BOOK

Managing Brand Equity

David Aaker

Summary

In a fascinating and insightful examination of the phenomenon of brand equity, Aaker provides a clear and well-defined structure of the relationship between a brand and its symbol and slogan, as well as each of the five underlying assets, which will clarify for managers exactly how brand equity does contribute value.

The most important assets of any business are intangible: its company name, brands, symbols and slogans, and their underlying associations, perceived quality, name awareness, customer base and proprietary resources such as patents, trademarks and channel relationships. These assets, which comprise brand equity, are a primary source of competitive advantage and future earnings, contends David Aaker, a national authority on branding. Yet, research shows that managers cannot identify with confidence their brand associations, levels of consumer awareness or degree of customer loyalty. Moreover in the last decade, managers desperate for short-term financial results have often unwittingly damaged their brands through price promotions and unwise brand extensions, causing irreversible deterioration of the value of the brand name. Although several companies, such as Canada Dry and Colgate-Palmolive, have recently created an equity management position to be guardian of the value of brand names, far too few managers, Aaker concludes, really understand the concept of brand equity and how it must be implemented.

He opens each chapter of “Managing Brand Equity” with a historical analysis of either the success or failure of a particular company’s attempt at building brand equity: the fascinating Ivory soap story, the transformation of Datsun to Nissan, the decline of Schlitz beer, the making of the Ford Taurus and others. Finally, citing examples from many other companies, Aaker shows how to avoid the temptation to place short-term performance before the health of the brand and, instead, to manage brands strategically by creating, developing and exploiting each of the five assets in turn.

“Managing Brand Equity” is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever books are sold.

Endorsements

William Wells
Executive Vice-President, DDB Needham Worldwide

Brand equity is among the hottest topics in advertising and marketing today. This book is the most comprehensive and most insightful source available.

About the Author

David Aaker, is the author of over one hundred articles and 18 books on marketing, business strategy and branding that have sold over one million copies. A recognized authority on branding, he has developed concepts and methods on brand building that are used by organizations around the world.

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