Since today is my Friday (three-day weekend FTW!) here’s an early edition of the Friday Five. This week’s post contains linky goodness about brands and branding. Enjoy and happy weekend.
1. 2010’s top 10 brands, according to Bnet’s Geoffrey James (via PRDaily). From electronics to entertainment, learn which brands stood out this year and what lessons can be learned from their success.
2. Brand buzz without advertising — wise words on the importance of “social currency” from brand expert Bob Brock of Educational Marketing Group, with examples of some universities that know how to do it right.
3. How much engagement is there in ‘liking’ a brand? It’s easy to give a thumbs-up to any brand on Facebook (and now, on Amazon). But, asks Vikki Chowney at newmediaage.com, “Is a click of a button really that inspiring? … It’s too easy to do without thinking for it to prove you have a real relationship with the product in question.” (Hat tip to @jesskry and @KellyOlexa for sharing via Twitter.)
4. 12 principles of social media marketing, by Jeff Bullas. Good list. No. 3 (Educate – Don’t Sell) is my favorite. What’s missing? (Hat tip to @AskAaronLee for the share, which is principle No. 1.)
5. mStoner’s First Law of Branding, from the brilliant mind of Michael Stoner. If you get nothing else from this post, get this law down. (Ries and Trout have nothing on you, Michael!)
Higher Ed Marketing 
Appreciate the mention, and totally agree with your take on other posts that are definitely worth the read! Great stuff in all of those meaty offerings!
Thanks for the shoutout, Andy.
I don’t think there’s *any* engagement in “liking” a brand: and if there is, it’s damn cheap. And I really like the efforts (like this one by Varsity Outreach to weigh comments more heavily than “likes” in assessing engagement on Facebook.