Strong Branding Stands the Test of Time

A strong brand should never become obsolete. Branding and marketing require a thought out process that allows for accountability and excellence to drive the brand forward. Before discussing the power of a well-developed brand, it is important to define what is not a brand. An established brand is not a fad or a trend but rather remains timeless and relevant. In recent years, the ‘live strong’ yellow bracelets worn by cyclist Lance Armstrong have become quite popular.

The bracelets original goal was to raise awareness and support cancer research. The bracelets became more of a fad than a brand, as once the ‘newness’ fell away, the public was off to the next market trend. Brand power is ultimately about longevity, as brand power develops the market around them, growing with the clientele. The bracelet example illustrates the importance of marketing and shows how a popular trend does not necessarily lead to a developed brand. A strong brand requires a commitment to quality, market momentum and industry leverage. With these three things in place, a product or organization can work towards moving past the trend stage and into a well-developed brand.

Developing a strong brand is not an easy task, but it must be planned, strategized and effectively orchestrated. A healthy brand builds deep relationships with its consumers and has its hand on the pulse of the market’s needs and wants. With longevity comes the ability to set products and ideas not around what the consumer wants today but rather match what they wanted yesterday with what they will want tomorrow.

In saying that no brand can last forever, critics negate many past examples of brands that have stood the test of time and offered, like Coca-Cola and Tide Detergent. These brands have continually adapted to market conditions without compromises the core values and objectives that have remained strong since their inception. Ultimately, for a brand to remain relevant across generations means that a comprehensive team committed to excellence has worked with a superior product or service over time.

Brands that fail to remain competitive either lack one of the three key elements discussed or are simply a fading trend. Brands that succeed have found a way to make it work. Whether it is giving a choice to customers like Burger King or just creating a popular and desirable product like Coca-Cola, successful brands stand the test of time because they demonstrate the ability to set them apart and do what it takes to succeed.