Building a human brand: Brand anthropomorphism unravelled

Sivan Portal, Russell Abratt and Michael Bendixen

Business Horizons, 2018, vol. 61, issue 3, 367-374

Abstract: Brand anthropomorphism has been found to enhance the ability of consumers to recognize the inherent value of brands. However, there is limited knowledge among practitioners on how to build a brand with humanlike characteristics. After a literature review of brand anthropomorphism in general and the theory of warmth and competence in particular, we present the Human Brand Model of how to build a brand that is perceived to be human. There are four steps in this process; the first three indicate the brand inputs and the last indicates the results of those inputs. This model guides brand managers on how to make their brand more human. The use of this model should result in the organization having an excellent brand reputation; stronger, more meaningful relationships with its customers; and improved brand loyalty.

Keywords: Brand anthropomorphism; The human brand; Brand authenticity; Theory of warmth and competence; Human brand model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:bushor:v:61:y:2018:i:3:p:367-374

DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2018.01.003

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