Short description
A veteran author and branding expert shows readers how to leverage the power of branding and make the leap from strategy to execution. After explaining what a brand is (and isn't) and discussing the foundations of a brand, Neumeier discusses five critical disciplines: differentiation, collaboration, innovation, validation, and cultivation.
Long description
The second edition features a 220-term brand glossary and a premium softcover binding. The Brand Gap is the first book to present a unified theory of brand. Whereas most books on branding are weighted toward either a strategic or creative approach, this book shows how both ways of thinking can unite to produce a "charismatic brand" - a brand that customers feel is essential to their lives. In an entertaining two-hour read you'll learn: a new definition of brand; the five essential disciplines of brand-building; how branding is changing the dynamics of competition; the three most powerful questions to ask about any brand; why collaboration is the key to brand-building; how design determines a customer's experience; how to test brand concepts quickly and cheaply; and the importance of managing brands from the inside. Not since McLuhan's the medium is the message has a book compressed so many ideas into so few pages. Using the visual language of the boardroom, Neumeier presents the first unified theory of branding - a set of five disciplines to help companies bridge the gap between brand strategy and customer experience.;Those with a grasp of branding will be inspired by the new perspectives they find here, and those who would like to understand it better will suddenly "get it." This deceptively simple book offers everyone in the company access to "the most powerful business tool since the spreadsheet.""The surprise book of the year!" - John Moore, Fast Company. "The first book on brand that seems fresh and relevant." - Ric Grefe, executive director of AIGA, the professional association for design. "A pleasure to read." - David A. Aaker, author of "Brand Portfolio Strategy" And "Building Strong Brands" "Cuts to the heart of what brand is all about." - Susan Rockrise, worldwide brand director, Intel". Read this book before your competitors do!" - Tom Kelley, general manager, Ideofrom The Inside Flaps. "A pleasure to read. "The Brand Gap" consistently provides deep, practical insights in a light, visual way. Discover the power of imagery and the role of research in building a heavy-duty brand - without the heavy-duty reading." - David Aaker, author of Brand leadership and Building Strong Brands".;Finally, a book that cuts to the heart of what brand is all about - connecting the rational and the emotional, the theoretical and the practical, the logical and the magical to create a sustainable competitive advantage." - Susan Rockrise, Worldwide Brand Director, Intel In "The Brand Gap", Neumeier reminds us that the ultimate moment of truth for all brands is the customer experience. Customer perceptions trump our own perceptions." - Kurt Kuehn, senior VP of worldwide marketing and sales, UPS. "This is not just another book on brand. This is the only book you'll need to read in business, engineering, and design school." - Clement Mok, design entrepreneur. "A well-managed brand is the lifeblood of any successful company - and Neumeier shows us exactly how to do it. Read this book before your competitors do!" - Tom Kelley, general manager of Idec, co-author of "The Art Of Innovation". "The Brand Gap" couldn't be more timely. Just when we're at our most skeptical about corporate motives, along comes a book that shows how to evaluate and develop a brand in a straightforward and honest manner.";- David Stuart, co-founder of The Partners, co-author of "A Smile In The Mind" Must-reading for anyone who wants to understand how their business strategy will succeed or fail when put to the ultimate test: 'Do customers perceive a difference that's desirable?'" - Steve Harrington, director of strategy and operations, Hewlett-Packard. "The book slices like a hot knife through all the turgid, pseudo-academic nonsense that surrounds branding. It's now on the course list for my graduate students, and new members of my team at Ogilvy get a copy with their training materials." - Brian Collins, executive creative director, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide.
Review
The surprise book of the year! --JOHN MOORE, EDITOR AT FAST COMPANY The first book on brand that seems fresh and relevant. --RIC GREFE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AIGA, THE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR DESIGN A pleasure to read. THE BRAND GAP consistently provides deep, practical advice in a light, visual way. Learn about the power of imagery and the role of research in building a heavy-duty brand--without the heavy-duty reading. --DAVID A. AAKER, AUTHOR OF BRAND PORTFOLIO STRATEGY AND BUILDING STRONG BRANDS Finally, a book that cuts to the heart of what brand is all about--connecting the rational and the emotional, the theoretical and the practical, the logical and the magical to create a sustainable competitive advantage. --SUSAN ROCKRISE, WORLDWIDE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, INTEL A well-managed brand is the lifeblood of any successful company. Read this book before your competitors do! --TOM KELLEY, GENERAL MANAGER, IDEO, AND CO-AUTHOR OFTHE ART OF INNOVATION In THE BRAND GAP, Neumeier reminds us that the ultimate moment of truth for all brands is the customer experience. Customer perceptions trump our own perceptions. --KURT KUEHN, SENIOR VP OF WORLDWIDE MARKETING AND SALES, UPS This is not just another book on brand. This is the ONLY book you'll need to read in business, engineering, and design school. --CLEMENT MOK, design entrepreneur Must-reading for anyone who wants to understand how their business strategy will succeed or fail when put to the ultimate test: 'Do customers perceive a difference that's desirable?' --STEVE HARRINGTON, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS, HEWLETT-PACKARD The book slices like a hot knife through all the turgid, pseudo-academic nonsense that surrounds branding. It's now on the course list for my graduate students, and new members of my team at Ogilvy get a copy with their training materials. --BRIAN COLLINS, EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR, OGILVY