somehow touches into our culture’s ideals, those unconscious human desires that everyone cares about and shares. Kitty represents innocence, purity, and cuteness – all qualities that resonate with young girls and mothers across the world.
Theory 2: The second theory is all about Zen. She is simple. For example, Hello Kitty does not have a massive portfolio that defines her character in a meaningful sense such as Mickey Mouse or Snoopy. Again, she really lacks a story. However, her image conveys so much more. She is like a mirror to all women, reflecting back only pure warm fuzzies and feelings of nostalgia.
How does this impact your next presentation? Well, both of these theories are related to speaking and slide design:
Theory 1: Your presentation doesn’t have to always be edgy to make an impact. The best messages or always the purest in content and in design.
Theory 2: I talk a lot about simplicity, but a Zen approach to slide design and content will always serve you well.
There is a definite reason why Hello Kitty is doing so well. Thus, we all can take a lesson or two from the mouthless wonder.
