Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2018. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Creating brand equity, that is, building a strong brand is a successful strategy for differentiating a product from competing brands (Aaker, 1991: 256). Brand equity provides sustainable competitive advantages, because it creates meaningful competitive barriers. Brand equity is developed through perceived quality, brand loyalty, brand awareness and brand associations, which cannot be either built or destroyed in the short run; but can be created only in the long run through carefully designed marketing investment. This study aims to examine the practicality and application of a customer-based brand equity model, based on Aaker’s (1991: 256) well-known conceptual framework of brand equity. The study investigates the causal relationships between the 4 dimensions of brand equity and brand equity itself. It specifically measured the way in which consumers’ perceptions of the dimensions of brand equity affected the overall brand equity evaluations. Data were collected from a sample of house-wives in South Africa. The study concludes that brand loyalty and perceived quality is the most influential dimension of brand equity. Support was also found for the brand awareness and brand association dimensions. Implications for marketing managers and marketing planners are discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die skep van handelsmerkekwiteit “brand equity”, wat die bou van sterk handelsmerke impliseer, is 'n suksesvolle strategie om 'n produk van mededingende produkte te onderskei (Aaker, 1991: 256). Handelsmerkekwiteit voorsien volgehoue mededingende voordele omrede dit betekenisvolle mededingende hindernisse skep. Dit is ontwikkel op grond van kwaliteitsherkenning, handlesmerklojaliteit, kwaliteitsbewustheid en kwaliteitsassosiasies. Handelsmerkekwiteit kan geskep word deur omsigtige bemarkingsinvestering. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om die toepaslikheid en praktiese toepassing van 'n kliëntgebasseerde ekwiteitsmodel te ondersoek en is gebaseer op Aaker (1991: 256) se bekende konseptuele handelsmerk-ekwiteitsraamwerk. Die studie ondersoek die kousale verwantskap tussen die vier handelsmerkekwiteitsdimensies en die algehele ekwiteitsevaluasie. Dit meet die wyse waarop die verbruiker se persepsie van die dimensies ekwiteit beïnvloed en die algehele ekwiteitsevaluasie. Data-insameling is gedoen onder huisvrouens in Suid-Afrika. Die resultate bevestig dat handelsmerklojaliteitlojaliteit en kwaliteitherkenning die mees invloedryke dimensies van handelsmerekwiteit is. Ondersteuning is ook gevind vir die kwaliteitsbewustheid en assosiasie dimensies. Hiervolgens is implikasies vir bemarkingbestuurders en -beplanners geformuleer.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2018. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Creating brand equity, that is, building a strong brand is a successful strategy for differentiating a product from competing brands (Aaker, 1991: 256). Brand equity provides sustainable competitive advantages, because it creates meaningful competitive barriers. Brand equity is developed through perceived quality, brand loyalty, brand awareness and brand associations, which cannot be either built or destroyed in the short run; but can be created only in the long run through carefully designed marketing investment. This study aims to examine the practicality and application of a customer-based brand equity model, based on Aaker’s (1991: 256) well-known conceptual framework of brand equity. The study investigates the causal relationships between the 4 dimensions of brand equity and brand equity itself. It specifically measured the way in which consumers’ perceptions of the dimensions of brand equity affected the overall brand equity evaluations. Data were collected from a sample of house-wives in South Africa. The study concludes that brand loyalty and perceived quality is the most influential dimension of brand equity. Support was also found for the brand awareness and brand association dimensions. Implications for marketing managers and marketing planners are discussed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die skep van handelsmerkekwiteit “brand equity”, wat die bou van sterk handelsmerke impliseer, is 'n suksesvolle strategie om 'n produk van mededingende produkte te onderskei (Aaker, 1991: 256). Handelsmerkekwiteit voorsien volgehoue mededingende voordele omrede dit betekenisvolle mededingende hindernisse skep. Dit is ontwikkel op grond van kwaliteitsherkenning, handlesmerklojaliteit, kwaliteitsbewustheid en kwaliteitsassosiasies. Handelsmerkekwiteit kan geskep word deur omsigtige bemarkingsinvestering. Die doelwit van hierdie studie was om die toepaslikheid en praktiese toepassing van 'n kliëntgebasseerde ekwiteitsmodel te ondersoek en is gebaseer op Aaker (1991: 256) se bekende konseptuele handelsmerk-ekwiteitsraamwerk. Die studie ondersoek die kousale verwantskap tussen die vier handelsmerkekwiteitsdimensies en die algehele ekwiteitsevaluasie. Dit meet die wyse waarop die verbruiker se persepsie van die dimensies ekwiteit beïnvloed en die algehele ekwiteitsevaluasie. Data-insameling is gedoen onder huisvrouens in Suid-Afrika. Die resultate bevestig dat handelsmerklojaliteitlojaliteit en kwaliteitherkenning die mees invloedryke dimensies van handelsmerekwiteit is. Ondersteuning is ook gevind vir die kwaliteitsbewustheid en assosiasie dimensies. Hiervolgens is implikasies vir bemarkingbestuurders en -beplanners geformuleer.

This masters thesis identifies and analyzes the aspects and specifics of branding of an artist in the art industry, which is relatively different from the branding which we know from the corporate world. The first section defines the theoretical background of the branding and marketing communication with focus on those aspects that are relative to an art and its market specifics. Theoretical definition in combination with the outcome of qualitative research, which was conducted with outperforming contemporary artists and representatives of leading galleries in Czech Republic, helps to outline the most important factors and subjects influencing the artists brand creation process which is described in the practical part of this masters thesis. Besides the quality of the piece of art itself, the aspect of the strong brand is unquestionably increasing the value of artists production. Therefore, this chapter investigates those factors and subjects that have remarkable impact on the value of the artists pieces of art. The last section of this paper gives local and international best examples of contemporary artists with strong brand.

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate how IT companies can apply Industry branding in their marketing strategy, with the aim to market the IT industry to influence young women to choose an IT education at a college or university. Method – The study has an explorative purpose to provide new insights on the topic of Industry branding. A deductive research approach has been applied. A literature study was first conducted to create a picture of current research. Secondly, a theoretical framework, which laid the foundation for the data collection that was used in a multiple case study in the IT industry. The study was compiled through semi-structured interviews with IT companies and young women in high school. The empirical data was then analyzed by a thematic analysis. Result – The conclusion from this study is that young women in high school do not have the same picture of the IT industry as IT companies has. The high school girls see an industry that is boring, sedentary and lacks human interactions. In contrast, IT companies describe their industry as exciting and unlimited. Thus, there is a gap between Brand identity and Brand image. Theoretical implication – The results indicated that the existing theories regarding Employer branding, Brand identity, Brand image and Employer attractiveness could be applied to the more aggregate industry level, Industry branding. Furthermore, the study has contributed with knowledge to reduce the gap between Brand identity and Brand image, for the study ́s target group; IT companies and young women in high school. Practical implication – The study's practical implication has identified the greatest development potential of all IT companies, which is to start working with Industry branding towards young women in high school. To achieve this, a collaboration across companies' own boundaries and marketing via social media is recommended to reach this study ́s target group. / Syftet – Denna studie har som syfte att undersöka hur IT-företag kan arbeta med Industry branding, med målet att marknadsföra IT-branschen för att påverka unga kvinnor att välja en IT-utbildning på en högskola eller universitet. Metod – Studien har ett explorativt syfte att ge nya insikter i ämnet Industry branding och en deduktiv forskningsansats applicerades. En litteraturstudie genomfördes först, för att skapa ett teoretiskt ramverk. Ramverket la grunden för datainsamlingen som genomfördes av en multipel fallstudie inom IT-branschen. Studiens empiri samlades in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Nio IT-företag och tio unga kvinnor på gymnasiet intervjuades. Empirin analyserades sedan genom en tematisk analys. Resultat – Resultatet som studien har kommit fram till är att unga kvinnor på gymnasiet inte har samma bild av IT-branschen som IT-företagen har. Gymnasietjejerna ser en bransch som är tråkig och som saknar mänskliga interaktioner. I kontrast, beskriver IT-företagen sin bransch som spännande och obegränsad, vilket tyder på ett gap mellan Brand identity och Brand image. Teoretiskt bidrag – Studiens teoretiska bidrag är hur befintliga teorier kring Employer branding, Brand identity, Brand image samt Employer attractiveness skulle kunna tillämpas på den mer aggregerade branschnivån genom Industry branding. Detta för att minska gapet mellan Brand identity och Brand image, från två perspektiv; IT-företag och unga kvinnor på gymnasiet. Praktiskt bidrag – Studiens praktiska bidrag har identifierat den största utvecklingspotentialen som samtliga IT-företag har; att börja arbeta med Industry branding mot unga kvinnor på gymnasiet. För att genomföra detta rekommenderas ett samarbete över företagens egna gränser och marknadsföring via sociala medier för att nå fram till unga kvinnor på gymnasiet.