Branding

    Insights on Overcoming Barriers to Customer Engagement through Marketing, Advertising, and Branding

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    With 20 years of experience in the marketing world, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it can be to engage customers in a meaningful way. Engagement signifies that a company has not only captured attention but also fostered a deeper connection with its audience. Yet, the road to engagement is fraught with barriers—skepticism, competition, and an…

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    Brand History: Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

    600 343 Michael Kraabel

    Rosser Reeves was a pivotal figure in the advertising world whose contributions significantly shaped the mid-20th-century advertising industry and laid foundational principles that continue to influence marketing and branding today. Reeves is best known for developing the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) concept. Reeves joined the Ted Bates & Co. advertising agency in 1940, eventually rising…

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    Rethinking Brand Models

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    We are beginning a new era in branding, and the call for a revamped framework is loud and clear. A new model centered around the customer journey, emotional connections, shared values, and adaptability is not merely a strategy but a philosophy that can drive brands to new levels of relevance and success. By reevaluating our…

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    Best Books on Branding (2024)

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Each of these books offers unique insights into the complexities of brand marketing. From understanding how to communicate effectively with your audience to leveraging the latest in digital marketing strategies, these reads cover the essential knowledge and skills needed to build and sustain powerful brands. These titles, spanning several decades, reflect the dynamic nature of…

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    Building a Brand by Growing Smaller

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Throughout my career in advertising, I always thought my agency needed to pitch and win every client we could. When I went out on my own to start a new company, my instincts were to grow as big and fast as possible. In both cases, I was wrong. If someone had told me to stay…

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    Historical Overview of Branding and Marketing from Ancient Markets to the Industrial Revolution

    1024 576 Michael Kraabel

    From ancient marks of craftsmanship to the trademarks of the industrial age, branding and marketing have become central to the commerce and culture of societies worldwide. This historical evolution set the stage for the sophisticated marketing strategies of the modern era, demonstrating the enduring importance of branding in connecting producers with consumers. The branding and…

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    Customer Evolution through Aspirational Identity

    1024 663 Michael Kraabel

    In a time when consumer expectations extend beyond product functionality to encompass personal growth and identity enhancement, brands face the imperative to evolve. This is where the Voyager Brand Value Model (VBVM) comes in, a conceptual framework designed to anchor brand value in the aspirational identity of the consumer. By shifting focus from the transactional…

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    Voyager Brand Value Model Exploration

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    It’s time for us to move beyond the purpose-driven “why” framework and other brand models that focus exclusively on the customer in a static state. A new approach, focusing on “who” the customer becomes through engaging with the brand, emphasizing their aspirational identity and transformational journey, should be explored. This model shifts the focus from…

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    The Adaptive Brand Ecosystem Model

    1024 574 Michael Kraabel

    Adopting and developing a brand model provides structure and direction to branding activities. It ensures strategic focus, guides investment in high-impact initiatives, fosters innovation, guarantees consistency across touchpoints, enables effective measurement and evaluation, and aligns internal stakeholders. Most of all, it serves as a blueprint for your marketing and brand campaigns. However, not all models…

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    Beyond Purpose-Driven Brand Marketing

    1024 683 Michael Kraabel

    Throughout history, brand marketing has continually adapted to new technologies and shifts in consumer preferences. From simple marks of craftsmanship to complex digital campaigns, brand marketing has become a fundamental aspect of business strategy, aiming to build brand equity, loyalty, and a strong emotional connection with consumers. As consumer preferences change, so must our methods…

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