scholarly journals Brand Extensions: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of 20 Years Of Marketing Research

Author(s):  
Elise Prosser ◽  
Melissa St. James

Brand extensions, or new product introductions under an existing brand name, have become increasingly popular over the past 20 years. Marketers tout brand extensions as enjoying higher market share and profitability than launching new brand names that require exorbitant advertising expenditures (Smith & Park 1992). According to some estimates, brand extensions account for more than 90% of new product introductions in some categories (Volckner & Sattler 2002). However, one study found that 27% of line extensions failed (Reddy, et al 1994). Furthermore, excessively stretching the brand to various products may risk brand dilution. A brand extension failure is seen as harming the parent brand. The authors provide a qualitative meta-analysis that summarizes sixty-three articles comprising the brand extension research over the past twenty years (1981-2000). They suggest three propositions that represent three major conclusions reached by the studies and present evidence of support for each.

2003 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subramanian Balachander ◽  
Sanjoy Ghose

A commonly advanced rationale for the proliferation of brand extensions is companies’ motivation to leverage the equity in established brands, thereby developing profitable products relatively easily. A more interesting strategic argument for brand extensions that has been advanced is that extensions would favorably affect the image of the parent brand and thereby influence its choice. In this research, the authors investigate the existence of such reciprocal spillover effects emanating from the advertising of a brand extension. The authors use scanner panel data and study spillover effects of advertising on brand choice. They develop implications for brand and product line management.


Author(s):  
Zain-Ul Abideen ◽  
Abdul Latif

<span>This study examines consumer attitude and empirically test the factors that differentiate between successful and unsuccessful brand extensions, on the basis of parent brand attributes and characteristics, in reference to variables such as brand similarity, brand reputation, multiple brand extension, parent brand characteristics and brand concept consistency using actual extensions of two brands i.e. Olpers Cream (extension of Olpers Milk) and Lipton tea bag (extension of Lipton tea). A sample of 430 consumers of Bahawalpur District (Pakistan) was selected for the survey. Stratified proportionate sampling (in proportion to the population of each Union Council) was used for drawing these samples. The study suggests a more prominent role of parent brand attributes and characteristics than brand extension that had been acknowledged in the literature. Further, the study documents the importance of an extensions fit with the parent brands image while at the same time suggesting that similarity between the brand extension and its core brand has positive effect on extension evaluation. It also shows that as perceived appropriateness between the extension and the core brand decreases, attitude toward the core brand on brand-extension evaluation decreases.</span>


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1681-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhuti Tripathi ◽  
Pooja Rastogi ◽  
Suresh Kumar

The shifting market dynamics and harsh rivalry of the worldwide economy have augmented the role of brands to an incomparable level. Brand extension has emerged as a popular strategy in the marketing area. While it brings brands closer to success, it is also imperative and important to understand how consumers evaluate and presume similar or dissimilar extensions and what is the substantial influence of risk and subsistence of parent brand on extension success? Identifying and analysing such relationships could be helpful and important for personal care brands in India to gain an edge over competitors. Data were collected from 500 consumers who were proverbial with the brand extensions of Dettol in similar or dissimilar product categories. Regression analysis showed that though perceived fit and risk directly influence the success of brand extension, nevertheless on incorporating parent brand conviction as a moderator the relationships between perceived fit and brand extension success and risk and brand extension success are strengthened. Limitations and future scope have also been mentioned.


1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C. Smith ◽  
C. Whan Park

The authors examine the effects of brand strategy (i.e., brand extensions vs. individual brands) on new product market share and advertising efficiency, and the degree to which these effects are moderated by characteristics of the brand, the product to which it is extended, and the market in which that product competes. The findings indicate that brand extensions capture greater market share and realize greater advertising efficiency than individual brands. The strength of the parent brand is related positively to the market share of brand extensions but has no effect on advertising efficiency. Neither the market share nor the advertising efficiency of extensions is affected by the number of products affiliated with the parent brand. The relative effect of brand extensions on market share is not moderated by the degree of similarity between the extension and other products affiliated with the brand. Advertising efficiency effects, however, are elevated when similarity is high, but only when it is based on intrinsic attributes. Market share and advertising efficiency effects are elevated when the extension is composed primarily of experience attributes and competes in markets where consumers have limited knowledge of the product class. Competitive intensity does not moderate advertising efficiency effects; however, market share effects are elevated when the extension competes in markets comprising few competitors. Finally, both market share and efficiency effects diminish as the extension becomes established in the market.


1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Whan Park ◽  
Sung Youl Jun ◽  
Allan D. Shocker

The authors report two studies investigating the effectiveness of a composite brand in a brand extension context. In composite brand extension, a combination of two existing brand names in different positions as header and modifier is used as the brand name for a new product (e.g., Slim-Fast chocolate cakemix by Godiva). The results of both studies reveal that by combining two brands with complementary attribute levels, a composite brand extension appears to have a better attribute profile than a direct extension of the header brand (Study 1) and has a better attribute profile when it consists of two complementary brands than when it consists of two highly favorable but not complementary brands (Study 2). The improved attribute profile seems to enhance a composite's effectiveness in influencing consumer choice and preference (Study 2). In addition, the positions of the constituent brand names in the composite brand name are found to be important in the formation of the composite's attribute profile and its feedback effects on the constituent brands. A composite brand extension has different attribute profiles and feedback effects, depending on the positions of the constituent brand names.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durdana Ozretic-Dosen ◽  
Marta Brlic ◽  
Tanja Komarac

The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ perceptions of the parent brand and their attitudes towards the brand extensions by exploratory researching the topic in the new context of one emerging European market. Theoretical part gives a comprehensive description and analysis of the main features of the brand extension strategy. The purpose of the primary research is to explore and understand Croatian consumers’ perceptions about the global parent brand (Coca-Cola) and their attitudes towards its extensions on the Croatian market. Research results support the assumption that managers should introduce brand extension when they are sure of the position of the parent brand and its former extensions in the consumers’ mind. As such, results corroborate previous findings, showing how it is necessary to know the existing level of brand affect, brand loyalty, and brand trust since they have different impacts on consumers’ perceptions of the brand extension. The main contribution of the paper stems from the replication and extension of the previous research in the new context (in terms of the level of the market development and consumer culture). Research findings add to the existing knowledge with insights and results from the new market (Croatia), and as such might help in increasing understanding of the brand extension phenomena in the field of the strategic brand management in emerging markets.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marie Schons ◽  
Philipp Thöne

Current research suggests that social identification processes play an important role in markets. In this study, the authors propose that marketing research has neglected one important factor, which influences the success of a brand extension, namely the group processes between social groups and brand communities framing the new product introduction. Based on social identification theory, the authors derive a framework integrating identification and stereotyping processes, simultaneously testing for drivers of brand extension potential, which have been found to be important in past empirical studies. Using a structural equation modeling approach, the authors test for in-group and out-group effects in two hypothetical brand extension scenarios of one snowboard brand (Burton), and a surf brand (Billabong) into the ski market. They find that the social identification processes underlying the new product introduction significantly drive the potential success of the brand extension. By being the first study to explore the role of identification and stereotype effects in brand extension, the authors make an important contribution to research in this area. Moreover, our study provides important implications for brand managers planning to extend their brands into new product categories.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 476-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irem Eren-Erdogmus ◽  
Ilker Akgun ◽  
Esin Arda

PurposeIn recent years, brand extension has become a popular and fundamental strategy of most luxury brands. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the factors that affect the success of luxury brand extensions by incorporating luxury brand value perceptions, parent brand attitude, fit perceptions and consumers’ product category involvement and innovativeness in a holistic model. The model is tested for two hypothetical luxury brand extensions types: complement and transfer.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) technique to identify the variables that combine to produce a positive or a negative attitude towards luxury brand extensions. The research was conducted on 555 young women professionals (254 for brand extension Type 1 – complement (umbrella); and 301 for brand extension type – transfer (seating furniture), respectively).FindingsThe results show that perceived fit between the parent brand and extension is a necessary condition for a positive evaluation of both extension types. Other than perceived fit, hedonic and symbolic values and consumer involvement are proven to be necessary antecedent conditions for the evaluation of transfer extensions. This study also proposes several configurations for forming a positive attitude towards each brand extension type and makes implications for luxury managers and further research.Originality/valueThe results of the research are significant in several ways. First, this study adds to the extant literature by exploring a somehow neglected subject: luxury fashion brand extensions. The study tests a more holistic model than those of previous studies on luxury brand extensions and utilises two different extension contexts adapted from Aaker and Keller (1990). Second, this study is the first to apply fsQCA to identify the factors of luxury brand extension evaluations. fsQCA is highly applicable to large-scale data without the loss of detail or the potential for complexity.


2022 ◽  
pp. 002224292210768
Author(s):  
Pragya Mathur ◽  
Malika Malika ◽  
Nidhi Agrawal ◽  
Durairaj Maheswaran

Low fit brand extensions, while often presenting profitable opportunities for existing brands, are known to meet with varying levels of consumer acceptance. This research identifies conditions under which low fit extensions can succeed. Specifically, the authors show that the extent to which consumers consider the context in forming judgments (i.e., are context dependent) determines the acceptance of low fit extensions. In four studies, the authors examine the combined effects of context (in)dependence and type of information, and show that context dependent individuals form their evaluations on the basis of the type of brand extension information provided. For context dependent individuals, providing benefit-based information enhances the evaluations of low fit extensions, whereas providing attribute-based information leads to a reliance on extension fit and subsequent unfavorable evaluation of low fit extensions. In contrast, context independent individuals are more likely to base their judgments on extension fit regardless of whether attribute- or benefit-based information is provided. The acceptance of high fit extension is unaffected by context (in)dependence and type of information. Our findings provide a two-step strategy (i.e., sensitizing consumers to context and providing them benefit-based extension information) for managers to successfully launch low fit extensions and leverage existing parent brand equity.


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