Read about Edward Teach and tell me that he wasn’t the world’s first master brand manager.
He had the look, with his thick black beard and how he’d light his hat on fire to frighten his enemies. He flew the skull and crossbones symbol over his ship (an early example of a logo?). He had the catchy name. He had the reputation that would cause ships to surrender without a fight (useful for a pirate who wants to preserve his crew and his ammunition). He literally got paid more because of his strong brand. And, thanks to creative work of his biographers over the years he has the legacy, having inspired popular lore, books, films, and even amusement park rides.
In Alice Rawsthorn’s TED talk, she talks about “pirates, nurses, and other rebel designers,” and what we can learn from them today. Check it out.