Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When engaging in brand-building, marketers often appeal to consumers’ senses. However, one of the senses which has often been ignored by marketers is the consumer’s ability to hear. This state of affairs is puzzling, as sound in its various forms can play a central role in brand-building (Krishnan, Kellaris and Aurand, 2012). Using sound as a strategic marketing tool is known as sonic or audio branding. Sonic branding is defined as the strategic use of sound to create a distinctive auditory identity for a brand (Krishnan et al., 2012). The general idea is to utilise sound and music more consciously to create a link between the consumer and the brand and to not only use music to support an advertisement (Groves, 2012). Successful sonic branding creates triggers that disrupt existing patterns, attract the consumer’s attention and remind the consumer of positive experiences with the brand (Beckerman and Gray, 2014). In-store music, jingles and sonic logos are examples of audio elements that can be used as sonic branding tools. A sonic logo is a small piece of music or sound that is connected to the brand (Groves, 2012) and is sometimes perceived as the auditory counterpart of the visual logo of the brand (Krishnan et al., 2012). Despite the fact that sound has the ability to influence different areas of consumer behaviour (Krishna, 2012), there is limited information available on how a brand can utilise sound strategically to create a unique identity for a brand and how a sonic logo ought to be selected. Research on the subject is limited because sound is often processed at an emotional subconscious level and traditional research methods cannot measure the influence of sound on the emotional response of the consumer. Using traditional research methods to investigate the impact of sound in branding is also subject to potential measurement error. One of the key benefits of using neurophysiological research methods is to narrow the “say” versus the “do” gap in consumer behaviour research (Van Praet, 2012:22) and to investigate the influence of stimuli on emotions. The purpose of this study is to understand how sonic logos are processed by the consumer at an emotional subconscious level. Television advertisements for vehicle and electronic brands were used to assess the subconscious impact of the sonic logos used at the end of six advertisments. The neurophysiological research methods used for data collection were electroenchepalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG) and galvanic skin response. The results revealed a significant difference between how males and females emotionally processed the sonic logos of certain brands (EMG). This differentiation ought to be taken into consideration when selecting an audio element for a brand. The emotional responses of the participants towards the sonic logos did not indicate a long-term effect (EEG). This could suggest that the way in which certain brands are currently using sonic logos is not necessarily effective in creating a long-term emotional connection. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bemarkers fokus gereeld op die sintuie wanneer die identiteit van handelsmerk geskep word. Die vermoë van die verbruiker om te hoor word egter grotendeels geïgnoreer. Die situasie is verbasend, aangesien klank ʼn belangrike rol kan speel in die bou van ʼn handelsmerk (Krishnan, Kellaris en Aurand, 2012). Die strategiese gebruik van klank in bemarking staan bekend as “sonic branding”. Dit word gedefineer as die strategiese gebruik van klank on ‘n unieke identiteit vir ‘n handelsmerk te skep (Krishnan et al., 2012). Die algemene idee is dat bemarkers meer bewus van musiek en klank behoort te wees, dit strategies gebruik en nie slegs as agtergrond musiek vir ‘n advertensie nie.As musiek of klank susksesvol gebruik word, sal dit die aandag van die verbruiker trek en hom/haar herinner aan positiewe ervarings met die handelsmerk (Beckerman en Gray, 2014). Musiek, “jingles” en die klank-merk van ʼn handelsmerk is voorbeelde van klankelemente wat strategies gebruik kan word. ʼn Klank-merk is ʼn kort stuk musiek of ʼn geluid wat met die handelsmerk geassosieer is (Groves, 2012) en word op dieselfde manier as die visuele logo van ‘n handelsmerk gebruik. Ten spyte van die feit dat klank die vermoeë het om die verbruiker se gedrag in verskillende areas te beïnvloed (Krishna, 2012), is daar min inligting beskikbaar oor hoe ʼn bemarker klank strategies kan gebruik om ʼn unieke identiteit vir ʼn handelsmerk te skep, sowel as hoe ʼn spesifieke geluid van ʼn handelsmerk gekies behoort te word. Navorsing in die area is heel moontlik beperk as gevolg van die feit dat meeste klanke op ʼn emosionele vlak, onder die bewussyn van die verbruiker, geprosesseer word en tradisionele navorsing metodes kan nie die volle effek op die emosionele reaksie meet nie. Die gebruik van tradisionele navorsing metodes om die effek van klank te bestudeer mag moontlik ook foute teweegbring. ʼn Belangrike voordeel van neurofisiologiese navorsing is dat dit die verskil tussen wat verbruikers sê en in werklikheid doen in ag geneem (Van Praet, 2012:22) en die invloed van stimuli op die emosies van die verbruiker bestudeer. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te bestudeer hoe die klank-merk van ʼn handelsmerk in die emosionele onderbewussyn van die verbruiker geprosesseer word. Ses televisie advertensies met klank-merke in die finale tonele is gebruik om die invloed van die klank-merk op die onderbewussyn van die verbruiker te bestudeer. Die advertensies van voertuig en elektroniese handelsmerke is vir die studie gebruik. Die volgende neurofisiologiese navorsing metodes is gebruik: EEG, EMG, sowel as vel geleiding. Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat daar ʼn beduiende verskil is tussen hoe mans en vrouens die klank-merk van ʼn handelsmerk prosesseer (EMG). Die verskil behoort oorweeg te word wanneer die klankelemente van ʼn handelsmerk gekies word. Die deelnemers se emosionele reaksie teenoor die klank-merk het egter nie ʼn lang-termyn effek gehad nie (EEG). Met ander woorde, die manier waarop sekere handelsmerke klank strategies gebruik is nie noodwendig effektief om ʼn lang-termyn emosionele verbinding tussen die verbruiker en die handelsmerk te bou nie.

Re-branding is an opportunity for marketers of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) to reposition the brand and differentiate it from competitor‘s products. However, in spite of the significant opportunities and benefits that re-branding presents if carried out correctly, some marketers simply fail to successfully deliver ‗new‘ brand images to customers, and others are faced with a ‗back-lash‘ from consumers and are forced to revert to the original branding. Since there is a dearth of knowledge on the practical efforts of re-branding FMCGs by the world‘s largest companies, an exploratory study using a mixed methods approach was conducted to understand re-branding at one of the world‘s largest FMCGs companies, namely Nestle SA. More specifically, an investigating was conducted to understand the process Nestlé followed in re-branding its coffee and other beverage brands from 2010 to 2012; the type of re-branding strategy that was used to position and reposition its beverage brands; the importance of retaining a corporate brand name, logo and image when rebranding; and the turnover pattern during the years when re-branding was undertaken. The Nestle managers‘ perceptions on the cost versus the benefits of re-branding were also ascertained. Six managers who represented the marketing, packaging and customer service divisions of Nestle‘s (Escourt) coffee and beverage brands formed the convenience sample of this study. The concurrent mixed methods approach which consisted of two phases was used. A structured questionnaire using opened and closed ended questions were used to conduct interviews with the sample. In addition internal official documentation related to re-branding, namely, policies and turnover reports were reviewed and analysed. It became evident that Nestlé‘s key reason for re-branding is innovation of the coffee and beverage brands. It was also ascertained that Nestlé has a customized re-branding strategy for each product and, the Nestle logo proved to be the most important identifier of the company and is therefore always retained during re-branding. It was also apparent that respondents viewed the benefits of re-branding as outweighing the costs. Furthermore, since the sales fluctuated post re-branding, it was concluded that with respect to the products concerned at Nestle, that there is no direct relationship between re-branding and sales. The implications of the findings for marketers of FMCGs are that they need to be cognizant of the need to change the ‗look and feel‖ of brands over time to keep them relevant and compete effectively. Furthermore, they need to ensure that the changes are gradual, acceptable and relevant, and that all the costs of re-branding are taken into consideration so that an informed decision to re-brand is made. Furthermore, marketers should be aware that re-branding which is not properly carried out can be damaging to the brand, and the importance of social media as a tool to communicate with consumers prior, during and post re-branding should not be underplayed. As with all research studies, this study had certain limitations which restricts the ability to generalize the findings to all FMCGs companies. This was more of a ‗case‘ study, although it involved an international FMCG company. Perhaps a comparative study of re-branding coffee and beverage brands at Nestlé‘s factories in other countries may serve to compare and strengthen the findings. It could also shed light on Nestlé‘s‘ international re-branding strategies, which findings could then be more relevant for generalization. A further limitation of this study is that although internal documents were provided, limitations were placed in terms of the information that could be divulged in this study. This resulted in sales units being estimated from documentation and therefore accurate figures could not be disclosed. Future studies should be anonymously conducted so that more informed recommendations could be made with respect to turnover and expenditure on re-branding. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2013.

A Masters dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of the Master of Commerce (Marketing) in The School of Economic and Business Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand. DECEMBER 2015 / Tourism has become one of the most significant export sectors in many developing countries and is purported to be the most viable and sustainable economic option, and in some of these (developing) nations, the main source of foreign exchange returns. It is therefore incumbent on destinations to effectively differentiate themselves especially when considering the increasingly competitive nature of tourism markets and an environment where many places that present similar features are becoming substitutionable. Contemporary urban development literature stresses the significance of place branding as an asset in the effective differentiation and positioning of places. It is noted that while many sources viewed the three main target markets for place branding as companies, visitors and residents, the role of the resident was limited to passive beneficiary as opposed to one of active engagement. Given the pervasion of the “staycation” and the concurrent rise in popularity of the Braamfontein Precinct, this paper will investigate the influence that place branding has had on the region’s perceived image by those within the precinct. Self-administered structured surveys were distributed electronically and using the street-intercept method to individuals aged 18 – 35, who were in the Braamfontein Precinct. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were examined. Path Modeling, Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling were also carried out in order to further analyse the data. The findings with regard to presented city brand, city brand equity and city brand meaning having a positive relationship with city brand image were both supported and significant at a 5% level of confidence. The findings with regard to city brand awareness having a positive relationship with city brand image were insignificant and consequently rejected. The study presents that investment in the presented city brand that goes beyond marketing communications to include city brand properties such as facilities, scenery, heritage and transport (amongst other amenities) will result in a favourable city brand image. It is also important that regional managers do not take a unilateral approach on deciding on a brand meaning but rather a consultative one that will result in involvement and ultimately investment from the various stakeholders. Additionally, the generation of curiosity and interest in the city brand is vital to encouraging customer involvement with the precinct. Digital marketing tools can be employed in this regard; online and search advertising can be used to raise awareness. Finally, social media can be used for customer generated content, allowing for both participation on the consumers’ part and insights on the part of the regional management. This allows for engagement with consumers and provides branding opportunities for the region. / MT2017

Thesis (M.M. (Strategic Marketing))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Business Administration, 2015. / Corporate rebranding has been a topic of study for many years, as exemplified in the work of scholars such as Rosenthal (2003), Simms and Trott (2007), Abratt and Kleyn (2012), and Muzellec and Lambkin (2006). Despite the high level of academic interest in researching corporate rebranding, there has been an overwhelming bias towards its effects on consumers within developed markets. Although the fact that many prior studies have been conducted on corporate rebranding and employee engagement, there is scant research on emerging markets, such as in South Africa. These previous studies did not adopt the Saks (2006) employee engagement model in an emerging market context to investigate the effects corporate rebranding can have on employee engagement in an emerging market context. The chosen case studies are a talent measurement company that underwent a corporate rebranding process in 2011, as well as an advisory company that also went through rebranding in 2013. The two companies fall within the same industry, thus the choice of a single embedded case study. Since the research aims to explore “the how and why”, a qualitative research method was found most fitting. The analysis was based on data collected during 26 in-depth interviews with senior managers, consultants, supportive staff, and marketing professionals. Data from the interviews were analysed using an open-code method in which eight key themes were identified. The researcher triangulated the data collected from the primary interviews, as well as secondary sources such as staff internal drafts, eComms, Q&A sheets, brochures, flyers, and media reviews. The results of Company A (SHL), revealed that not all employees understood the reason for corporate rebranding. Senior levels of management and consultants seemed to understand that the reason for the rebranding was to reposition SHL and combine two companies following a merger with PreVisor. In Company B (EY), the results revealed a similar level of understanding behind the reasons for corporate rebranding. Managers understood the reasons for corporate rebranding as an opportunity to gain new markets and reposition EY. ii According to the cross-case analysis compared to the Saks model of engagement, the corporate rebranding exercise had a positive impact on organisational commitment and organisational citizen behaviour. In terms of intention to quit, a corporate rebranding exercise is more likely to reduce intentions to quit. It was also established that there was no direct impact on job satisfaction due to the SHL and EY corporate rebranding. An unexpected outcome of the research was that during uncertain times of change, such as corporate rebranding, employees with strong loyalty to the brand are more inclined to stay with the brand and see the change through. This loyalty is rooted deeper than the current state of employee job satisfaction and engagement levels and more inclined to the company’s brand. The other interesting outcome was that a corporate rebranding exercise can ignite employees’ spirits and create a positive organisational culture, which is more likely to increase work efficiency and productivity. Even though the research could not link corporate rebranding to job satisfaction, the other contracts of the Saks model, which includes organisational commitment, intention to quit and organisational citizenship behaviour, could be directly linked. Therefore, the outcome of the research identified the reasons for the companies to go through corporate rebranding exercises; namely to reposition the companies and gain new markets. In light of the second research question, which referred to the effects of corporate rebranding on employee engagement, the research revealed that in line with the Saks model of engagement, certain aspects of engagement are enhanced by corporate rebranding and others, just as job satisfaction, have no impact at all. At the end of the study, research implications, limitations, and areas for future research are suggested. / DM2016

Thesis (M.M. (Strategic Marketing))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2016. / This study addresses the nature of the relationship between brand citizenship behaviour and its antecedent instigator, strategic internal brand management as they pertain to the quest for distinctive service competencies by firms in the financial services sector. In today’s fast moving technologically accelerated world of commerce and industry, the quest for differentiation and innovation has simultaneously become acute while at the same time significantly more challenging to attain and sustain. Such behoves organisations to identify competency areas that can be leveraged for segment level distinctiveness. For one, the value of a strong brand is well recognised in business and much has been written about the diversity of elements that accentuate the construct of a brand. Being exploratory in nature, the study was guided by a qualitative design. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of executives representing the functions of marketing, human resources and operations from a selection of leading South African financial services firms as part of an exploratory investigation. These senior level practitioners were identified in literature as the anchors upon which meaningful strategic initiative emanates. The aspirant attainment of employees who become true citizens of the brand in their behaviour towards customers and other stakeholders was noted to be an outcome of leadership deliberateness in ensuring sustained immersion of employees in an organisation’s culture and values. A model that offers a foundation for the identification of key intra-organisational constructs and processes was proposed as a key outcome of the study. In addition, the study raises awareness of how to frame the scope of aspects that need to be included into an integrated approach to internal brand management to yield employee brand citizenship behaviour and ultimately assist in enhancing an organisation’s differentiation efforts. Keywords: internal brand management, brand citizenship behaviour, brand identity, brand communication, brand leadership, internal marketing, retail financial services. / DH2016

Orientador: Edson Roberto Scharf. / Dissertação (Mestrado em Administração) - Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração, Centro de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas, Universidade Regional de Blumenau, Blumenau,

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management of Strategic Marketing, Johannesburg, 2016 / Place branding is defined as the application of marketing techniques and activities, to differentiate and attract interest to promote the social and economic growth of cities, regions and countries. If marketers are to market their respective places effectively, they need to get a sense of the key characteristics that make up a place identity, with particular attention paid to what is perceived or understood as the image. The role of local residents is emphasised in the process of identifying the key attributes that comprise the identity and image of a place. The purpose of this research is to establish the identity of the City of Johannesburg from the perspective of stakeholders responsible for branding the metropolitan and to investigate the perceptions and image of the metropolitan by local residents. The research methodology adopted was a mixed method approach. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with destination marketing practitioners and the results were content analysed to identify key themes. The quantitative study sought to investigate the perceptions and image of the City of Johannesburg held by local residents using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions relating to views on place identity, place image and communicated identity. Structural equation modelling was employed in the study for the purpose of analysing the quantitative data. Given the common brand associations made by practitioners and local residents interviewed, one can conclude that the City of Johannesburg is fundamentally South Africa's business hub and associated with opportunities and these associations are unlikely to change and will stay constant as the City goes through various growth cycles. The multi-faceted image of the City of Johannesburg was demonstrated by the different responses elicited from marketing practitioners and local residents. The crime association image does not bode well for the metropolitan and concerted ii efforts are required from all stakeholders involved in marketing the City to deal with the city's negative image / GR2018

A new perspective on consumer behavior is proposed using theoretical predictions developed from behavioral ecology, economics, and evolutionary psychology. These predictions pose the possibility that consumers often make choices based on mental processing heuristics evolved long before the extensive human development of the cerebral cortex, and are therefore automatic, interrelated, and non-conscious. The literature review develops theoretical platforms that suggest consumer choice may be based on signal qualities that are expected to be honest indicators of the quality of the signaler and synthesized into the concept of 'Advertiser Fitness.' The construct of Advertiser Fitness is conceived as integrated perceptions of advertiser creativity (signal style) and perceptions of perceived quality of ad production (signal quality), and is statistically validated across two product categories, cell phone services and auto insurance. In addition, Advertiser Fitness is shown to have statistically significant positive associations with traditional measures of advertising effectiveness, including Attitude Toward the Ad, Attitude Toward the Brand, and Purchase Intent. The interrelated constructs of Perceived Honesty, Perceived Advertiser Status, Self-Relevance, and Potential Word of Mouth are also shown to be have statistically significant positive correlations with the Advertiser Fitness construct and with the traditional measures of advertising effectiveness: Attitude Toward the Ad, Attitude Toward the Brand, and Purchase Intent. These constructs appear to be inter-related and redundant rather than having causal, linear relationships. The results suggest that observable creative dimensions of advertiser signals convey signaler (advertiser) quality. Similarly, impressions of signaler (advertiser) status are important inputs for the formation of positive consumer perceptions and are associated with measures of potential action including purchase intention and predicted word-of-mouth. This work opens a new window into understanding consumer behavior by introducing contemporary observation to evolutionary sources of motivation for behavior, and views consumer markets as dynamic ecosystems which can potentially be illuminated by better understanding and application of phenomena in natural ecosystems for consumer behavior.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Marketing, Quantitative Analysis and Business Law. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.F.A.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2009. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 34).