Is it any coincidence that Paul Stanley studied art and design in his formative years?

According to this article on BrandChannel.com, CNN has called KISS “the world’s most recognizable band.” Indeed, the band has sold more than $500 million in merchandise in the last 15 years.

Check out the CNN Money story as well.

Wow.

That's not saying the music (the product and service) isn't important. It's at the heart of the KISS brand. You've got to have more than a great logo (I think Ace Frehley actually came up with the original logo) and a unique image. You've got to consistently deliver a quality product or service that people can believe in and depend on. Whether you like their music or not, it's undeniable that lots of people worldwide do believe in it.

So what can we learn from KISS?

1. Be original. It's okay to be different. There's no value in "me too" branding

2. Find your niche and speak to the people who believe in you and build on your core audience.

3. Preserve your brand identity and protect it.

4. Always give your customers more than they expect and they'll support you for life. You're not selling tickets to one show. You're building a multi-generational relationship.

5. Work hard. Rock and roll all night, but be on time to the radio promos in the morning, the interview at lunch, the sound check in the afternoon and you'd better rock your ass off at the show every night.