EXC 3622 Branding

APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013

EXC 3622 Branding Responsible for the course Bendik Samuelsen Department Department of Marketing Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 7,5 Language of instruction English Introduction Branding, or brand building and brand management concern almost all players in the public and private sectors of the economy. Branding deals extensively with positioning and value creation for customers, with the objective of becoming the preferred provider of products or services. As an increasing number of sectors and categories in the economy is becoming demand-driven, this implies that customers will have to make choices between competing, alternative suppliers. In this situation, most people behave as customers who choose between different brands to satisfy different needs. This is a basic course in branding. With a wide focus, it stresses that branding is far more than making persuasive advertising. A brand is made by an organization, and subsequently positioned toward a target customer group. The frame of reference adopted by this course, is one of accepting that the brand and its position basically exist in one place: in the minds of the customers, as a mental representation, or position if you like. As such, this course holds a strong focus on the customer, and regards customer-value creation as the premise for brand strategies. Accordingly, the student's existing knowledge of consumer behaviour in particular, and marketing management in general, is the foundation on which to build an understanding of brand management. Learning outcome Acquired knowledge On completion of the course the student shall: Be able to describe and understand why brands exist, and their value and functions for buyers and owners. Be able to describe, understand and identify central components of a branded article, brand awareness, brand associations, and how these components are established in consumers' memory. Possess knowledge of, and ability to describe, and an understanding of the most important theories and principles for the development of brands at the article and corporate level. Possess knowledge of, and ability to describe and discuss varying strategies for brand growth, including brand extensions, brand hierarchies and brand portfolios, brand elements, brand collaborations, and brand communications Acquired skills On completion of the course the student shall: Be able to give a presentation of different methods for brand valuation, and how they (in principle) should be conducted Be able to apply the brand equity pyramid or other brand management models to identify gaps between a brand's real and desired position Be able to develop suggestions for brand growth strategies, including extensions, architecture, collaboration, brand elements and brand communications Be able to apply knowledge and theories of branding across contexts: products, services, public and private sector, concrete articles and abstract corporate levels Developed reflection: Brands have strong social and symbolic functions, and can be misused as means of sanctions towards those lacking resources to buy these brands. The student should understand, and show a willingness to take into consideration that brands play such significant roles in many markets that some might be tempted to sacrifice ethics and morale to achieve their goals. This responsibility holds for all aspects of brand building. Prerequisites Introductory courses in Marketing Management, Consumer Behaviour, and Marketing Communication or equivalent skills are required. Compulsory reading Books: Keller, Kevin Lane. 2012. Strategic brand management : building, measuring, and managing brand equity. 4th ed. Pearson/Prentice Hall Collection of articles: Samuelsen, Bendik M. (Ed.). 2011. Compendium of Articles and Cases Other: During the course there may be hand-outs and other material on additional topics relevant for the course and the examination. Recommended reading Course outline Introduction to brand management as a theoretical field and arena for managerial decisions Brand awareness and brand associations The brand value chain, methods for brand valuation, the customer based brand equity pyramid Brand elements Brand extensions, brand architecture and brand portfoliomanagement Brand communications: objectives and planning Brand collaboration Computer-based tools None required. Learning process and workload The learning outcomes are to be achieved through a combination of lectures and group work with assignments (mandatory). Discussion of solutions of mandatory assignments will be conducted in class. Coursework requirement Three cases will be handed out at the beginning of the course. These are to be solved in groups of minimum two, maximum three students, and must be handed in at assigned dates/time. Individual submissions will only be accepted in extreme cases based on a written application. Two of three assignments must be approved in order for the student to allowed to sit for the final exam. Activity Hours Participation in classes 33 Preparation for classes 45 Assignment work in groups 60 Self-study, preparations for the examination 59 Examination 3 Total recommended use of hours 200 Coursework requirements In order to sit for final exam students must have get approved a minimum of two of three assignments during the course. Examination A three-hour individual written examination concludes the course. Examination code(s) EXC 36221- Written examination, counts 100% towards the final grade in EXC 3622 Branding, 7,5 credits. Examination support materials No support materials allowed except fro a bilingual dictionary. Support materials permitted at written examiniations are explained under exam information in our web-based Student handbook. Please note use of calculator and dictionary. http://www.bi.edu/studenthandbook/examaids Re-sit examination A re-sit is held at the end of next ordinary course. Additional information

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