Branding mistakes have been made by the very biggest companies. When the No. 2 burger chain debuted its "King" mascot, executives undoubtedly thought the quirky campaign would increase sales. Apparently it never occurred to anybody that creeping people out probably won't make them hungry for fast food. Net effect: Burger King slipped to No. 3. Lesson: Any idiot can get attention; the trick is to drive buying behaviour.