Which way did the brand go?

February 2012
Who’s this guy?
•

Own a marketing and communications
consultancy
–

•

Before that, worked at large ad agencies in
Halifax and Toronto
–

•
•

Work with a variety of companies located in Atlantic
Canada, Central/Western Canada and the US

Clients were NSLC, ALC, Toyota, Canon, CIBC,
Kraft, Rogers and Dare Foods

Work for two of Canada’s top brands – Molson
and Nikon
Strong experience in a variety of media and
engagement channels
What is a ‘brand’?
Is it this?
This?
Or this guy?
A brand is…

An
embodiment
of an idea
(In Nike’s case, “Empowerment”)
A brand is…
A brand is…

More than a
slogan…
…or an ad
campaign
A brand is…
Compelling & relevant point of

difference
A brand is…

The bond
that gives
people a
reason to

believe
The worlds top brands
Who do you think are the top 5?
Top brands in 2011

Interbrand Top 100
Top brands in 2001

Interbrand Top 100
What’s happening to today’s
brands?
Brand Ownership

Who really owns the brand – the company or
the people using/buying it?
Brand Fragmentation

Inconsistency is consistency?
Brand Loyalty

Those who like it, like it a lot
Brand Engagement

We don’t just call or visit
Why ‘brand’?
Why Brand?

Reason to choose
Build loyalty
Be different
Grow business
Why Brand?

Build a reputation
Support corp. vision
Ensure consistency
Change perceptions
Branding Steps
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.

Look around
Talk to your customers
Define who you are (i.e. attributes
and values)
Outline ‘why you’ (i.e. benefits)
Wrap it up in something clear and
concise
Now it’s your turn
Try to define your brand
•
•
•

Outline your top three
competitors
Highlight three interesting things
about your customer
Define five key attributes and/or
values (high the two most
important to you)
Try to define your brand
•

Define ‘customer’ benefits –
functional and emotional

•

See if you can link the two
benefits with something bigger

•

Write a ‘rallying cry’ that includes
the top two attributes, both
benefits and the ‘big link’
Rallying Cry

Company X is a _______ and _______
organization that offers people
______ and ______ so they can
achieve ________.
Attributes

Benefits
The ‘Ultimate’
Benefit
Thank you
sean@williamsmarketing.ca
www.williamsmarketing.ca
@swmgroup
linkedin.com/in/seanwillliams

Branding Presentation