Brand VS branding, the two concepts that newcomers to the marketing world often mistakenly interchange are their brand and branding. While both are important, distinguishing between the two will give you better results from your marketing strategy.
A brand represents identity and perception, while branding is the strategic process of shaping and managing that brand. Branding involves market research, storytelling, and design to communicate the desired brand image.
In this article, we’ll delve into the basics of brand marketing and branding in marketing. We’ll cover how you can cover both in your marketing strategy by clearly differentiating between the two.
Brand Marketing
Brand marketing is a strategic approach aimed at creating a strong and positive brand identity, shaping consumer perception, and ultimately driving business success. It involves a comprehensive set of activities that revolve around establishing and promoting the unique attributes, values, and personality of a brand to resonate with the target audience and differentiate it from competitors.
Creating Brand Identity
One of the primary objectives of brand marketing is to create a distinctive brand identity that resonates with consumers. This involves defining the brand’s core values, mission, and positioning in the market.
By clearly articulating what the brand stands for, it becomes easier to connect with the target audience and build trust and loyalty. Brand identity is established through consistent messaging, visual elements, and brand experiences that evoke the desired emotions and perceptions.
Changing Brand Perception
Brand marketing also plays a crucial role in changing or evolving brand perception. Sometimes, brands may face challenges or negative associations that require a strategic effort to reshape consumer opinions.
By leveraging brand marketing techniques, such as repositioning, rebranding, or targeted communication campaigns, brands can shift perceptions and influence how they are perceived in the market. This may involve highlighting new product features, emphasizing social responsibility efforts, or showcasing customer success stories to create a positive brand image.
Example
An exemplary illustration of successful brand marketing is Coca-Cola. With a history spanning over a century, Coca-Cola has built a powerful brand identity that is synonymous with happiness, refreshment, and enjoyment. Through consistent brand marketing efforts, Coca-Cola has established itself as a global leader in the beverage industry.
- Creating Brand Identity: Coca-Cola’s brand identity revolves around the core values of happiness, optimism, and togetherness. The brand has successfully positioned itself as a catalyst for joyful moments, celebrations, and connections. Coca-Cola’s iconic red and white color scheme, along with its distinctive logo, have become instantly recognizable worldwide, reinforcing its brand identity.
- Changing Brand Perception: Over the years, Coca-Cola has faced challenges related to health concerns associated with sugary beverages. To address these concerns and adapt to changing consumer preferences, Coca-Cola has implemented brand marketing strategies to broaden its product portfolio and shift perceptions. The brand has introduced healthier beverage options, expanded into bottled water and low-sugar alternatives, and communicated its commitment to environmental sustainability. These initiatives have helped Coca-Cola enhance its brand perception and demonstrate its responsiveness to consumer needs.
Through effective brand marketing, Coca-Cola has cultivated a loyal customer base, maintained a dominant market position, and achieved global brand recognition. The brand’s success lies in its ability to consistently deliver on its brand promise, engage consumers through emotional storytelling, and adapt to changing market dynamics while staying true to its core values.
Branding
Branding is the strategic process of creating and managing a distinctive and memorable identity for a product, service, or company. It encompasses various elements such as market research, storytelling, and marketing design to establish a strong and unique brand image.
Market Research
One crucial aspect of branding is conducting thorough market research. This involves gathering information about the target audience, their needs, preferences, and competitors in the market. Market research helps brands understand consumer behavior, identify trends, and uncover insights that shape their branding strategies.
By understanding their target market, brands can develop positioning strategies that differentiate them from competitors and resonate with their audience.
Storytelling
Storytelling plays a vital role in effective branding. Brands use narratives to connect with their audience on an emotional level, create brand loyalty, and differentiate themselves from competitors.
A compelling brand story conveys the brand’s values, purpose, and unique selling proposition. It helps consumers relate to the brand and form a deeper connection. Whether through advertising campaigns, website content, or social media, storytelling adds depth and meaning to a brand, making it memorable and engaging.
Marketing Design
Visual elements are integral to branding as they contribute to the overall brand identity. Marketing design involves creating a cohesive and visually appealing brand presence through logos, color schemes, typography, and other graphic elements.
Consistency in design across all brand touchpoints, including packaging, website, advertisements, and social media, reinforces brand recognition and strengthens brand recall. Effective design communicates the brand’s personality, values, and quality, leaving a lasting impression on consumers.
Example
One notable example of successful branding is the company Nike. Through its branding efforts, Nike has established itself as a global leader in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. Nike’s brand identity is built on the core values of inspiration, innovation, and empowering athletes. The iconic Nike “swoosh” logo is simple yet instantly recognizable, symbolizing movement and excellence.
- Market Research: Nike conducts extensive market research to understand the needs, aspirations, and preferences of athletes and sports enthusiasts. This knowledge helps them develop products that meet consumers’ expectations and create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience.
- Storytelling: Nike’s branding revolves around powerful storytelling. Their advertising campaigns focus on inspiring and motivating athletes to push their limits and achieve greatness. The famous “Just Do It” slogan encapsulates Nike’s brand message, encouraging individuals to overcome obstacles and pursue their goals.
- Marketing Design: Nike’s visual branding is consistent and impactful. The “swoosh” logo is prominently featured across all brand assets, creating instant brand recognition. Nike’s choice of bold typography and vibrant colors reflects energy, athleticism, and passion. From their product designs to their flagship stores, Nike’s marketing design evokes a sense of style and performance.
Through a combination of market research, storytelling, and marketing design, Nike has successfully created a powerful brand that resonates with athletes and consumers worldwide. The brand’s ability to consistently deliver innovative products, tell compelling stories, and create visually captivating experiences has contributed to its enduring success.
Integrating Brand Marketing and Branding
Combing the two approaches is an effective way to build a successful marketing plan. By aligning these two elements, brands can create a cohesive and impactful brand presence that resonates with their target audience. Here are some key steps to integrate brand marketing and branding:
- Define a Strong Brand Identity: Start by clearly defining your brand’s core values, mission, and unique selling proposition. This establishes the foundation for your brand marketing efforts and ensures consistency across all brand touchpoints.
- Conduct Market Research: Thoroughly understand your target audience, their needs, preferences, and competitors. This knowledge will inform your brand marketing strategies and help you create messaging and experiences that resonate with your audience.
- Craft Compelling Brand Storytelling: Develop a compelling narrative that communicates your brand’s values, purpose, and unique story. Use storytelling techniques to connect emotionally with your audience and differentiate your brand from competitors.
- Design Consistent Brand Visuals: Create a cohesive visual identity through logos, color schemes, typography, and other design elements. Consistency in design across all brand assets and channels reinforces brand recognition and strengthens brand recall.
- Develop Integrated Marketing Campaigns: Align your brand marketing and branding efforts by incorporating consistent messaging, visuals, and storytelling across various marketing channels. This ensures a seamless brand experience and reinforces your brand identity.
- Monitor and Adapt: Continuously monitor the impact of your brand marketing and branding efforts. Gather feedback from customers, analyze market trends, and make necessary adjustments to stay relevant and resonant with your target audience.
By integrating brand marketing and branding, brands can create a strong and memorable brand presence that drives consumer engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, business success. It ensures that all marketing efforts are aligned and contribute to building a cohesive and differentiated brand identity in the minds of consumers.
