CROWDCTRL

Let’s talk a little branding. Whose wife doesn’t watch the Food Network? And I would be a liar if I said I didn’t enjoy a little Good Eats or Iron Chef America.

I recently hit up foodnetwork.com for a 30 Minute Meal recipe for dinner. It struck me again how great their site is. The network as a whole is great at many crowd control tactics, including great on-air personalities, a unique and recognizable logo, and plenty of great brand extensions, like their website.

The colors are bright, the information is well-organized, and above all the site is enjoyable to use—a key quality of any brand.

What exactly makes it enjoyable?

• warm, vibrant colors draw you in
• some great visual detail supporting their logo and header
• exciting graphics advertising their best shows and events—shows we’re likely already addicted to
• plenty of supporting information for every show that airs on the site, including recipies and bios
• and the best part—on the front page, information about the show currently on the air with quick links to recipies featured on that show

More than a few networks or shows could take a page or two from the Food playbook. Some good business here.