Thesis (MTech (Marketing))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / By virtue of existence, a brand has a history, and probably an envisaged future. Collectively these variables are understood to be central to a brand’s identity formulation. However, there are various other elements that may inform brand identity construction. This study investigated brand identity formulation of a bank brand in the South African banking sector. In essence, the current study probed variables or elements that inform brand identity formulation, in this service oriented sector. It is understood that individual human identities can collectively influence the formulation of an institution’s brand identity, among other factors. Therefore, a question arises whether academic brand identity theory and practice are congruent in service sectors, particularly the South African banking sector. Dominated by few major banks, the South African banking sector is characterised by an oligopolistic market structure, where services provided are seen to be generic. Hence, the current inquiry on the practice (or lack thereof) of brand identity theory for differentiation, and distinction purposes. In this regard, Nedbank was used as a reference institution. In essence, Nedbank brand identity was investigated.

M.A. / The shift from the Old to the New Economy has developed due to four key trends, namely globalisation, consumerism, environmentalism and corporate governance. Globalisation and the Internet has resulted in consumers being able to track the behaviour of corporations (Vise, 2006:119) and consequently, a New Consumer has emerged, where emphasis on corporate transparency and the environment has become a key concern for these New Consumers. New Consumers are characterised by Lewis and Bridger (2000:21) as independent, sophisticated, involved and well informed about the production of goods and services, where these New Consumers are feeling the pressure to confront and act upon the fact that unbridled production and consumption, which was proliferate in the Old Economy, comes with escalating pollution at a significant human/animal/earth cost (Trendwatching, 2007). Moreover, in the world of globalisation and information overload, Salzer-Mörling and Strannegård (2004:224) argue that the proliferation of brands as well as a cluttered marketplace has meant that corporations now need to not only be differentiated in the marketplace, but also be distinct and one of the ways which corporations in the New Economy are achieving this is by focusing on the corporate brand as the point of differentiation.