Communication Tools to Protect Brand Reputation

The article actualizes the problem of developing a strategy and tactics for protecting a brand’s reputation in a crisis situation. The key elements of a crisis communication plan are described, tools are analyzed that help to reduce the reputational costs of an organization in a crisis. The virtualization of communications and the expansion of network interactions necessitate the use of the potential of modern media for wider coverage of target audiences in order to strengthen brand reputation. It is shown that the effective management of information flows, the use of PR technologies in new media along with traditional methods of organizing crisis communications in new media makes it possible to reduce reputational risks to a minimum. Implementation of the policy of active Internet presence through the organization and management of network communications forms another basis for successfully overcoming crisis phenomena, correcting reputation, increasing awareness, and ensuring a more stable brand position.

Can You See How it Smells? What Eye Tracking Can Tell us about the Shelf Management of Luxury Perfumes

The purpose of this paper is to advance the theory and contribute to the practice of luxury perfumes’ shelf management by decoding the relationship between attention on the shelf, purchase decision-making, and brand recall. It employs an eye-tracking experiment to analyze attention spans and fixations, which is combined with a questionnaire to uncover recall and purchase intent. The research identifies attention patterns and the influence of attention on recall and purchase intention. It further reveals the main factors that influence attention on the shelf in the luxury perfume industry. This is a milestone for further elaboration on the benefits of the fashion mainstream for luxury perfumes and the debate regarding whether luxury perfumes should be treated similar to mainstream fashion or similar to any other product in basic shelf management rules. This study enables shelf managers and marketers to place the perfumes both on the shelf and in consumer minds to maintain a top-of-the-mind brand position. Managerial implications are significant and address perfume industry packaging as well as shelf positioning.

Proximity, Familiarity or Congruency? What Influences Memory of Brand Placement in Videogames

Brand placement in videogames consists in integrating various brands that are not intrusive to give a feeling of reality to the context, as such increasing awareness and recognition of the brand in the mind of the consumer. The goal of this study is to ascertain if brand position, familiarity and congruency influence memorization of brands presented in a racing videogame. An experimental design 2 (position: prominent or subtle) × 2 (congruency: yes or no) × 2 (familiar: yes or no) was used in a sample of 117 participants (M = 20.91 years, SD = 1.75 years). Consumers have better recall and recognition of brand placement when it is familiar. Likewise, there is more memorization of placement that is congruent with the videogame’s subject matter. Nevertheless, it appears that position has no influence on memory. Regarding the three-way interaction, it turns out that the best way to remember brands is when they are familiar to the consumers, congruent with the videogame’s genre, and they are positioned in a prominent position. This article is the first to investigate the interaction between the three main variables that affect the memorization of brand placement.

CONSUMER PREFERENCES AS A BASIS FOR CREATING A BRAND POSITION FOR WINE PRODUCTS

The relevance of the article lies in focusing on the positioning factors when creating an attractive wine brand for the target audience. In other words, the creation of a more advantageous brand position of a product and / or product line in comparison with competitors’ products based on research on consumer preferences, perceptions and cultural and behavioral characteristics. To achieve the goal of the article, the genesis of the terms was revealed — brand, branding and positioning; the concept of «brand position» was proposed for use in marketing of consumer goods, the needs for wine-making products at all levels of the pyramid of A. Maslou are considered; a marketing research of consumer preferences of the target audience was carried out. The study revealed that in the global competitive market for mass production, communications and distribution, the brand of a product becomes a powerful tool that creates additional value and stability for products and firms.

Factors Influencing Tourism Marketing Strategies in Jordanian Five Stars Hotels

The current study aimed at examining the influence of tourism marketing strategies within the Jordanian 5 stars hotels. The researcher has chosen the self-administered questionnaire to form the tool of the study on a sample of the marketing and promotion managers from the 5 stars hotel in the capital of Jordan- Amman. The total number of the hotels which took part in the study was (27) 5 stars hotel located in Jordan. The results of the study indicated that political, social and economic stability in addition to the systematic promotion of cultural events appeared to be the most influential factors on the tourism marketing strategies within the studied hotels. The least influential factors appeared to be brand position, the service quality and the facilities. This was attributed to the current status of the Middle Eastern countries and the fact that the political stability is what drives tourists to the destination. The study recommends the ability of the government to deal with political and economic challenges such as poverty and unemployment impinges on the trust of potential tourist.

Development and testing of three unique scales measuring the brand image of nursing

Purpose Nurses have been called to be leaders in the transformation of health care and to help improve health-care access for the nation’s most vulnerable populations. However, to lead health-care transformation, the profession of nurses must first see themselves as leaders. Unfortunately, nursing has been described as lacking cohesiveness and failing to communicate a consistent brand image. No empirically tested quantitative tools exist to measure the brand identity of nursing, making it difficult to assess where the profession stands in regard to the mantel of leadership. The purpose of this study was to develop empirically sound instruments which could measure nurses’ perceptions of their professional brand image. A total of three scales were developed and then tested: The Nursing Brand Image Scale, Nursing’s Current Brand Position Scale and Nursing’s Desired Brand Position Scale. Design/methodology/approach The factor structure and internal consistency reliability of each scale were examined following survey administration to a national sample of registered nurses. Principal component analyses were used to explore the factor structure of each scale. Item reduction was achieved through examination of the loading of items across the factors and the impact of the item on internal consistency reliability. Findings Respondents to the survey were nursing alumni who received a baccalaureate or master’s degree in nursing at a private, mid-western university, and nursing faculty affiliated with a private, collegiate network (n = 286). For all scales, principal component analysis showed no inter-item correlations >0.9 or <0.1. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure for sampling adequacy was high and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p < 0001). The internal consistency reliability of each of the three scales was good to excellent. Current brand position mean scores were highest for the factor “caring advocates for patients/public”, and lowest on “influential leaders”. The most desired brand position mean scores were highest and rated similarly for factors “influential leaders” and “patient-centered caregivers”. Originality/value This study provides strong preliminary evidence for the factor structure and internal consistency reliability for each of the three scales and represents an important first step toward quantitatively measuring the brand image of nursing. However, results suggest there is work to be done if nursing is to formulate and adopt a brand image that consistently reinforces their role as leaders. Further testing of the scales with other nursing populations, the general public and with larger sample sizes is recommended.

Competitive Positioning of a Higher Education Institution in Zambia: The Case of ZCAS

This study was the second phase of a larger research project that was designed to identify and measure a higher education institution’s brand in Zambia in order to ascertain areas for strengthening the brand’s competitive position. The objectives of this conjoint study were twofold: firstly, to identify the current position of the ZCAS brand as a case study and secondly, to establish the current position of the ZCAS brand relative to its higher education (HE) competitors in Zambia. This quantitative study involved administering a conjoint questionnaire to 110 first year students in ZCAS and 280 first year students in seven universities in the country. The 19 branding elements identified in the initial qualitative stage of the project were aggregated into five principal branding factors using Atlas.ti’s co-occurrence tools to facilitate this conjoint study. These five principal branding attributes are teaching quality, fees, course availability, learning environment and employability. The study revealed that ZCAS has a fairly strong brand position in the Zambian HE sector because the most important elements in its brand model, i.e. course availability, teaching quality and facilities are also the premier brand dimensions in the market. The study also revealed that ZCAS needs to reposition itself away from the competition in order to occupy a more favorable position in the minds of its prospective and existing customers. Accordingly, the study recommends that ZCAS increases its course offerings and collaborates with universities in the region. ZCAS should also consider setting up a quality assurance unit to foster quality in the institution. This study adds to the increasing body of knowledge on HE branding, particularly in developing countries, by developing and then testing a brand orientation model for the Zambian HE market.

The effect of female celebrity spokesperson in FMCG advertising: neuromarketing approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop guidelines for the selection of a female advertising spokesperson and brand position regarding the selected spokesperson in the context of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) advertising. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents findings using both neuromarketing and traditional marketing research methods. Findings The findings are based on the results of P300 event-related brain potentials, eye-tracking experiments and a questionnaire research. It was concluded that a famous female spokesperson indeed has a significant effect on FMCG advertising effectiveness. Practical implications The selection of a female celebrity spokesperson when seeking FMCG advertising effectiveness depends on the primary determined aim of marketing communication. If the aim of the advertising campaign is to form attitude, then selecting a celebrity as the FMCG advertising spokesperson is recommended, but if the aim of the FMCG advertising campaign is to enhance brand awareness, it is recommended to select a non-celebrity spokesperson. Furthermore, the brand should be presented at the top of the advertisement’s layout, particularly when a celebrity is chosen as a spokesperson because this allows lowering the possibility of the “vampire effect” occurrence. Originality/value As a study on the effect of a female spokesperson on FMCG advertising effectiveness, this research will be of academic interest, integrating both marketing theory and neuroscience to analyze and evaluate consumer behavior. This research is also relevant to businesses, because it provides guidelines for the selection of female advertising spokespersons in the context of FMCG advertising.