In this chapter, we study brand messaging and communications at the implementation and tactical level. We will examine how consumers perceive brand messaging and marketing. We begin with perception as it is one of the most critical aspects in understanding consumer behavior.

“Perception is a psychological variable involved in the purchase decision process that is known to influence consumer behavior. Other variables included in this consumer process are motivation, learning, attitude, personality, and lifestyle.” Retrieved 27 Dec. 2016 from Boundless All of these variables are crucial in interpreting the consumer buying process and can also help guide marketing efforts.

It is essential to understand consumer behavior for two reasons. The process of perception is continuous; people construct their interpretations on the fly. What the customer perceives to be a negative attribute, will affect their subsequent actions and behavior. What they understand is not necessarily correct. Why is that? The process of perception is inherently biased. Bias is a strong inclination of the mind or a preconceived opinion about something or someone. Bias affects the interpretation of an idea and may be favorable or unfavorable.

The process of perception occurs in several different stages. With selective exposure and selective attention, customers do not collect data on things that might change their opinion. This is the first stage of perception. In the second stage of perception once they are exposed to something and pay attention to it, then they have to interpret it.

Personal beliefs and bias influence how data is interpreted. For example, after a presidential debate, it is most important to have representatives from both parties explain what happened in the debate. Interpretations will vary as a result of their prior beliefs and worldview. This concept applies to consumer behavior. Consumers are exposed to and pay attention to specific stimuli depending on what they allow their eyes to look at. Prior beliefs will influence how new information is interpreted. As a result, these perceptions are frequently biased, and they do not necessarily represent factual conclusions.

The first two stages of perception are attention and exposure. Exposure to stimuli is required before people can form an opinion. Because people give notice to the stimuli that are significant to them, we know the process is biased. Exposure to stimuli occurs consciously or by accident. Often conscious exposure to inputs is a function of personal beliefs. For example, if you believe a certain area of town is not safe, you will avoid visiting that part of town. Naturally, you will not expose yourself to something you do not think is safe. By not collecting “new data” related to “the Un-safe” part of town, your perception will not change. Exposure can be selective. If you are exposed to a new idea, you need to have paid attention to have it affect your judgment.

There are two kinds of attention, voluntary and involuntary. Involuntary attention can be something like a loud noise, as you are forced to pay attention to it. Voluntary attention is selective and depends on the action of the individual.

The perceptual process includes some of the following factors. The marketer creates all sorts of sensory inputs that the consumer is exposed to. Sensory data include brand communication, advertising, and packaging. The exposure is biased toward the seller's products and consumers are exposed to thousands of marketing measures and marketing cues every single day. Exposure exists whether or not consumers acknowledge its existence.

Mark Yackanich, CEO of video tech company Genesis Media. “Today, metrics can measure anything.” Still, anything and everything doesn't necessarily translate into meaningful and valuable. In fact, Yackanich says that shallow metrics tend to measure volume rather than the consumption of content. He says marketers should no longer want just clicks but rather viewers time—and most importantly, attention. “As an industry, and to create a more sustainable economic model, we need to think about the real quality of marketing messages,” Yackanich says. Ask yourself, “What holds people's attention?” Yackanich insists that marketers today need to focus more on attention metrics—or those measurements that track the “total time audience members spend with content and their level of engagement.” Chris Stark, SVP of product marketing at Grapeshot says that attention metrics enable marketers to delve deeper into the subjects, trends, motives, and values that are top-of-mind for the audience. “Attention is mindshare,” he continues. “Attention means that some amount of thought is diverted toward that message or product. It's when you apply a little bit more of your consideration—that spectrum of thought that someone gives toward something.” from dmnews

To illustrate interpretation we can use the Stroop effect as a demonstration of interference in the reaction time of a task. Your perceptions will affect your subsequent behavior. Your response is an automatic reaction influenced by your individual perception. You have an opinion that you automatically respond to. Despite the understanding that perceptions may be biased, it is difficult to control their influence regarding the automatic response and hard to block their effect. Here is an example of the Stroop test. There are a few words on the screen, and what I want you to tell me the color of the font. Read to yourself the color of the font for each of the words listed on the screen. Here are the words. and Maybe you were surprised by the first word, but more than likely understood what was going on by the fourth word. You saw that the word was blue, but the color of the font was red, so the answer was red. By the fourth one, you understood the pattern in this example, but it was still hard to break it.

It may have been challenging to stop yourself from reading the word and reading the word affected your subsequent behavior as it slowed you down. Because of the dissonance in the Stroop test, it can make people feel a little bit uncomfortable. It includes an element of stress manipulation. If the words match the color of the font, the task is much simpler. Here are four words where each color matches each word and as you can see, it is much easier and faster to read the words. and This effect cannot be blocked. Marketers understand how this affects perceptions and subsequent behaviors. Below are some visual illusions you may have seen before. Regarding the two lines on the screen, if you measure them, they are the same length. However, one appears longer than the other, and you just cannot change that thought.

Even though I tell you they are the same length and I can prove it to you, you still have the perception that the one on the bottom is longer. As another example, in the salad section of a grocery store where there are vegetables, marketers or grocers may place salad dressing near those vegetables. There's an implicit assumption that if a product is near another product, these products belong together. This is a perception that physical distance determines whether things are similar or belong together. Likewise, the snack food is placed near the beer.

Another bias is the similarity bias. People assume things that look alike have the same quality. This is an underlying theory behind store brands. If a store brand is packaged similar to the national brand, the assumption is the quality is the same. Even if the comparison test between the brands has not occurred, a presumption of perceived quality is made based on this process of similarity. The perceptual inferences are strong at influencing the perception of quality. Perceptual influences determine how consumers experience the product impact the price consumers are willing to pay. This is an critical consumer process for marketers to understand.

It is also particularly important in branding. Take a bottle of cola and slap on a brand logo, say the Coca-Cola brand, people will have different perceptions about that product than if the Coca-Cola brand wasn't there. With the Coca-Cola brand on it, people automatically think it tastes better and are also willing to pay a higher price for it. Once we put a brand logo or name on it, it changes the perceptions of the product. People make all sorts of other inferences, even if the product is the same. People think I'm not subject to that, I know I can judge certain products by the quality. Brand names are intrinsically influential on our perceptions.

Countless experiments have shown that people are influenced by the brand name that is put on the product, independent of the product quality. This occurs in the Stroop test, you just can't stop it. Once you see a brand name, you have certain perceptions about it. You also make certain inferences about that brand name. Those perceptions are translated into the product. We know that a powerful brand can have a powerful influence. The Coca-Cola brand name has been estimated to be worth 70 billion dollars. Putting that brand name on a product will change the price premiums people are willing to pay.

The brand name should tell a story that directly or at least indirectly ties to the product itself, its reason for being, and consumer needs/wants. A great example is Peloton, the new home exercise equipment company best known for its digitally connected stationary bike. In cycling parlance, a “peloton” is a group of cyclists at the front of the pack. This name is obviously relevant to cycling and leadership, but also speaks to the fact that via the online community, home cyclists are connected to each other—a “virtual pack”. Retrieved from:How to Create a Brand Name That Works

Because a brand is worth so much, often people look for ways to leverage the brand for growth. For instance, we all know Coca-Cola is associated with the cola soft drink. In 1982, Coca-Cola took that brand name and put it on a new product at the time, a diet soft drink, one that that no one had tasted before. They called it Diet Coke. Even though that product was not on the market before, people automatically assume it had good taste, they also believe it is a high-quality product. Because of this, they are willing to pay a higher premium price for that product. The perceptions of this brand new diet cola product are so strong simply due to the brand name that's stamped on the can.

Google named its virtual reality headset “Daydream”. In doing so, it created a foundation for the first decent virtual reality brand. It’s both a signifier and a definition of itself in one. How do you explain what an Oculus headset is to grandma? You can’t. A daydream, however, anyone can understand.

Now that we have discussed how important a brand is at creating perceptions of quality let's look at some of the inner workings of a brand and talk about the different elements of the brand. There are a variety of brand elements that can be selected, some may or may not be of use. These elements will identify or enhance brand awareness. If properly selected, they can help facilitate the formation of favorable and unique brand associations.

Brand associations include the brand name, (which is the anchor), brand logos, (your symbol), brand characters, packaging, brand slogans, and brand colors. When looking at these brand elements, a couple of thoughts come to mind. First of all, make sure all the brand elements work together to create a unique identity for the product and service. Also, ensure that everything that is selected is of one thought, one belief and work together in unison. One way of accomplishing unity is by the use of Brand Design Guidelines.

The Uber brand is more than a name. It’s a set of values, attributes, and artwork that reflects the spirit of the company. Using it consistently will reinforce their passion and commitment to providing a world-class experience. To get that consistency in their media messages, Uber offers Design Guidelines. You can see some of them here: Uber Guidelines

Brand elements should be memorable, easy to recognize and meaningful. Brand elements can be meaningful in two different ways. First of all, they describe the attributes of the product or the benefit of the product for the customer segment. Does the brand label/name form a perception? Ideally, these brand elements work together to persuade the customer of something positive.

Next, consider the visual impact. The look should be fun, engaging, aesthetically pleasing, and include rich visual imagery. If they include visual and verbal imagery, think about how those two things work together. There should be a harmonious, unified vision. Another important aspect to consider regarding your brand elements is protecting your identity. Acquiring a trademark for your brand name provides legal protection for those who try to replicate your brand name. You will want to try to identify a brand image and the brand elements that work together and are difficult to reproduce. This is crucial in maintaining a sustainable competitive advantage. People may not copy exactly what you do, but they steal part of your identity just by doing something that looks similar. Remember, it is expensive to create a strong brand name, and it becomes a precious asset.

Is your brand adaptable to market changes? Is it flexible enough to keep up with trends? Changes in consumer preferences, competition, or timing require a brand name that is flexible and can adapt to new business demands. It has to be flexible and easy to update. Ideally, your brand name and image should include elements that work together and can be used on new products as well. Coke started out on a regular cola drink, and they stretched that brand name to fit a diet cola drink. The key is to consider brand images that will be used not only on your initial product but could perhaps use on other future products as the company grows. This is important for your brand name to be interpreted successfully across different cultures. Even if you start out locally, today more and more brands are going global. When choosing your brand elements, select those that embody a global capacity, should your business expand globally. When developing a brand image, remember each aspect will play a different role in creating an overall perception. Each element has different strengths and weaknesses. To achieve some balance and global impact, you must consider how to use them strategically. The elements should work together to form a unique and consistent image.

Airbnb is used around the world by a vast global community. Their products and visual language need to be welcoming and accessible worldwide. To learn how they accomplished this difficult task visit their website for information on building a visual language

You may have a legacy brand name that is very familiar in the marketplace like Aflac, or Geico, both of which are acronyms. At the onset, they weren't such great brand names because they were not quick and easy to pronounce and remember. For both of these companies, the marketers used other elements to help strengthen the brand names. Aflac came up with the duck image, and Geico came up with the lizard image. This was done to help customers remember their brand names better. The most desirable method is to choose a brand name at the start of a business that is easy to process and recall.

Once brand awareness is established with a brand name, it is difficult and expensive to change. Remember, brand imagery is anchored on the name. Once a brand name is in place, then start thinking about logos and symbols, like the Nike Swoosh or McDonald's Golden Arches. These should grab the customer’s attention and trigger emotion. They can also reinforce your brand identity. Choose wisely, as again, symbols and logos can become outdated and ambiguous. They can be interpreted differently across cultures. Not all brands have a character, but a strong character can quickly draw attention. Think about what happens when a child sees Elmo or Cookie Monster

Mickey Mouse is a world-famous character, recognized everywhere, and people know it as fun, kid-friendly and exciting. Characters can work well, but they can become outdated or culturally bound. Certainly, not all brands have a character. A slogan or a jingle, if done well, can include a few more words and may also include music as part of the brand element; implemented to convey meaning. Nike's “Just Do It” is an extremely well-known slogan that adds value to the Nike brand name. In some instances, it can be challenging to translate. With jingles, take into account that musical tastes are different and not everybody will like it. Some people even think some jingles are annoying.

Dynamic packaging can be advantageous, and we will look at some examples of brands that were built on their package design. Packaging has a substantial impact on creating perceptions. Research has shown that consumers form opinions about the quality of the product by its package. The challenge with packaging is the manufacturer may not control how it ultimately presented to the consumer. This is because the channel or the retailer delivers that product and its packaging to the consumer. For example, a manufacturer may want the package oriented in a certain way, such as tilted or turned on an angle, but it may not appear that way on the shelf. Or if your product is supposed to be refrigerated, it may not be stored at the right temperature. These channel issues can sometimes prove to be a problem with packaging. All of these elements have advantages and disadvantages. If selected carefully and strategically, they can work well to create a strong brand image.

The brand name is significant to consumers and customers as it can seriously affect the likelihood of purchase. The brand name also influences the people who work for you, your employees. People take pride in the company they work for, and the reputation and brand name may make it easier or harder to hire and retain people. It may also affect employee morale and productivity. The brand name will affect growth opportunities. If the brand name is not adaptable and not transferable, it may affect the growth potential of the firm, and it can also affect investors. Sometimes without even realizing it, investors are affected by the brand name and about using the value of the brand name to make inferences about the merits and strengths of the firm as an investment opportunity. Many different types of brand names are significant in a variety of ways. The Best Made Company conveys a message of products that deliver superior form and function. Unfortunately some of the comments are less than positive!

Some brand names describe the product or service. Lean Cuisine is an example of a descriptive brand name. You know exactly what the product is by the brand name; non-fattening food. Some brand names are metaphors as they represent some kind of symbolism, such as Nissan's Infinity. Many legacy brand names are based on people's names. Ford and Ralph Lauren are brand names that were chosen because the brand is based on a company created by a particular person. At times, the meaning behind the brand names is unclear as to how it applies to the product. Apple is a great example of this, so is Camel. These are famous brand names, and you clearly understand what they are, but the brand names really do not have any direct connection with the product. A unique product creates a perception.

Then there are brand names that are altered to sound like a real word, but actually, they are not. For instance, Lucent or Spotify; you may have a general sense of what those brands mean, and you may think you know what those words are, but they are not real. A brand name can consist of a new word that has been created by blending two other words. Facebook is a great example because again, it is not an actual word, but you know what it is, a book of faces. Of course, there can be invented words that are not at all real, and you have no idea what it means nor can fathom a guess, like Exxon.

Here are just three examples of modern brand names that follow all of these patterns, and you will agree these brand names were powerful choices. Richard Branson explains that the origin of the brand name Virgin was established when he was 15-years-old. He was sitting in a room with some other 15-year-olds, and they were trying to think of a name for the record company. A couple of the girls said, “well, we're all virgins here,” this somehow or another generated their interest, and they said, “Well, if we started a record company, we'd be virgins in that business, so let's use that name.” Apparently, that's how that name was chosen, Branson also said at the time, it was considered a pretty risky brand name, and for a while, it was hard to register. Today, it has become an extraordinarily strong brand name. There is a lightheartedness around it that actually works really well with his products and markets.

Priceline is a different type of brand name. This a brand name that's quite descriptive if you know what that business is, you also know it is absolutely about establishing a line of prices. Priceline's meaning is quite clear, and it has been useful in that way, in a different way than Virgin.

Pierre Omidyar, while contemplating names for his auction site, initially planned to use the name of his computer consulting company, Echo Bay. However, echobay was already taken. So Omidyar shortened the name to “eBay” and bought the web address that we all know and love.

Google has now become a verb, as people Google things. It is interesting that the Google brand name was chosen by mistake. They originally intended their brand name to be Googol, which is a large number, 1 with 100 zeros after. They meant to correct the spelling from Google back to the original Googol at the beginning, but they never did. From a marketing point of view, Google is an interesting brand name. Because it is so well known, people can identify Google in just little pieces of the brand name. They can easily identify the colors and the typeface that Google plays around with.

As seen above Google likes to depict its trademark differently every time you see it. Whenever you go to the browser, you will see a different version of the brand name. A sign of an extraordinarily strong brand name that has very high brand awareness is one in which you can see it even when it is not the same every single time. These are examples of relatively new brand names that have been, very successful. When looking at new startups, today the trend is to make up brand names. Some new businesses come up with brand names that are invented such as Mibblio or Kaggle or Shodogg or The Magic Bike Company. Why is that happening? Part of the reason is that in today's world, a brand new business mandates a website right away. Most of the recognizable URLs have already been taken, and one way to get a URL that's uniquely identified with the new business is to invent a new word.

Also, other elements of the brand mix must be used in an attempt to give some identity to this brand name. At one time, Gap wasn't doing very well with their same-store sales, revenues were down, and they needed to do something to turn the business around. One of the things they were trying to do to modernize was to change the trademark or change the brand logo. The original brand logo as shown on the screen is a blue square with the word Gap in white on that blue square.

As you can see the new logo is very different, the blue square has shrunk, the typeface has changed, and it is now on a white background. When Gap put that brand name into their social media market, they were instantly met with very negative reaction. The new brand name was out there as a test for a week, and consumers hated it. The feedback was so negative that the company reverted to the previous logo. Interestingly, it ended up actually getting a lot of publicity at the time, in a pretty inexpensive way.

Changing your brand image is extremely expensive, especially for a retailer. There are signage, packaging and a host of things that make it costly to do so. For Gap, the fact that this change prompted such a negative reaction and that they found out so quickly was beneficial for the company. Some market research was done as a result of this somewhat famous incident. FMRI studies and neuroimaging studies were conducted to determine what was objectionable about the image. One problem was that when you have visual and verbal inputs in conflict with each other, people will interpret the visual aspect first.