A ‘brand’ metaverse is a virtual space where customers experience the brand via digital avatars. With the advancement of augmented and virtual reality technologies, a brand metaverse is an important medium for communicating the brand with customers. In this study, we focus on the resemblance between a customer’s self and his/her avatar (i.e., self-avatar resemblance) in the brand metaverse and examine its influence on brand attitude. Prior studies examine self-avatar resemblance exclusively in non-brand-related virtual gaming platforms and test its effect on identity perception and immersion in the platforms. However, few studies probe the extent to which self-avatar resemblance influences customers' exploration in a brand metaverse and their attitude toward the brand. We fill this research gap by uncovering the positive effects of self-avatar resemblance on brand attitude and purchase intentions. Moreover, we proffer that the customers’ engagement toward the brand metaverse platform mediates the relationship between self-avatar resemblance and brand attitude. In addition, based on the interactive nature of metaverse, we hypothesize copresence―the number of avatars exploring the brand metaverse at the same time―to be a moderator, which strengthens the mediation. We conduct an experiment using a fashion brand’s virtual world positioned in a popular metaverse platform. In this experiment, participants create an avatar and freely roam around in the brand metaverse with their avatars. By reviewing the screen recording of each participant’s brand exploration in the metaverse, we measure self-avatar resemblance and other constructs. We also collect responses from questionnaires designed to measure attitudinal and behavioral variables. With the accumulated data, we test the hypotheses using partial least square structural equation model and find the results largely consistent with the hypotheses. With the findings, we provide important and interesting implications to marketing practitioners considering and doing ‘metaverse marketing.’

본 연구는 축구 스타의 휴먼 브랜드가 구단에 대한 태도 및 애착에 미치는 영향력을 규명하여 구단 소속 스타 선수들의 브랜드 관리의 중요성 및 시사점을 제공하고자 했다. 따라서 K리그 구단 소속 축구 선수를 선호하고 있는 사람을 표본으로 선정해 2021년 1월 14일부터 3월 5일까지 모바일 조사를 실시했으며, 총 348부의 자료를 최종 분석에 이용했다. 자료처리는 SPSS(ver. 21.0) 프로그램을 활용해 빈도분석, 내적일관성 및 탐색적 요인분석, 상관분석, 다중회귀 분석을 실시했다. 본 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 축구 스타의 휴먼 브랜드는 윤리성, 매력성, 차별성 순으로 구단에 대한 태도에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 축구 스타의 휴먼 브랜드는 윤리성, 매력성, 차별성 순으로 구단에 대한 애착에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate brand slognas that are effective in explaining how brand identity affects consumers. The effect of congruity between brand slogan and self-image (low and high) on attitude to slogans and brands were anaylzed. The moderating effect of self-monitoring (low and high) was also investigated. Survey data from 177 people in their 20s-30s were analyzed through descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and two-way ANOVA. First, congruity between slogan and self-image had a positive effect on both slogan and brand attitude. In other words, the higher the congruity between slogan and self-image, the more positive the attitude toward the slogan and brand. Second, no interactive effect was found in congruity between slogan and self-image and self-monitoring on slogan attitude; however it was identified for brand attitude. Again, in a group with high congruity between slogan and self-image, attitude toward the brand was more positive when self-monitoring was higher than when it was low. In conclusion, brand slogans that can represent the self-image of highly self-monitoring consumers are effective. In particular, this is meaningful as it has revealed its relationship with the impact of identity self-image congruity and self-monitoring on brand attitudes in fashion brands. These results offer meaningful guidance in determining brand slogans according to consumers’ personal characteristics.

Luxury companies are striving to improve their communication with customers while paying attention to online promotion and marketing activities. As companies interact with customers in luxury brand communities via various channels, they yield consumers higher value throughout the effective consumption process. In addition, this connection enhances customers’ understanding of the company, making it easier for companies to acquire empathy from customers. This study aims to analyze the value factors that affect luxury brand community members’ purchase intention and brand attitude. This study utilizes online survey results of four hundred prestige brand community users in China. The results reveal the positive effects of customer engagement on customer psychological empowerment and flow, the positive impacts of customer psychological empowerment and flow on community identity and brand attachment, the positive effects of community identity on purchase intentions, and the positive effects of brand attachment on purchase intentions and brand attitude. Furthermore, the results show that community types and fashion involvement partially moderate customer engagement. This study provides theoretical suggestions for relationship marketing in the luxury brand community environment. Last, this study presents practical implications that companies could utilize to create an emotional connection with their community members, resulting in an increase of customer support.

본 연구는 프로야구 소비자를 대상으로 프로야구 PPL광고속성이 브랜드인지, 브랜드태도 및 행동의도에 미치는 영향을 분석하였다. 프로야구 구단과 모기업의 다양한 마케팅 활용 전략으로 활용될 수 있는 방안을 제시하는데 본 연구의 목적이 있다. 본 연구는 프로야구 소비자 411명을 대상으로 실시되었다. 자료처리는 SPSS 25.0 Window Version을 활용하여 빈도분석(frequency analysis), 신뢰도 분석 (correlation analysis), 상관관계 분석(reliability analysis), 다중회귀분석(multiple regression analysis)을 실시하였다. 그리고 평균분산추출지수(AVE: Confirmatory Factor Analysis)와 개념신뢰도(CR: Construct Validity)를 산출하여 집중타당도(Convergent Validity) 및 판별타당도(Discriminant Validity)를 검증하였다. 또한, AMOS 25.0을 활용하여 확인적 요인분석(Confirmatory Factor Analysis: CFA)을 실시하였다. 그 결과 첫째, PPL광고속성의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 브랜드인지에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, PPL광고속성의의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 브랜드태도에 유의한 영향 을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, PPL광고속성의의 하위요인인 오락성, 정보성, 불편성은 행동의도에 유의 한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 브랜드인지, 브랜드태도는 행동의도에 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

In Korea, where the residential environment of well-being has been especially developed, marketing using well-being brands has been actively carried out, and more recently, there has been a growing interest in the well-being brand experience and the correct understanding of consumers' perceptions and attitudes. This study was intended to reveal that the experience of well-being brands increases the attitude and confidence of brands, and consequently positively acts on the intention and loyalty of purchasing them. First of all, the well-being brand experience not only works positively on brand trust and attitude, but also raises the intention of buying again. Second, well-being brand trust is showing a positive effect on brand attitudes and intent to buy back. Third, the well-being brand attitude turned out to have a positive effect on the intention of repurchase. Unlike conventional well-being brand-related research, this study focuses on brand experience, so it provides a new understanding of well-being brand experience and consumer psychology and behavior in well-being brand marketing. Thus, adding a new perspective to existing well-being brand research, the company's perspective provides practical implications that should be considered for successful well-being marketing.

This study employed the social comparison theory, brand signally theory and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to examine the extent to which attributes of a celebrity endorsing a brand and brand values impact on young adults’ cosmetics brand attitude and purchase intention. Data was collected from 301 young adult South Africans. Structural equation modelling results revealed that cosmetics brand attitude was influenced by celebrity attractiveness, credibility, celebrity product expertise and the symbolic brand value enjoyed from the brand. The brand attitude in turn predicted purchase intention.

본 연구는 베트남 소비자들이 인식하는 한류브랜드 지역성이 국가 친밀감에 미치는 영향과 국가 친밀감이 한국 기업, 한국 제품에 대한 태도와 구매의도에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 살펴보고자 하였다. 특히 본 연구는 기존 선행 연구들을 바탕으로 한류의 관점에서 베트남 소비자가 인식하는 브랜드 지역성을 살펴보고자 하였다. 최근 한국기 업들은 한국대중문화를 중심으로 전 세계적으로 높은 인기를 얻고 있는 한류현상을 활용하여 한국 제품과 브랜드를 개발함으로서 한류브랜드를 구축하고 있다. 이에 한류지수가 높게 평가된 베트남 현지 소비자를 대상으로 한류를 잘 반영하고 있는 한국 화장품을 대표적인 한류브랜드로 선정하여 조사하였다. 가설검증을 위해 인터넷, 모바일 URL을 통한 응답 방법을 사용하여 베트남 현지 소비자 총 212명의 자료를 수집하였다. 실증분석 결과, 한 류브랜드 지역성은 국가 친밀감에 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 베트남 소비자들이 한국에 대해 긍정적 감정인 친밀감이 형성되면 한국 기업과 제품에 대한 태도에 정(+)의 영향을 미치는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 이러한 소비자태도는 구매의도에 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

Thanks to their competitive price, store brands have important opportunities in emerging countries where customers have greater experience with modern retail products. However, less research has been devoted to the effect of store brand price while it is well known that price image is a critical factor that drives purchase behavior. The aim of this research is to understand how store brand price image factors (relative price, perceived benefit and perceived value) and perceived risk dimensions (functional and financial) affect attitude toward store brands in Colombia. Store brand relative price, store brand perceived benefit and store brand perceived value affect significantly attitude toward store brands in the Colombian context. However, neither store brand perceived functional risk, not store brand perceived financial risk affect attitude toward store brands. These results highlight the specificity of Colombia among emerging countries and have both theoretical and managerial implications.

The success of Marvel movies attracts more companies to place their brands in this series of movies, apparel brand like Under Armour or car manufacturer like BMW has largely used the movie as medium of product placement to increase brand equity. To understand how the product placement in the movie affect consumer attitude and purchase intention is in needed. Neer (2004) states that product placement is a type of marketing by creating impression for consumers unconsciously through incorporation into the plot of TV programs, movies and other media. The conceptual model was built based on the Russell’s (2002) tripartite typology of product placement and social comparison theory. We presume brand-self congruity, placement explicitness, plot connection, and attitude toward the plot and role are positively related to brand attitude and purchase intention. The research employed experiment with a 2 (placement explicitness: prominent/subtle) x 2 (plot connection: main character/supporting role) between subject design. The research theme is under the Under Armour because the brand used product placement as the company’s major marketing communication process of move placement. The research result shows that the more the product placement is identifiable in the movies, with frequent usage or appearance in main plot, the better the placement effect is; the preference of consumers on movies, including plot and role attitude, explicitly influences placement effect. If the real self or ideal self of consumers are consistent with brand image, a higher brand attitude and purchase intention will occur. To best of our knowledge, our paper is first one using self-congruity and attitude toward the plot to investigate the outcome of product placement in the movies. The research concludes with implications for promotion strategy to advance brand image and purchase intention by increasing the effectiveness of product placement. Future research suggestions relevant to the product placement issues, marketing communication and brand management are also provided.

In many mature markets competition keeps growing. As a result, products are increasingly becoming similar, which often prompts price reductions and other promotional tools to ensure profit margins and the long-term marketing viability. Another solution frequently employed to win the competition is the use of emotional advertising (Rossiter & Percy, 1997). This is because products sharing the same or similar attributes can generate different emotion, therefore, be perceived different. However, the frequent use of emotional advertising has led to the situation that not only products but also their ads become similar primarily because consumers buying products of the same category tend to prefer similar effects. Such similarity of the ads is likely to create confusion among the ads so that consumers may not identify the brands of the ads correctly. Impacts of the confusion, however, may differ due to a number of variables. Of the variables, a few critical variables are examined in this study, and several propositions are suggested for the future study.

New product entails risk, causing resistance to adoption. The recommendation system may decrease the psychological risk by guiding decision making process to be more efficient (Häubl and Trifts, 2000). AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been getting smarter and smarter and widely applied to the recommendation system. Even while you are browsing on your Facebook, AI recommends you the products that you may like based on the customized analysis of your interest. However, do people always love to adopt the smart recommends from AI? Definitely no! Then when and why people reluctantly accept AI recommendation? We assume that the product or service where the sense and feeling is important, people might be reluctant to accept the recommendation from artificial intelligence. This is because people might feel threatened when the AI challenges against human uniqueness (Gray and Wegner, 2012). Thus, in this study we investigated how the recommendation system types (AI vs. Human) affect brand attitude depending on the brand image (Symbolic vs. Functional). We found consumers are reluctant to accept a recommendation from AI in symbolic brand where human sense and feel are considered to be critical factors (Study1). This effect was further explained by uncanny-feeling toward the AI recommendation system (Study2). This research is meaningful in that it is the first attempt to apply the artificial intelligence recommendation concept to the marketing strategy by incorporating the concept of brand image. We predicted and found AI based recommendation system is reluctantly accepted for symbolic brand. Furthermore, we discovered the underlying process for this phenomenon as uncanny feeling. People seemed to have uncomfortable feelings against AI recommendation when the brand image is related to sense and feel considered as nature of human uniqueness. Thus, marketers should be very cautious when utilizing the AI recommendation system not to threaten human uniqueness area.

Customers’ cognitive and affective responses evoked during shopping are closely linked to their attitude toward a brand (Kim, Park, Lee & Choi, 2016). Furthermore, personal traits have been known as important moderators. Studies on the antecedents of customer attitude have focused on the main effects of specific predictors and are yet to examine the combined effect of cognitive and affective responses during shopping and personal traits (Fiore & Kim, 2007). Using complexity theory, this study intends to fill this gap in the research, particularly in the luxury fashion retail context. Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study offers 6 combination patterns of cognitive responses, affective responses, and personal traits leading to positive brand attitude. The results reveals three major findings. First, to shape a customer’s positive attitude toward a luxury brand, managing cognitive responses is more important than managing affective responses. Second, results show that avoiding negative feelings is more important than evoking positive feelings. Third, the combinations that lead to positive attitudes differ by the level of brand familiarity. This study contributes to the S-O-R literature by demonstrating the intertwined relationship between components of the organism (O) (i.e., cognition and emotion). The identified configurations can help luxury retail managers recognize patterns of influential factors on customer attitudes and better design retail experiences.