1. Brand Image
This strategy, developed and popularized by David Ogilvy, emphasizes that the primary duty of an advertiser is to give the brand a distinct identity and personality through advertising. A brand’s image lives in the minds of consumers, making it crucial to create a differentiated perception beyond the product’s attributes. To stand out among thousands of similar brands, a well-crafted and consistent brand image is essential.
The foundation of this approach lies in creating a brand personality that aligns with its values, purpose, and goals. Questions like “If my brand were a person, what kind of personality would it have? Where would it live? What would it wear? Would it play sports?” help define the brand’s personality, revealing its emotional attributes. Effective advertising communicates these emotional values, building psychological connections with the audience.
- Example 1: İş Bankası (Turkey)
Through commercials featuring Cem Yılmaz, İş Bankası emphasizes its heritage, customer respect, and emotional ties with its audience. Its initiatives such as “81 Cities, 81 Forests” and educational sponsorships further reinforce this image. - Example 2: Converse
Converse focuses on selling a lifestyle rather than functional benefits, elevating its consumers to a particular cultural status and highlighting a “cool” image in its advertising.
2. Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
This strategy focuses on identifying what the brand does best and communicating this unique advantage through advertising.
- Example: Domino’s Pizza
The “Delivered in 30 minutes or less” campaign showcases Domino’s Pizza’s promise of speed and reliability, directly addressing its core value proposition.
3. Lovemarks
Becoming a “Lovemark” requires a brand to foster emotional connections and loyalty with its consumers. This advanced stage of brand evolution emphasizes deep emotional bonds, which transform consumers into brand advocates. Lovemarks stand a class apart, not just a step ahead.
- Example 1: Harley-Davidson
For Harley enthusiasts, the brand represents a lifestyle rather than just a mode of transport. The emotional connection is evident in its marketing, reflecting shared values and consumer aspirations. - Example 2: Arçelik
Arçelik created strong consumer bonds with its beloved characters, Çelik and Çeliknaz. Campaigns such as their wedding ad emphasized innovation and aesthetics while creating an emotional resonance, with the tagline, “Designed with Love for Innovation.”
4. Repositioning Strategy
Rapid changes in target audiences often require brands to reposition themselves to maintain relevance. This strategy aims to extend the product’s perceived utility beyond its original use case, unlocking new markets and usage scenarios.
- Example: Johnson & Johnson
The brand repositioned its baby shampoo for adults, emphasizing its gentle formula to expand its market reach.
5. Positioning
Since the 1990s, positioning strategies have focused on establishing a unique place for a product or service in the consumer’s mind.
- Example: Dove
Dove positioned its soap not as a regular cleaning product but as a “moisturizing beauty bar,” differentiating itself with its creamy formula and cosmetic-like packaging.
6. Star Strategy
This strategy uses celebrity endorsements to make a brand memorable and relatable to its audience. Associating the brand with well-known personalities enhances consumer recall and brand prestige.
- Example: Turkish Airlines (THY)
Turkish Airlines collaborated with global stars like Kevin Costner and Lionel Messi, leveraging their popularity to enhance brand recognition and appeal.
By employing these creative strategies, brands can achieve differentiation, foster emotional connections, and maintain relevance in the competitive advertising landscape.