While there is broad agreement on the importance of an identity-oriented brand understanding and management, there is a high degree of disagreement as regards the definition of the brand identity construct. In the scientific discussion, a definition seems to prevail, in which the brand image that exists among the customers is contrasted with the brand identity which is either only associated with the within the brand company existing picture of the brand (self-image) or at least additionally with the brand’s meaning and goal. Falling back on very different research traditions in the field of the development of an identity theory, it is shown that the construct of brand identity should be understood in a much more comprehensive sense in order to fully unleash its heuristic power. In addition, it seems imperative to take into account that strong brands can become a kind of "personality sui generis", the further development of which cannot only be determined by the company which once brought the brand onto the market. The specific brand identity is much more subject to many social influences involving a huge variety of social actors. Against this background the idea of brand management needs reform, and should be re-conceptualized more in the sense of an attempt to channel all relevant social influences in a targeted manner. In this contribution, a corresponding approach of identity-oriented brand management is presented and illustrated by examples from the fashion sector. This is mainly due to the fact that the identity development of fashion marks depends to a great extent on numerous social influences and influencers.

With the increased importance of design creativity in global fashion marketplaces, there have arisen numerous promotional strategies for new fashion designers in Korea, yet little research has been done on this subject. This study examines the new fashion design promotion policies in Korea and their effects from the designer's perspective. First, we analyzed the contents of twenty-one strategies from thirteen organizations regarding the types of support from the strategies. As a result, four distinct types are identified: new designer recognition; information and consulting support; brand incubating; and marketing support. Next, we performed in-depth one-on-one interviews with eleven designers who had been awarded from one or more of the fashion design incubation policies. The results reveal that the incubating policies' cash rewards and space support are found to be most effective. In terms of the revised fashion and brand consulting policy, “brand operation” had an influence. In addition, fashion the new brand advertisement and marketing policy had positively influenced the “brand development.” However, throughout the interview, designers note that the quality of education and information provisions need some improvement. Furthermore, the designers indicate the lack of supervision and professionalism from the marketing departments. Based on this content, this study emphasizes the necessity of an effective fashion design promotion policy, and strategic and consistent support for the whole fashion promotion team. At the minimum, an integrated and united supervision by the organization is necessary and should be taken into consideration.

The emergence of the video blog (vlog) and the success of so-called “YouTube celebrities” have provided luxury brands with a new marketing tool to connect with consumers. In particular, the video-sharing site YouTube, allows anyone from an amateur to a professional the opportunity to create and upload a video, which can possibly be shared by hundreds of millions of viewers instantaneously and inexpensively (Freeman & Chapman, 2007). The present study examines how video blog (vlog) influences luxury brand perceptions based on parasocial interaction (PSI) framework. PSI has been studied extensively in communication research and provides a foundational understanding for the one-way relationship experienced between a media personality and media users. PSI is often referred to as a “friendship” with a media personality (Perse & Rubin, 1989; Rubin et al., 2003; Eyal & Rubin, 2003) and media users often seek advice from media personalities as if they were friends (Rubin et al., 1985). In addition, social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954) is used to explain the effect of PSI on customers’ luxury brand perceptions. According to the social comparison theory, individuals evaluate themselves by comparing what they possess and consume to that of others. Since individuals are likely to compare themselves with significant others and peers who share a similar outlook and common values, they would compare their luxury possessions and consumption to that of vloggers as PSI increases. Therefore, this study proposes influences of physical attractiveness, social attractiveness and attitude homophily of video blogger (vlogger) on PSI; and PSI effects on luxury brand perceptions (i.e., brand luxury, luxury brand value, and brand-user-imagery fit) followed by luxury brand purchase intentions. Study 1 tested the hypothesized model using structural equation modeling, and the results support the proposed model. Additionally, Study 2 investigated vlog effects on luxury brand perceptions and purchase intentions using ANOVA. The result showed luxury brand perceptions and purchase intentions for the experimental groups, who watched vlogs about review of luxury products, were higher than control group, who did not watch vlog. Overall, results of this study found general support for PSI as a brand management tool as well as the use of social media to lead to positive luxury brand perceptions.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of perceived sustainability management fit of SPA brands on consumer purchase intention. A survey was conducted targeting women in their 20s and 30s from April 27th to May 6th 2013, and a total of 350 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis, factor analysis, ANOVA, simple regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were carried out using SPSS ver 21.0. The results of this study are as follows. First, fit of all three areas- economic, ecological and socialof sustainability management activities have a significant impact on consumer perception on sustainability activities. Second, perceived sustainability activities by SPA brands are found to have a positive effect on brand attitude, brand trust and consumer satisfaction. Third, brand attitude and consumer satisfaction forged by perceived sustainability activities by SPA brands have a positive impact on consumers' purchase intention. Based on the result of this study, the following marketing implications can be suggested. First, SPA brands need to be more active in all three area of sustainability activities while coming up with measures for differentiated social sustainability activities. Second, SPA brands need to meet their primary obligation by providing consumers with quality products at a reasonable price. Third, SPA brands need to recognize the potential value of sustainability activities as a driver of a longstanding relationship with consumers as well as long-term profit and value creation, leading to a great financial performance.

Small- and medium-sized industrial companies in Germany and Russia mostly attach little importance to brand management and practice it only fragmentarily. Against this background, the relevance of brand management for these firms in B2B-markets is demonstrated. Beginning with a look at the importance of B2B brands for corporate success, relevant starting points for a successful brand management in B2B settings are shown, as far as these are supported by empirical research. The findings indicate the importance of internal as well as external dimensions of B2B brand management.

The interaction between brand managers and his/her social networks in any firms constitute a complex social system. This study posited that the quality of the relationship between a brand manager and his/her networks is imperative in fostering the quality of internal brand management which in turns increase the employee based brand equity. The participants for the study were 124 brand managers from Dubai firms specializing in consumer goods. The quantitative data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Network size and cost was found to affect information generation and knowledge dissemination.

IT 산업의 발달로 인한 제조업 중심에서 서비스업 중심으로의 시대적 변화는 우리의 삶의 방식을 변화시키고 있다. 수많은 소셜네트워크서비스를 통하여 수많은 정보를 공유하고 있으며 브랜드경험에 대한 정보도 얻을 수 있다. 환경을 생각하는 윤리적 기업으로 잘 알려져 있는 프라이탁은 업사이클링 제품을 만드는 기업으로써 소비자들은 프라이탁의 제품을 구매하는 것이 아니라 윤리를 소비한다. 프라이탁은 환경에 관한 경험 스토리를 통하여 소비자들과 소통하고 구매자들은 프라이탁 제품과 함께 또 다른 윤리적 경험 스토리를 생산해내고 공유한다. 이에 본 연구는 윤리적 기업의 브랜드 정체성 구축을 위한 디자인경영 전략에 관하여 고찰하고자 하는데 그 목적이 있다. 결론적으로 프라이탁의 디자인 경영의 가장 큰 특징은 ‘경험’과 ‘소통’의 방식을 따른다는 것이다. 이는 일방적인 소통이 아니라 소비자와의 양방향 소통이다. 프라이탁은 이러한 ‘경험의 소통’을 통하여 윤리적 기업으로서의 브랜드 정체성을 구축하고 이미지를 전달하고 있다.