This document provides an overview of brands and brand management. It defines a brand as a name, symbol or design that identifies a seller's goods/services and differentiates them from competitors according to the American Marketing Association. Brands are valuable to both consumers and firms. For consumers, brands reduce risk, search costs and act as promises or pacts with producers. For firms, brands are valuable legal properties that can influence consumer behavior and provide sustained revenues. Strong brands create competitive advantages through product performance or other non-product means. The document discusses branding challenges and opportunities in today's marketplace and introduces the concept of brand equity and strategic brand management.