Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Brands are getting more and more valuable. In this age of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. the value of brands is a key detenninant of a company value and stock market capitalization. For the consumer a brand also plays a significant role. It is seen as a sign of quality, helping them make their purchasing decisions. Yet brand loyalty and established customer relationships can no longer be taken for granted or assumed to last forever in an environment of increased competition. Brand loyalty is vitally dependent on how the relationship between the brand and the consumer is nurtured and specifically developed: A strong brand brings with it the opportunity to raise the proftle of a product and the company that sells it, setting them apart from rivals in the marketplace. A strong brand even allows companies to command a price premium for their products. In this way the value of a brand or brand equity becomes a company's most important asset. But the questions are: How much is the brand actually worth? And how can a brand's value be boosted? The term brand equity originated as a business-financial concept, and consists in "[the] net present value of all future net surpluses over his cash input that the owner of a brand can earn". Such financially oriented measurement of brand equity is a suitable approach for expressing it as a monetary value as required for purposes of financial statements, licensing agreements or acquisition decisions. There is a wide variety of brand valuation models available to detennine a monetary value on brand equity, but in some cases these models are controversial. and the value of their resu1ts as an objective statement may be limited. The consumer oriented perspective on brand equity sets itself apart from the financial approach by focusing on the judgments made by consumers, with a view to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of marketing measures and also brand management on a longterm basis. This behavioural approach endeavours to reach a qualitative explanation of the factors driving brand equity and to determine psychological constructs of brand strength by means of operational measurement. The underlying study project illustrates some of the most common brand valuation models, shows their respective advantages and disadvantages and explores the different approaches to brand equity. Methods to increase brand equity by putting it in the focus ofa Value Based Brand Management explain its drivers and individual brand processes. This approach to a successful brand management is fmally compared with the current brand management process of the FMCG brand NNEA. Recommendations on how this international brand could be managed more efficiently with respect to brand equity conclude this study project. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Handelsmerke raak al hoe meer waardevol. In hierdie eeu van oorgrens-samesmeltings en oornames, is die waarde van 'n handelsmerk 'n sleutelfaktor om 'n maatskappy se waarde en aandelebeurs-kapitalisering te bepaal. Handelsmerke speel ook 'n belangrike rol in die lewe van verbruikers. Dit word beskou as 'n simbool van kwaliteit, 'n hulpmiddel om aankopebesluite te vergemaklik. Nietemin kan lojaliteit teenoor 'n handelsmerk en gevestigede klienteverhoudings nie as vanselfsprekend aanvaar word, of aanvaar word dat dit vir altyd sal aanhou, in 'n omgewing waar kompetisie toeneem nie. Lojaliteit teenoor 'n handelsmerk is in essensie afhanklik van hoe die verhouding tussen die handelsmerk en die verbruiker opgepas en spesifiek ontwikkel word: 'n gevestigde handelsmerk skep die geleentheid om die profiel van 'n produk, asook die relevante maatskappy se profiel, te verhoog - en derhalwe hulle te onderskei van mededingers in die mark. 'n Sterk handelsmerk bring selfs mee dat 'n prys-premie vir produkte gehef kan word. Op die manier word die handelsmerkwaarde of handelsmerk-ekwiteit 'n maatskappy se grootste bate. Maar die vraag is: hoeveel is 'n handelsmerk eintlik werd? Asook, hoe kan 'n handelsmerk se waarde vermeerder word? Die term handelsmerk-ekwiteit het sy oorsprong as 'n besigheidfinansiele konsep en is gewortel in "[die] netto huidige waarde van aIle toekomstige netto surplusse oor die kapitale-insette wat die eienaar van die handelsmerk kan verdien". Bogenoemde finansieel - georienteerde maatstaf van handelsmerk-ekwiteit, is 'n geskikte benadering om dit in monetere waarde uit te druk, soos benodig vir finansiele state, lisensiering-ooreenkomste of oorname besluite. Daar is 'n wye verskeidenheid handelsmerk waardasie modelle beskikbaar om die monetere waarde van handelsmerk-ekwiteit te bepaal, maar in sommige gevalle is die modelle kontroversieel, wat daartoe lei dat die waarde van hulle resultate, as 'n objektiewe waarneming, beperk kan wees. Die verbruiker- georienteerde benadering tot handelsmerk-ekwiteit onderskei homself van die finansiele benadering deur te fokus op die besluite wat gemaak word deur verbruikers, met die oog daarop om bemarkingsmaatstawwe, asook die bestuur van 'n handelsmerk, meer effektief en doeltreffend te maak op 'n langtermyn basis. Hierdie gedragswetenskaplike benadering poog om 'n kwalitatiewe verklaring te gee vir die faktore wat handelsmerkekwiteit dryf en om 'n psigologiese struktuur te gee aan die impak wat 'n handelsmerk het via 'n operasionele maatstaf. Die onderliggende projek iIIustreer die mees aanvaarde waardasie-modelle, asook hulle onderskeie voordele en nadele en ondersoek die verskillende benaderings tot handelsmerkekwiteit. Metodes om handelsmerk-ekwiteit te vermeerder deur dit te benader aan die hand van Waarde-gebaseerde Handelsmerk Bestuur (Value Based Brand Management) gee insig ten opsigte van sy drywers en individuele handelsmerkprosesse. Hierdie benadering tot suksesvolle handelsmerkbestuur word ten slotte vergelyk met die huidige handelsmerkbestuur-prosesse wat deur die FMCG handelsmerk NIVEA gevolg word. Aanbevelings aangaande meer effektiewe bestuur van hierdie internasionale handelsmerk aan die hand van handelsmerk-ekwiteit, sluit hierdie projek af.

Assignment (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It has become evident that the knowledge-driven, innovation economy supercedes the industrial era at the beginning of the 21st century. Within this environment characterized by innovation and the emphasis on brand owning companies, successful organizations will be those that transform information into valuecreating knowledge and dynamically leverage the knowledge to innovate and capture additional customer value. In contrast to an emphasis on traditional tangible assets to explain organizational success, recent strategic management literature focuses on intangible resources, viz. intellectual capital. Knowledgeempowered customers are driving many innovations in this environment, and consequently, value innovation shifts relatively from the supply chain to the demand chain in business value systems, with focus on brand equity development. The encompassing challenge that companies face in this new environment is how to identify and leverage all sources of value. These important assets include, among other factors, brands and the knowledge residing within the consumers’ mind. Due to the significant shift towards knowledge-networking and outsourcing of many organizational activities, it is increasingly incumbent to incorporate and integrate knowledge residing outside the borders of an organization. However, the potential value of brand building efforts will not be realized unless proper knowledge management practices, systems, approaches and tools are put into place within the organization to capitalize on the concept of knowledge-enhanced brand equity. Accordingly, firms require a framework or model to illustrate the leveraging of knowledge for innovative brand development and management. This study provides an in-depth overview and synthesis of knowledge and brand management literature concerned with the symbiotic relationship between the utilization of knowledge and innovative brand development. A preliminary conceptual model to demonstrate the relationship between brand equity and knowledge-based is proposed. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die industriële era van die 20ste eeu is deur ‘n kennisgedrewe, innoverende ekonomie verbreed vanaf die begin van die 21ste eeu. Binne sodanige omgewing, wat gekenmerk word deur produk (waarde) innovasie en die opkoms van handelsmerk-gedrewe ondernemings, sal suksesvolle organisasies diegene wees wat inligting transformeer tot waardeskeppende kennis, en dié kennis as dinamiese hefboom gebruik om addisionele rykdom te skep en te behou. In teenstelling met die beklemtoning van tradisionele tasbare bates om organisasiesukses te verklaar, fokus onlangse strategiese bestuursliteratuur meer op ontasbare hulpbronne, naamlik kennis en intellektuele kapitaal. Ingeligde kliënte dryf innovasie en gevolglik skuif waarde innovasie relatief vanaf die aanbodsketting na die vraagketting in besigheidswaardesisteme, met die fokus op handelsmerksontwikkeling. Die uitdaging wat maatskappye in die gesig staar in hierdie nuwe omgewing is hoe om alle bronne van waarde te identifiseer en nie net die bates wat op die tradisionele balansstaat verskyn nie. Hierdie belangrike bates sluit onder andere in faktore soos handelsmerke en verbruikerspersepsies. Die organisasies wat suksesvol hierdie ontasbare bates skep en voorsien, en die hefboomwerking gebruik in die skepping van nuwe besigheidsmodelle, is dié organisasies wat die meeste waarde vir hulle aandeelhouers skep. Dit is toenemend noodsaaklik om kennis van buite die organisasie te inkorporeer en te integreer. Ondernemings benodig ‘n raamwerk of model om die voordelige gebruik van kennis vir innoverende handelmerkontwikkeling en –bestuur te fasiliteer. Hierdie studie voorsien ‘n in-diepte ontleding van kennisbestuurliteratuur en handelsmerkbestuurliteratuur, en dui veral op die verband en samehang tussen kennisbenutting en inoverende handelsmerkontwikkeling en –bestuur. ‘n Voorlopige konseptuele model om die verband tussen die handelsmerk- en kennisbestuur te illustreer, word voorgestel.

Thesis (MComm (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Marketing literature has revealed that sponsorship is a key marketing communication tool used to break through promotional clutter. Sponsorship is a means by which marketing managers are able to transfer knowledge about organisational offerings to consumers and communicate how organisations are able to satisfy consumers‟ needs. Satisfying consumers‟ needs is a key philosophy of marketing, thus, it is an important objective for marketing managers to transfer knowledge to consumers about their need-satisfying capabilities. Research has shown that knowledge is transferred to consumers by first creating awareness of brands, then building consumers‟ knowledge of brands, and finally establishing and enhancing consumers‟ perceptions of brand image. According to marketing literature, the process of building brand awareness, brand knowledge and brand image ultimately contributes toward the enhancement of brand equity. Previous research has shown that establishing brand awareness is an initial and crucial objective of sponsorship endeavours. Little research, however, has been done on the importance of brand image objectives and strategies in sponsorship. Researchers agree that brand image can be transferred between a sponsor brand and sponsored event, thereby enhancing the brand image of the respective parties. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess brand image transfer in sponsorship. The research problem considered the question whether the brand image of sponsor brands is transferred to the brand image of sponsored events, and whether the brand image of sponsored events is transferred to the brand image of sponsor brands. Fictitious brands were designed to assess the transfer of brand image, namely FruityBliss (sponsor brand) and the ProFriz Frisbee Challenge (sponsored event). Four brand image attributes were selected to assess the brand image of the sponsor brand and the brand image of the sponsored event. These included physical product and price (sponsor brand) and status and size (sponsored event). The four brand image attributes were manipulated in sixteen experiments and the brand image scores of the sponsor brand and sponsored event were subsequently measured. Results of the study showed that brand image scores of the sponsor brand were significantly higher than the brand image scores of the sponsored event. It was therefore concluded that brand image transfer does occur from a sponsor brand to a sponsored event and vice versa. Furthermore, product and price appeared to have a greater influence on the brand image scores of the sponsor brand and the sponsored event, than did status and size of the sponsored event. It was thus concluded that although brand image transfer does occur from a sponsor brand to a sponsored event and vice versa, the sponsor brand is influenced more by the sponsorship than the sponsored event. In other words, a stronger brand image transfer takes place from a sponsored event to a sponsor brand than from a sponsor brand to a sponsored event. From the research results, a number of recommendations were made. It was emphasised that organisations should make use of sponsorship as a means to break through promotional clutter. Sponsorship is an effective technique in enhancing brand images, and ultimately enhancing the brand equity of organisations. Organisations should therefore take careful consideration in developing sponsorship strategies; sponsor products should be affiliated with sponsored events and vice versa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bemarkingsliteratuur toon dat borgskap ‟n belangrike bemarkingskommunikasie-instrument is om te midde van ‟n warboel produkreklame ‟n impak te hê op die uitbou van handelsmerkbeeld. Borgskap is ‟n kommunikasiemetode waardeur bemarkingsbestuurders inligting oor bemarkingsaanbiedinge aan verbruikers oordra, oftewel aan verbruikers verduidelik hoe organisasies in hul behoeftes kan voorsien. Bevrediging van verbruikers se behoeftes is 'n belangrike filosofie van bemarking, dus, is dit 'n belangrike doelstelling vir bemarkingsbestuurders om kennis oor te dra aan verbruikers oor hulle behoefte-bevredigende vermoëns. Navorsing toon dat inligting eerstens aan verbruikers oorgedra word deur hulle bewus te maak van ‟n handelsmerk; daarná hul kennis van die handelsmerk op te bou, en uiteindelik hul opvattings van die beeld van daardie handelsmerk vas te lê en te verbeter. Volgens bemarkingsliteratuur dra die opbouproses van handelsmerkbewustheid, handelsmerkkennis en ‟n handelsmerkbeeld uiteindelik by tot die versterking van merkekwiteit. Vorige navorsing dui aan dat die vestiging van handelsmerkbewustheid ‟n aanvanklike en noodsaaklike doelwit van borgskap is. Tog is daar nog weinig navorsing gedoen oor die belang van handelsmerkbeelddoelwitte en –strategieë in borgskap. Navorsers is in eenstemming dat handelsmerkbeeld tussen ‟n borg en ‟n geleentheid oorgedra kan word, om só die handelsmerkbeeld van die onderskeie partye te versterk. Hierdie studie het ten doel gehad om sodanige handelsmerkbeeld-oordrag gedurende borgskap te beoordeel. Die navorsingsprobleem het besin oor die vraag of die handelsmerkbeeld van borghandelsmerke na die handelsmerkbeeld van geborgde geleenthede oorgedra word, asook of die handelsmerkbeeld van geborgde geleenthede na die handelsmerkbeeld van die borghandelsmerke oorgedra word. Fiktiewe handelsmerke, naamlik Fruitybliss (die borghandelsmerk) en die ProFriz Frisbee Challenge (die geborgde geleentheid), is ontwerp om handelsmerkbeeld-oordrag te bestudeer. Vier handelsmerkbeeld-eienskappe, naamlik fisiese produk en prys (borghandelsmerk) en status en grootte (geborgde geleentheid), is gekies om die handelsmerkbeeld van die borg en dié van die geleentheid te beoordeel. Die vier eienskappe is in sestien eksperimente gemanipuleer, waarna die handelsmerkbeeldtellings van die borghandelsmerk sowel as die geborgde geleentheid gemeet is. Die studieresultate toon dat die borghandelsmerk beduidend hoër handelsmerkbeeldtellings as die geborgde geleentheid behaal het. Daar was afgelei dat handelsmerkbeeld wél van ‟n borghandelsmerk na ‟n geborgde geleentheid oorgedra word, én omgekeerd. Voorts het produk en prys van die borghandelsmerk oënskynlik ‟n groter invloed op die handelsmerkbeeldtellings van die borghandelsmerk en die geborgde geleentheid gehad as die status en grootte van die geborgde geleentheid. Daaruit word afgelei dat, hoewel borgskap ‟n tweerigting-oordrag tussen borghandelsmerk en geborgde geleentheid impliseer, die borgskap tog ‟n groter invloed op die borghandelsmerk het as op die geborgde geleentheid. Handelsmerkbeeld-oordrag blyk dus om sterker te wees vanaf ‟n geborgde geleentheid na ‟n borghandelsmerk, as van ‟n borghandelsmerk na ‟n geborgde geleentheid. ‟n Aantal aanbevelings kan op grond van die studie gedoen word. Onder meer word beklemtoon dat organisasies borgskap moet aanwend om te midde van ‟n warboel produkreklame ‟n impak te hê op die uitbou van handelsmerkbeeld, om sodoende uiteindelik merkekwiteit te verbeter. Daarbenewens word voorgestel dat borgskap gebruik word om die handelsmerkbeeld van organisasies te bou en te versterk. Organisasies moet dus noukeurig oorweeg tydens die ontwikkeling van borgskap strategieë; borg produkte moet geaffilieer word met geborgde geleenthede én omgekeerd.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the past decade, through the study of business acquisitions and through empirical research it has become evident that brands are amongst the most important assets of a company. Brands are the core of the consumer-driven economy and companies' sustainable business future is dependent on the success of their brands. Brands enable companies to establish and differentiate their company and its products. Additionally, brands provide the base or launching pad for new products and new business ventures. Brand leverage strategies are described as strategies that use established brands to influence the perceptions of new products. These brand leverage strategies include line extensions, vertical extensions, brand extensions and co-branding. Co-branding as a brand leverage strategy is investigated in this study. This study investigates the perceptions of brand practitioners towards co-branding within the retail industry of South Africa and identifies key aspects of co-branding strategies. The key factors in co-branding strategies are: the perceived fit (compatibility) between the brands; the different fOiTIls of co-branding; the considerations when choosing a partner and the general reasons for pursuing a co-branding strategy. This empirical study examines these key factors and conclusions are drawn from the data obtained. Data for this study was gathered by means of a questionnaire which was sent to retail branding practitioners. Subsequent to analysing the data conclusions were drawn with regards to the appropriate co-branding factors. The research results indicate that branding practitioners believe that the fit between two brands is an important consideration when evaluating co-branding strategies. Results also indicated that the fit between brand images is deemed to be a more important consideration than the fit of operational aspects when brand managers consider a co-branding strategy. Sales improvement and reaching out to new segments of the market are deemed to be appropriate reasons why retail brand practitioners pursue co-branding strategies. In comparison with improvement of sales, the improvement of brand image is deemed to be a less important reason for pursuing a co-branding strategy. Results further conclude that joint marketing is the preferred co-branding Conn and that retail managers prefer co-branding with companies in the FMCG sector. Results also suggest that retail brand practitioners place the biggest emphasis on the possibility of sales improvement when evaluating potential co-branding partners. Co-branding is deemed to be a viable alternative brand leverage strategy for retail brand managers. This study highlights the different aspects and considerations that brand mangers take into account when evaluating a possible co-branding strategy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die afgelope dekade het die bestudering van besigheidswerwings (business acquisitions) en empiriese navorsing daarop gedui dat handelsmerke een van die belangrikste bates van ondememings is. Handelsmerke is die kern van die verbruiker gedrewe ekonomie en die volhoubare besigheids toekoms van maatskappye is afhanklik van die sukses van hierdie handelsmerke. Handelsmerke stel ondememings in staat om huI besigheid en hul produkte te vestig en te differensieer. Handelmerke dien ook as 'n basis vir die ontwikkeling van nuwe produkte en nuwe besigheidsgeleenthede. Handelsmerk hefboom (brand leverage) strategiee word beskryf as strategiee wat gevestigde handelmerke gebruik om die persepsies oor nuwe produkte te beinvloed. Hierdie handelsmerk hefboom (brand leverage) strategiee sluit lyn-uitbreiding, vertikale uitbreiding, handelsmerk uitbreiding en medehandelsmerking (co-branding) in. Hierdie studie ondersoek mede-handelsmerking as 'n handelsmerk hefboom strategie. Hierdie studie ondersoek die persepsies van handelsmerkingpraktisyns binne die Suid Afrikaanse kleinhandel industrie. Die persepsies van handelsmerkingpraktisyns teenoor mede-handelsmerking word ondersoek om die kern aspekte van medehandelsmerking strategiee te identifiseer. Die kern aspekte van mede-handelsmerking strategiee (co-branding strategies) is die waarneembare passing (fit) tussen handelsmerke, die verskillende medehandelsmerkingvorms, die oorwegende faktore tydens die keuse van 'n medehandelsmerksvennoot en die algemene redes vir die nastrewing van 'n medehandelsmerking strategie. Data vir hierdie navorsing is ingesamel deur middel van 'n vraelys wat aan kleinhandel handelsmerkpraktisyns (brand practitioners) gestuur is. Na die analise van die data is bepaalde gevolgtrekkings oor die toepaslike mede-handelsmerkfaktore gemaak. Die navorsings-resultate dui aan dat handelsmerkpraktisyns glo dat die passing (fit) tussen twee handeIsmerke 'n belangrike oorweging is wanneer mede-handelsmerking strategiee oorweeg word. Resultate dui ook aan dat die passing (fit) van die handelmerk beelde 'n belangriker oorweging is as die passing van operasionele aspekte. Verbetering in verkope en die uitreik na nuwe segmente in die mark word beskou as die geskikte redes waarom handelsmerkpraktisyns mede-handelsmerking strategiee volg. Wanneer mede-handelsmerking strategiee gevolg word, word die verbetering in verkope as 'n belangriker rede as die verbetering van die handelmerk beeld beskou. Resultate wys ook dat gesamentIike bemarking (joint marketing) die voorkeur medehandeismerkingvorm is. Die studie kom ook tot die gevolgtrekking dat maatskappye in die VBVG (Vinnig bewegende verbruikers goedere) sektor die voorkeur sektor is waarmee kleinhandelaars wil saamwerk. Resultate dui ook aan dat kleinhandel handelsmerkpraktisyns (brand practitioners) die grootste klem plaas op die moontlikheid van verkope toename wanneer potensieIe medehandelsmerkingsvennote oorweeg word. Mede-handelsmerking word beskou as 'n lewensvatbare altematiewe handelsmerk hefboom strategie (brand leverage strategy) vir kleinhandel handelsmerk bestuurders Hiedie studie bring na vore die verskillende aspekte en oorwegings wat handelsmerk bestuurders in ag neem wanneer moontlike mede-handelsmerking strategiee ontleed word.

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, 2011. / Since the first democratic election in South Africa in 1994, considerable investment has gone into South Africa’s brand. However, this researcher could find no literature on the description of South Africa’s brand personality as perceived by visitors. The purpose of this study is to provide insight into South Africa’s brand personality and encourage researchers to undertake a more in depth study of South Africa’s brand personality. It ultimately aims to assist marketers in differentiating South Africa’s brand and making it more competitive on the world stage. This report also seeks to encourage research in the field of customer service personality frameworks for destinations, based on destination brand personality. The design of this report is qualitative and exploratory. Participants of this study included a group of 15 arbitrarily selected visitors at the International Departure Terminal of Cape Town International Airport. A semi-structured interview was the method used to collect the data. A qualitative analysis included categorising the data according to similar adjectives and descriptions and then determining where best it fits (if at all) with Aaker’s (1997:354) brand personality dimensions. The findings of the research reveal that South Africa’s brand personality can be described in terms of Aaker’s (1997:354) brand personality scale. However, a relatively large number of participants described the personality as immature, contradictory and damaged. The researcher also discovered that there is a weak relationship between the brand personality and the core values of South Africa’s brand as identified by Brand South Africa (Shepherd, 2010a).This led the researcher to conclude that there are deficiencies in South Africa’s brand personality and it is not robust enough to be a sustainable competitive advantage in its current state. This researcher concluded that South Africa’s brand personality has a perceived weakness of inconsistency, is in a developing phase and the perceived personality is not an effective medium through which the country’s core values are being communicated. This research was limited by the relatively low number of participants, the collection of data in one location only and the absence of triangulation. This impacts negatively on the robustness of this research. The data collection also lacked representation across nationalities that would have provided an opportunity to make comparisons of the same. This report is not generalisable and the isolated nature of the research implies that the personality identified cannot be compared with other destination brand personalities to determine its relative strength or weakness. The practical implication of this research is that in identifying visitors’ perceptions of South Africa’s brand personality, marketers can use this information to mitigate the negative perceptions that manifest in the personality and emphasise the positive. The identification of the ‘developing’ nature of South Africa’s brand personality points to an opportunity to shape the brand according to Brand South Africa’s strategic objectives. The finding that traits associated with some of the core values like Ubuntu, Competitiveness and Determination are absent from the personality provides valuable insight into the gap between how the brand is positioned and the perceptions of visitors. The finding of the stereotypical perceptions of African and Western manifesting in the brand personality can be used as valuable insight in a nation branding initiative that aims to change these perceptions. Finally, the brand personality can form the basis of a customer service personality that is unique to South Africa.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / The high costs of new product launches have forced consumer magazines globally to launch brand extensions as part of new product strategies. Costs can be reduced radically by using renowned brands and utilising their marketing and distribution competencies. The economic recession and a rapid leaning towards non-print media have caused a sharp drop in advertising as well as consumer spending in the print magazine industry. Nevertheless, tablet devices and ground-breaking technology offers opportunities for traditional media to grow. The product life cycle and the growth-share matrix for a mature brand such as Huisgenoot validate the necessity of new products and brand extensions to remain sustainable. Huisgenoot is the largest magazine in South Africa with a circulation of 281 045, reaching 2.2 million (AMPS 2012, Jul 2011 – Jun 2012) readers on a weekly basis. Publishers felt it necessary to develop a brand extension strategy to leverage the brand even further and to avoid stagnation of the title. However, although profiting from parent brand value sounds promising, the global failure rate of extensions is still great. Extending existing brands and launching new products is crucial to increase profits. Brand extensions address neglected consumer needs and simultaneously confront competition in the market. However, launching new products is costly, risky and time consuming. In 2010, Media24 decided to leverage content, one of its most valuable assets, by introducing additional standalone magazines (line extensions) for one of its strongest brands, Huisgenoot. Are magazines exploiting niche markets catering for the changing needs of the South African consumer and advertiser? What is the impact of Huisgenoot’s standalone titles on the business of Media24 Weekly Magazines in an already competitive consumer magazine market? This research report explores specifically Huisgenoot’s line extensions in order to evaluate if an extension strategy has long-term sustainability for the title or if it is inducing a cannibalisation effect on the core magazine brand. Growth of the extensions will be measured by analysing profit, circulation and point of sale data. A critical analysis of the current extension strategy will also be completed. The report also includes an overview of the South African media landscape, identifies the core brand (parent brand) values of Huisgenoot and includes interviews with important role-players within the publishing business. This was done by conducting a literature overview, completing a reader questionnaire and doing in-depth interviews. The qualitative data was supported by secondary circulation and advertising data. The researcher concludes by making recommendations to ensure sustainability in terms of Huisgenoot’s future line extensions.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aimed to answer the question whether a change of trade name would affect the brand distinctiveness of MC Design & Contracting. MC Design & Contracting is a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The business falls within a segment of the manufacturing sector known as the engineering sector. The business manufactures and installs engineered production facilities and components to industrial markets. As MC Design & Contracting is based in the Eastern Cape where the majority of South African automotive manufacturers are situated, it has a strong reliance on the automotive industry. In an attempt to break this single industry reliance, MC Design & Contracting management has deployed customer diversification strategies. The brand MC Design & Contracting is unique and the business therefore has achieved brand distinctiveness within its industry sector. The customer differentiation strategy requires marketing and sales personnel to target new customers that are not familiar with the business. As a promotional aspect of business-to-business marketing, the element of personal selling plays an important role. The salesforce and marketing personnel felt that the trade name of the business, MC Design & Contracting, was no longer aligned with its customer value proposition. They considered the trade name to be a distraction to the selling and promotions process. In order to assess the impact of a trade name change, MC Design & Contracting’s board requested an independent study dealing with the matter. This study set out to establish the various elements relating to the design of a trade name, including the procedural and legal requirements within a South African context. The ultimate goal of branding is for a business to achieve a degree of ‘uniqueness’ over its competitors. Referred to as ‘brand distinctiveness’, this study explored how trade names relate to brand distinctiveness. The study utilised a qualitative research methodology in the form of semi-structured interviews to gather data from internal and external stakeholders of MC Design & Contracting. The study found that MC Design & Contracting has a distinctive brand, but its trade name is no longer relevant. Furthermore, the study suggests that a change of trade name would affect both brand recognition and brand distinctiveness. The study concludes with recommendations to MC Design & Contracting’s board of directors. The recommendations revolve around the process of selecting an effective trade name that contains an element of distinctiveness. It also deals with the element of brand protection by suggesting the registration of a trademark.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration