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Nancy Friedman

Nancy Friedman

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Jun 27

The stories behind the character names in Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day”

Those names disclose a lot.

The stories behind the character names in Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day”

Nancy Friedman

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Jul 21, 2025

The Billboard That Failed

How not to write a political ad

Billboard with a photo of former Congresswoman Barbara Lee. The text above her head reads We’re voting NO on the recall of Mayor Sheng Thao. The text on the left side reads Barbara Lee: Wrong then. Wrong now. Vote for Loren Taylor on April 15.

Nancy Friedman

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Nov 22, 2024

When the Artisan Is Artificial

Can we still call it craft if the work is automated?

Nancy Friedman

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Oct 6, 2024

Just Add “Just”

The four-letter word that’s all over supermarket shelves and advertising copy.

Six bottles of Just Ice Tea in different flavors

Nancy Friedman

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Aug 25, 2024

What I Like About American English

An open letter to our friends across the pond.

What I Like About American English

Nancy Friedman

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Jul 13, 2024

Does Anyone Still Write Letters?

Other than me, that is.

Stamped, handwritten envelopes

Nancy Friedman

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Apr 24, 2024

So Many Mavens

How did a Yiddish word for “expert” become a popular brand name in the U.S.?

So Many Mavens

Nancy Friedman

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Apr 16, 2024

TiVo Turns 25

A short history of a game-changing brand — and brand name.

TiVo Turns 25

Nancy Friedman

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Mar 23, 2024

The Unlikely Success of “Sonder”

How did an “invented” word become a ubiquitous brand name?

The Unlikely Success of “Sonder”

Nancy Friedman

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Mar 4, 2024

The Businesses Behind the Show Business

The awards for best film-production-company name go to …

The Businesses Behind the Show Business

Nancy Friedman

Nancy Friedman

Writer, name developer, brand consultant, idea-ist, ex-journalist. @fritinancy on Mastodon, Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, and elsewhere.

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