Building Strong Brands

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In this compelling work, Aaker utilizes real brand-building cases from companies like Saturn, General Electric, Kodak, Healthy Choice, and McDonald's to illustrate the creation and management of strong brands. As industries face increasing challenges, the need for robust brand-building skills becomes essential for survival and success. Building on insights from his previous book, Aaker emphasizes the brand as a strategic asset and a key source of competitive advantage. He cautions against the common pitfall of focusing solely on brand attributes, advocating for a broader perspective that includes emotional and self-expressive benefits, as well as viewing the brand as a person, organization, and symbol. Central to his approach are the concepts of brand identity and brand position, which are crucial for managing brands effectively. Aaker also highlights the importance of understanding individual brands within a larger system of interconnected brands and subbrands, providing strategies for achieving clarity and synergy while adapting to changing environments. He introduces practical management tools, including the "brand equity ten," to measure and track brand equity across various products and markets. Additionally, he discusses organizational structures that nurture brands amid the pressures to alter brand identity and position. As executives across industries strive to prevent commoditization, this work serves as essential r