Whose Brand is it, anyway? 6 traps to avoid

It started a few years ago. Brand owners and marketers finally shifted from “we’ll make it and they’ll buy it” to a more nuanced appreciation of the implicit contract between consumers and brands.

Problem is, things have gotten out of hand:

  • “Our brand is consumer-driven.  So we’ll field some research and let consumers decide which creative we use.”
  • “Brand experience is everything; the people who EXPERIENCE our brand own it.”
  • “Branding is a dialog…we need a conversation with our customers.”
  • “In the age of social media, we need to give up control, and engage with the bloggers and Tweeters and followers who write about our brand.”
  • “We’re crowd-sourcing our brand meaning.”
  • “We don’t own our brand…our consumers do.”

When it comes to brand ownership, it’s time for some straight talk.  This is one case where the lawyers actually have it right; Consumers DON’T own your brand.  YOU do.  Sure they (consumers, bloggers, employees, retailers and others) have a voice.  Today more than ever.  And yes, they are invested stakeholders.  They need to be listened to, responded to, respected and engaged.

But don’t abdicate your ownership just because it’s the fashion today. At the end of the day, it’s not their brand.  It’s yours.  It’s your investment.  It’s your profits.  It’s your legacy.  It’s your vision.  It’s your BRAND.

Recent Posts

Let’s take it outside – Seedhouse Q4 News – 2023

Let’s take it outside – Seedhouse Q4 News – 2023

Hi there. Seedhouse Q4 news here. Hope your year is off to a great start! We’re briefly looking back, but always keeping an eye ahead. We were at the PLMA Show in Nov. and even with a very strong Q4 we hit all Dec. due dates & EOY goals before scattering for...

YEAR IN REVIEW – 2023

YEAR IN REVIEW – 2023

As the winter solstice approaches and the prospect of longer days is on the horizon, we’ve been reflecting on our year and all of the cool work we’ve been lucky to do! We want to take a moment and express our profound gratitude for all of our clients who chose to work...

Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide ☃️

Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide ☃️

Need any last second gift ideas? Read on, we've got you. Thanks to our wonderful clients we have a great collection of giftspiration for anyone on your list. & Cheers to another year of creating awesome branding + packaging with you! 1. GERMAN, CZECH AND BELGIAN...