Articles on Brand & Marketing Strategy:

Making Marketing Smarter Amidst the Cuts [PDF]
By Chiaki Nishino and Fred Geyer

The troubled economy is forcing corporate leaders to re-evaluate their spending plans across the board and marketing is not exempt. In fact, marketing is often first in line for cuts as corporate leaders attempt to identify immediate cost reductions that may take longer to achieve in other areas. (December 2008)

Sauce of Conversation [PDF]
By Vanessa Cohen

In this article, Vanessa discusses Pizza Hut’s rebranding of some of its outlets as ‘Pasta Hut’ and whether or not it will produce long-term growth for the brand.  (Also available at http://www.brandstrategy.co.uk/) (Brand Strategy, December 2008)

An interview with David Aaker on "Spanning Silos"
By David Aaker

In this blog posting, personal branding expert Dan Schawbel speaks to David Aaker about his new book "Spanning Silos." (Marketingweb, December 2008)

Marketing in a Silo World: The Challenge for Chief Marketing Officers
By David Aaker

In this article, David Aaker examines how silo barriers within organizations can be reduced or eliminated, leading to stronger offerings and brands and effective synergistic marketing strategies and programs.  *Please note, there is a fee to obtain a copy of this article. (California Management Review, Fall 2008)

Get (and keep) Great People [PDF]
By Roland Bernhard

This article examines the Employee Value Proposition as a potential strategy for attracting and retaining the best people in tough times. (Customer Strategy, November 2008)

Exclusive Interview with Marketing Pioneer David Aaker
By David Aaker

This blog post, written by Dan Schawbel, features an interview with David Aaker discussing his new book, "Spanning Silos: The New CMO Imperative." (Personal Branding Blog, November 19, 2008)

A Plan for Spanning Silos
By David Aaker

David Aaker discusses concepts from his latest book, "Spanning Silos: The New CMO Imperative." He outlines a variety of ways to address silo-driven problems. *Please contact Prophet for a copy of this article.  (AdAge, November 10, 2008)

Abandoning Old Marketing Paradigms [PDF]
By Prophet

This article summarizes the speeches that given at the 2008 CMO Conference in Switzerland. It reflects the latest marketing thinking of branding gurus such as Jean-Claude Larréchés from INSEAD, and David Aaker, Vice Chairman of Prophet. *Please note, this article is in German. (persönlich, October 2008)

Powerbrands in Crisis [PDF]
By David Aaker

In this interview with David Aaker, he discusses the consequences of the financial crisis on brands in the financial services industry, the silo thinking of globally operating companies, and the short duration of CMO’s in their jobs. *Please note, this article is in German. (persönlich, October 2008)

Spanning Silos, A CMO’s Job Guide
By David Aaker

Michael Krauss, a writer for Marketing News, calls David Aaker's book a "must-read for every chief marketing officer and any marketer that aspires to that lofty C-level role."  *Please note, this article is not available online.  Please contact Prophet for a copy.  (Marketing News, October 15, 2008)

From Silos to Synergy [PDF]
By David Aaker

The existence of functional silos is a serious challenge for CMOs. This article, based on David Aaker's latest book, "Spanning Silos: The New CMO Imperative," discusses ways to combat silos to advance marketing and develop stronger offerings and brands. (The Advertiser, October 18. 2008)

“Cart Before the Horse” Marketing? Neigh! [PDF]
By Fred Geyer

For all the great marketers and great marketing, we still see too many instances of what I call “cart before the horse” marketing. The cart, of course, is marketing tactics, while the horse is the need to meet critical customer needs. The result is strategies and initiatives that falter before the finish line.

How Financial Services Marketers Should Deal With Crisis of Confidence [PDF]
By Chiaki Nishino and Fred Geyer

As the global financial meltdown spreads, it’s clear that financial brands have been profoundly damaged by a crisis of confidence among their stakeholders. Brands that until a few weeks ago were pillars of the community are today widely distrusted.  Marketing leaders didn’t get financial institutions into this mess. But they will be instrumental in repairing the damage.

The Future of Wall Street Brands [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

The global financial services crisis raises issues for CMOs who now find themselves with new brands in their portfolios. Actions undertaken to protect brand equities of all the players — whether acquirers or acquired — must be carefully considered against a backdrop of customers, comparative health issues, and strategic compatibilities.

How to Cope With Aging Brands [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

Individual brands, or even whole categories, that were once important for a particular consumer segment, become irrelevant as society evolves and tastes change.  Should you completely lose your current brand equity association so you can become relevant to new consumers? (World Advertising Research Center, October 2008)

Why our Automakers are Eating Competitors' Dust [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

The U.S. automotive industry presents yet another cautionary tale of how myopic thinking can decimate, if not destroy, brand equity and financial performance, leaving an iconic sector of American business choking in competitors’ dust. (Marketing News, October 1, 2008)

Make the Endorser Strategy Work [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

I’m as fond of Mrs. Butterworth and her syrup as the next person. Splashed on pancakes or waffles? Delicious. As a special sauce to make my insurance bills a bit more palatable? Maybe not so much. (Marketing News, September 2008)

The Marketing Mix [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

Joseph Gelman argues that the concept of bank branches is still alive, despite claims to the contrary. Banks should therefore take advantage of this situation to transmit the essence of their brand to clients at all points of interaction, particularly in light of the current cash crisis. (Strategic Marketing, July/August 2008)

“Customer Experience” – Managing an integrated brand [PDF]
By Andrea Hilber and Roland Bernhard

CMOs can no longer invest in traditional marketing channels.  They must focus their marketing dollars on customer touchpoints that create the greatest opportunity to generate sustainable brand value.  *Please note, this article is in German. (Marketing & Kommunikation, July/August 2008)

How to Win the Hearts and Minds of Hispanic Customers [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce and Jorge Aguilar

With the Hispanic population in the US expected to surpass white non-Hispanic inhabitants by 2030, marketers are scrambling for ways to tap into growing spending power while generating loyalty to their brands. Strong, enduring brand loyalty can be built among Hispanics, but not by using tactics that work for white, Middle America. (MarketingProfs, June 17, 2008)

Beware the Pitfalls of the Green Branding Push [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

In this opinon piece, Joseph Gelman and Francisco Pinedo from Prophet's Madrid office, discuss the pitfalls of "green" branding in the car industry. (Expansión, April 29, 2008)

Multiculti Markets Demand Multilayered Marketing [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

The growth in minority markets is substantial and their potential buying power is even greater.  Marketers who map out the most customer-centric approaches to establish their relevance to these diverse populations will be rewarded with the kind of strong and enduring brand loyalty that drives sustainable business growth.  (Marketing News, May 2008)

The Risks of Being "Green" [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

In an interview with the financial daily La Gaceta de los Negocios, Joseph Gelman, Prophet partner and director of the company's office in Spain, talks about the challenges facing green brands. *Please note this interview is in Spanish. (La Gaceta de los Negocios, May 20, 2008)

The Connection Between Brand and Business Strategy [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

This issue of Marketing y Ventas features a 6-page interview with Joseph Gelman.  In it, he discusses the notion of the empowered CMO, emotional branding, and challenges facing Spanish brands. *Please note, this article is in Spanish. (Marketing y Ventas, May 2008)

RISQUÉ BUSINESS: Sex Sells. Or Does it? [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Your customers—current and intended—have certain expectations of both your brand and your category. There’s a fine line between outrageous and offensive messaging, and the risk of crossing it and alienating more customers than you entice must be evaluated. (Marketing News, April 2008)

Bank branches faced with the cash crisis [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

In this opinion article published by the financial daily Cinco Días, Joseph Gelman argues that the concept of bank branches is still alive, despite claims to the contrary. Banks should therefore take advantage of this situation to transmit the essence of their brand to clients at all points of interaction, particularly in light of the current cash crisis. *Please note this article is in Spanish. (Cinco Dias, March 20, 2008)

‘Quantilitative’ Research & Beyond: New Platforms for Customer Insights [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

Web 2.0 is doing a lot more than simply facilitating exciting new ways to establish a brand’s relevance with customers. On the marketing science side, it’s driving an equally exciting morphing of methodologies and the ways we use them. In short, we’re seeing a redefinition of the capabilities in the traditional analytics toolbox. (Marketing News, March 1, 2008)

A Shot to the Heart [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Brand extensions are often seen as a silver bullet to all that ails maturing brands and business categories. Succeed and you may be on the path to substantial organic growth. Fail, and you join the ranks of some 90% of all new market entrants that prove irrelevant to customers. (Marketing News, February 1, 2008)

Innovation: Brand It or Lose It
By David Aaker

In this article, David Aaker argues that brand strategy is crucially important to an innovation. Without it, the strength of an innovation will be short-lived. 
*Please note, there is a fee to obtain the full text of this article. (California Management Review, Fall 2007)

Test and Learn: Prove Relevance [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

This article discusses the test-and-learn approach to marketing investment and how it helps build marketing credibility while providing a platform for continuous optimization of the overall marketing mix. (Marketing News, 12/15/2007)

Build a Brand Consumers Will Actually Want to Control [PDF]
By Scott Davis

In this article, Scott Davis answers questions about customer control: Does the customer really want to be your co-pilot? Does the customer want to do the marketer’s work in building the brand? Make your ads? Design your products? Distribute your message? Maybe not, he argues. (AdAge, 11/27/2007)

Marketing-Touchpoints - The UBS story  [PDF]
By Inga Schmidt

This article was co-authored with our client, UBS, and has been translated into English from the original German text. It illustrates how active touchpoint management can help in converting prospects to clients, extending relationships to existing clients and therefore driving business results. (Marketing Journal, November 2007)

Learn to Use Communication's Negative Space [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

In the environment where you can reach your customers 24/7, success at building a brand—at solidifying and growing your relationship with customers—is really all about being selective. You need to pick the right time and place or, better yet, let the customer pick for you. (Marketing News, November 1, 2007)

Brands That Transgress [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

Turning Green Into Gold [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

In this article, Andrew argues that the question for most companies is not if they will take action to make their brands environmentally friendly, but when and the extent to which they will do so. He then discusses what it takes to successfully make green work as a business and brand builder. (Marketing News, October 1, 2007)

Countering the Innovation Backlash [PDF]
By Kevin O'Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell believes innovation’s role as a driver of organic growth and a differentiator that adds substantially to a brand’s value remains as critical as ever.  In his inaugural column in the newly relaunched Marketing News, a publication of the American Marketing Association, O’Donnell spells out one solution:  Creation of innovation “systems” that foster actionable creativity. (Marketing News, September 1, 2007)

The CMO Challenge: Exiting the Comfort Zone [PDF]
By Michael Dunn

In this article, Michael Dunn argues that in order to be effective, marketers need to up their game, take on the new media, and be prepared to be adventurous, extending their influence over many of the critical business growth drivers. (Argent, September 2007)

Peeling Back the Layers on Innovation [PDF]
By David Aaker

Innovation is now a priority in most firms around the world just as quality was two decades ago. The challenge then was how to transform a quality program and results into a quality image. Today the need is to gain image credit for developing an innovative organization and a flow of innovative products. (BrandWeek, May 1, 2006)

Don't Be Afraid to Plunge Into Emerging Media [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Color today’s marketers dazed and confused. It’s an understandable reaction to an environment that has become almost impossibly complex, making it difficult for them to figure out where to start (or much less how to go about) meeting management’s escalating demands for demonstrable returns. (AdAge, July 23, 2007)

Building a Successful Relationship with China [PDF]
By Michael Dunn

In this article, Michael Dunn advises business-to-business brands to do their homework before entering the Chinese market. Are strategic partnerships the way to drive customer loyalty? (Brand Strategy, May 2007)

The future of Iberia as a brand [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

In this article in one of the leading Spanish financial dailies, Joseph Gelman and Pablo Barrientos reflect on the planned sale of the leading Spanish airline Iberia and the consequences it could have on the brand. *Please note this article is in Spanish. (Cinco Días, May 2007)

There's Nothing New in Desperate Marketing [PDF]
By Eloy Trevino and Scott Davis

Two Choices: Burger King and Ford followed different paths in their quests to grow-and stand as case studies of why the best marketing comes from innovation, not desperation. (Advertising Age, April 23, 2007)

Brands Losing Their Shine [PDF]
By Joseph Gelman

In light of the recent bid for Altadis, the Franco-Spanish tobacco company, Joseph Gelman and Pablo Barrientos express their thoughts on the branding challenges facing the tobacco industry, in an opinion article published in the leading Spanish financial daily Expansión. *Please note this article is in Spanish. (Expansión, marzo 2007)

The Brand Challenge
By Prophet

In this opinion article published in the Spanish advertising and marketing portal Marketing Directo, Luis-Eduardo Rodríguez Baptista expresses his views on the current challenges facing the food service industry. *Please note this article is in Spanish. (Marketing Directo, 16 de abril de 2007)

The Seven Surmountable Hurdles to Marketing Effectiveness [PDF]
By Andrew Pierce

One of the most pressing challenges marketers face today is finding the balance between the art and science of marketing to create strategies and programs that meet measurable business objectives. It’s called marketing effectiveness, and achieving it is doable – once some surmountable barriers are overcome. (MarketingProfs, April 17, 2007)

Only The Strongest CMOs Will Survive [PDF]
By Scott Davis

In this article, Scott discusses the challenges being faced by Senior Marketers and four key mandates they should address on the path toward becoming empowered CMOs. (Advertising Age, January 2007)

How to Get an Ethical Advantage [PDF]
By Prophet

In this article, we discuss three strategies to help companies integrate corporate social responsibility with brand-building efforts. (Brand Strategy, December 2006/January 2007)

At Kohl's, Very Vera Should be Very Wary [PDF]
By Prophet

In this article, Steve Chang discusses the potential impact on Vera Wang's brand by launching a new line of clothing for Kohl's. (BrandWeek.com, October 16, 2006)

Power Switch [PDF]
By Michael Dunn

In many of today's leading organizations, marketing is front and center in driving solid business performance - based on a heightened understanding of and responsiveness to the customer.  Leading the charge are empowered chief marketing officers, who have developed a more expansive influence, range of responsibilities, and view of marketing's capabilities in the broader business scheme. (Marketing Management, September/October 2006)

New Challenges to Marketing's Mandates [PDF]
By Scott Davis

In this article, Scott discusses the need for marketers to take a broader view of their role if they are to contribute successfully to business growth.  This includes thoughts around owning the customer experience, successfully using new technologies, and blending business, brand, and marketing strategies. (Admap, June 2006)

Align Management as Basis for Change [PDF]
By Scott Davis

It is important to create a brand-centric culture that's open to and encourages change, where management is aligned on everyone's role in fostering that environment, and where the basis for moving forward is a shared vision of and commitment to the best of what the brand stands for. (Point, May 2006)

Interesting Bedfellows - Why a Teaming of HR and Marketing Makes Sense
By Jeff Smith

Companies are increasingly realizing that for brand and business strategies to be aligned, the brand can no longer be driven solely by the activities of the marketing department. Delivering against the promises of a brand strategy requires every level of the organization to live the brand. (AMAnet.org, April 2006)

Sidestep the Message as Medium Trap [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Technology has made it possible, through advanced research and information gathering techniques, to forge a deeper understanding of what matters most to customers. (Point, April 2006)

Making Good on Marketing's Promise [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Despite marketing's lingering reputation in some senior management circles as the function that is more interested in spending money than bringing it in, top-level marketers increasingly understand they share the same mandate as their peers in the executive suite: To help drive profitable business growth. (Microsoft Executive Circle, March 2006)

The View From the Top [PDF]
By Morag Cuddeford Jones

David Aaker and several other business gurus discuss key consumer trends and new strategic thinking for companies seeking world-beating brand behavior. (Brand Strategy, March 2006)

Marketers Challenged to Respond to the Changing Nature of Brand Building [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Better-informed consumers are changing the nature of the customer-brand relationship as well as the nature of branding building. As the importance of non-marketing touchpoints such as customer service and the actual in-store experience continues to increase, marketing is challenged to step beyond its traditional role to prove its value in generating business growth. (JAR, January 2006)

How Marketing Can Support the Innovation Imperative [PDF]
By Mike Leiser

Innovation is a major hot button with businesses these days, given its critical role in driving organic business growth. As one survey of 940 senior managers found, all considered growing revenues through innovation as critical to success. Yet more than half were unhappy with their innovation investment returns. (Admap, November 2005)

Chief Marketing Officer: Strategy Dynamo or Creative Dreamer? [PDF]
By Prophet

An organization's senior-most marketing executives can position themselves to better serve as the missing link in the executive team — between marketing's capabilities and corporate growth. (CEO, September 2005)

Innovation: Moving Marketing's Capabilities, Insights Front and Center [PDF]
By Scott Davis

There is a growing need for businesses, and particularly their marketing leadership, to look differently at what constitutes innovation, and create a culture that fosters and rewards it. (Point, September 2005)

The United Nations in Crisis: Negative Perceptions Call for Savvy Marketing to Rebuild its Brand [PDF]
By Prophet

The UN is in a brand crisis. The damage to its reputation is significant, but if the organization is committed to making some significant changes, it's not too late to change course and correct it's tainted image. (Brandchannel.com, August 2005)

Going Against Merging Goliaths Not So Gargantuan a Challenge [PDF]
By Scott Davis

With the recent increase in merger and acquisition activity, this article discusses how marketers in non-merging companies should use this time to reevaluate their strategies to gain competitive advantage. (Point, April 2005)

Five Lessons for a Happy Honeymoon [PDF]
By Prophet

Applying a brand lens on post-merger integration can significantly increase chances of success. This article outlines five key lessons, and includes several examples from the pharmaceutical industry. (Pharma Times, February 2005)

Overcoming Marketing Myopia: Time to Graduate From Marcom 101 [PDF]
By Scott Davis

CMOs and the marketing function can expect intensifying pressure in 2005 to prove their effectiveness in aligning their strategies with how customers buy, and with broader business imperatives. (Point, February 2005)

David Aaker's Perspective on the Future of Marketing [PDF]
By David Aaker

In a growing number of businesses, marketing will have more of a strategic role. (The Marketer, January 2005)

Creating the Brand-Driven Business: A Roadmap for the CEO [PDF]
By Michael Dunn and Scott Davis

A point of view on the role CEO's play in creating brand-driven businesses and a toolkit to guide their efforts - reprint of Handbook of Business Strategy 2004 (Thexis, January 2005)

How CMOs Can Earn a Seat at the Strategy Table [PDF]
By Scott Davis

With all the talk of the emerging role of the star CMO as a high-level strategic thinker, this article discusses what separates strategic CMOs from tactical CMOs, long-time CMOs to short-timers, and what gets the CMO a seat at the strategy table. (Point/Advertising Age, November 2004)

Brand Master [PDF]
By David Aaker

An in-depth interview with David Aaker on issues in branding and how they are affecting financial services. (Argent, August 2004)

Struggling To Find a Voice [PDF]
By Prophet

A discussion of the key observations form a survey of Financial Services Forum members on value and its role in marketing strategy. (Argent, August 2004)

Three Strategies for Integrating CSR with Brand Marketing [PDF]
By Prophet

Increasingly, companies are putting a public face on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity. The authors describe three different approaches for incorporating CSR activities with marketing activities. (Market Leader, Summer 2004)

UBS: Brand Building in a Global Market [PDF]
By Jestyn Thirkell-White

A case study on the change in brand strategy and brand management apporach at UBS (Admap, July 2004)

Autopsy on Olds: Death By Neglect, Stagnation [PDF]
By Prophet

A perspective on what it takes to save a dying brand. (Automotive News, June 2004)

Why Banks Have to Learn Brand Management [PDF]
By Prophet

A perspective on the importance and challenge of building brands in the financial services sector. (Retail Banker International, November 2003)

Branding For Banks [PDF]
By Prophet

An introduction to the importance of brand building in the financial sector, typical challenges that financial institutions face, and a five-step brand management checklist. (Edition IV, News for Banks, November 2003)

Pulling the Hidden Lever - How Hotel Brands Help Tackle Business Issues [PDF]
By Prophet

A point of view on the importance of investing in hotel brands even during tough economic times. (National Hotel Executive, August 2003)

Your Brand is Much More than a Name [PDF]
By Prophet

A perspective on the importance of brand building in the insurance industry. (Risk & Insurance, June 2003)

Executive Brand Councils Perform Strategic Role [PDF]
By Scott Davis

Insights into the rise in Executive Brand Councils and the strategic role they play in decision-making. (Marketing News, April 2003)

Beyond Advertising [PDF]
By Prophet

a perspective on reaching your customers in unique ways. (National Hotel Executive, January 2003)

Brand Asset Management: How Business Can Profit from the Power of Brand*
By Scott Davis

A look into how several successful companies manage their brands as strategic assets. (Journal of Consumer Marketing, September 2002)

Operationalizing the Brand: 2002 Best Practices Study [PDF]
By Prophet

Prophet conducted a study among 90 global corporations to explore best practices in branding today. The study found that only a small majority (53%) has a long-term brand strategy in place, and of that number only 40% are "very" satisfied with it. (January 2002)

Brand It!*
By Scott Davis

Article on corporate branding and why organizations need to make brand a strategic driver for the entire organization. (US Business Review, August 2001)

B2B Branding: Avoiding the Pitfalls [PDF]
By Prophet

This in depth article highlights the challenges of building a B2B brand and provides guidance on steps that mangers can take to effectively build their brands. (Business2Business Marketers, July 2001)