AT&T vs Costco: Tone of Voice Compared
A side-by-side comparison of how AT&T and Costco communicate — tone words, language style, sentence structure, and taglines.
In short
AT&T (Technology) and Costco (Retail) play in different arenas — and it shows in how they speak. AT&T sounds casual, confident, writing in assertive language, while Costco sounds ethical, reliable, writing in commanding language. They share no tone words at all. AT&T's tagline, "More for your thing. That’s our thing.", captures its voice; Costco answers with "Do the right thing".
Voice comparison
| Dimension | AT&T | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Tone words | Casual, Confident | Ethical, Reliable |
| Language style | Assertive | Commanding |
| Sentence type | Statement | Command |
| Tense | Present | Present |
| Expression | Straightforward | Straightforward |
| Tagline | "More for your thing. That’s our thing." | "Do the right thing" |
What AT&T and Costco share
AT&T and Costco share no tone words.
Where they differ
AT&T leans casual, confident. Costco leans ethical, reliable.
Positioning & strategy
| Dimension | AT&T | Costco |
|---|---|---|
| Brand message | Make tech personal | Deliver value while doing right by people |
| Mission | Keep customers connected and satisfied | Continually provide members with quality goods at the lowest possible prices |
| Core concept | Everyday Tech | Business with Integrity |
| Core tension | Mass Appeal vs. Personality | Profit vs. Ethics |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is AT&T's tone of voice different from Costco's?
AT&T uses a casual, confident tone with assertive language, while Costco uses an ethical, reliable tone with commanding language. They share no tone words.
What is AT&T's tagline and what is Costco's tagline?
AT&T's tagline is "More for your thing. That’s our thing.". Costco's tagline is "Do the right thing".
Do AT&T and Costco target the same market?
Not directly — AT&T operates in Technology while Costco operates in Retail.
Is AT&T or Costco more figurative in its messaging?
Both lean straightforward — AT&T and Costco each express themselves in a straightforward way.