• Atlantic, Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:52 AM

Speaking of wild-hair ideas, Joshua Green writes that the Grateful Dead's influence on business practices may be one of the most enduring aspects of its legacy. "Without intending to -- while intending, in fact, to do just the opposite -- the band pioneered ideas and practices that were subsequently embraced by corporate America," he points out.

The Dead cultivated "customer value," nurtured its loyal fans, promoted social networking, engaged in strategic business planning and built an enduring brand. It also long ago spawned a booming field of endeavor for academics ranging from ethnomusicologists to sociologists to management theorists, with a few philosophers sprinkled in.

"Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New-York Historical Society" will open on March 5 at the New-York Historical Society. The materials are largely drawn from the Grateful Dead Archive housed at the University of California Santa Cruz. Besides examining the band's Beat and Hippie roots and its role in the genesis of acid rock, the exhibition will also explore its "unexpected" business acumen and "consumer-driven marketing enrichments."

The Cleveland Browns are one brand that hasn't been taking notes on how to treat its loyal fans, if Joe Pulizzi's post to his Junta42 blog is any indication. Seems there was no way, no how Pulizzi could book a tour of the stadium for his son's birthday party on a day or time when youngsters are actually out of school.

Forbes' designation of Cleveland as "America's Most Miserable City" adds to its woes this morning.

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