Earlier today I spoke with Jorge Aguilar, a partner at Vivaldi, a boutique branding and innovation firm who work with Samsung among other companies.

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They played "The Four Seasons of Afghanistan, " a version of Antonio Vivaldi's violin concertos adapted to include Afghan instruments like the plucked string rabab.

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Vivaldi Partners, a marketing consulting firm based in New York, recently put together a list of the 20 best growth brands for Forbes (see: " Brand Values").

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Yes, and to experience nature's annual gift of renewal, with a cold one in hand ... more Vivaldi, please.

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Vivaldi valued the remaining 40 brands using a discounted cash flow model that also factored in the percentage of the business being driven by the brand.

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Vivaldi valued the remaining 40 brands using a discounted cash-flow model that also factored in the percentage of the business being driven by the brand.

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Vivaldi intended the solo violinist to improvise so for a kick check out the jazz-influenced version with clarinetist, Eddie Daniels, The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Bernard Rubenstein.

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This article is by Dr. Erich Joachimsthaler, founder of Vivaldi Partners, an innovation strategy and marketing firm and co-author, with David A. Aaker, of Brand Leadership and Hidden in Plain Sight.

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Target realizes a higher repurchase or loyalty rate than Wal-Mart (ranks No. 10 overall), according to Vivaldi.

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