What is going on with the brand Platform?

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UPDATE 7/14/2014: NSA Drops the Platform Name, via MichaelHyatt.com

—– original blog post below ——

Michael Hyatt’s book “Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World” was published in May 2012. And his landing page, Why You Need a Platform to Succeed, ranks near the top of Google searches for “platform” and the book was a New York Times bestseller.

Platform the book platform-nsa

And on July 2nd, 2014, at the National Speakers Association convention, (they’re also known as NSA), they announced this: “After a great deal of research, planning and market testing, we are excited to announce an innovative new brand to serve the speaking profession: PLATFORM” at platform.net

How could this great deal of research not realize the “platform” brand was already in use by Michael Hyatt’s book and his professional work as a speaker? Blogs are noticing this announcement and people are expressing concerns over this NSA rebranding [and NSA has said “Please share your comments“]:

Michael Hyatt “Owns” Platform … And 4 More Reasons The NSA Blew It On Rebranding (July 3, 2014 by Mike Kim) and 4 Lessons On Damage Control From The Michael Hyatt & NSA Controversy (7/7/14)

Why You Can’t Steal a Brand Even if You Try (NSA vs. Michael Hyatt)
(07/03/2014 by Andy Traub; also titled Even the NSA Can’t Steal Michael Hyatt’s Brand)

National Speakers Association (NSA) announces name change to Platform: 3 things I love, 2 I don’t, and 1 deal breaker
(July 3, 2014 by Rory Vaden)

The Pros and Cons for Changing the Name of NSA
(July 3, 2014 by Ryan Avery)

Betrayal from the National Speakers Association
(James A. Ziegler on Facebook, July 3, 2014 6:01am PT)

What if Meetup changed their name to Tribes?
(July 3, 2014 by John Gravitt)

Do Your Research First – Lessons from the National Speakers Association Platform Rebrand and Michael Hyatt
(July 3, 2014 by Daniel Decker)

Backfire on PLATFORM: Michael Hyatt Says “Just Wow.”
(July 3, 2014 by Heather Nichols)

Did NSA Leaders Forget to Google Platform Before Stomping on Michael Hyatt’s Brand?
(July 3, 2014 by Connie Bennett)

Why Integrity Matters (July 4, 2014 by Kathleen Ann Thompson) & Update to “Why Integrity Matters” (7/14/14)

NSA Rebranding to Platform – An Open Letter To Your Leadership
(July 4, 2014 by Stu McLaren)

National Speakers Association Changes Name: 7 Key Steps in a Name Change
(July 6, 2014 by Liz Goodgold)

Your Brand Is Bigger Than You
(July 7, 2014 by Rochelle Moulton)

Smart People – Dumb Choices
(July 08, 2014 by Michael Brand )

Michael Hyatt’s reaction was posted on Facebook July 2, 2014 4:27pm