The Business of Brand Management

The branded enemy. How Trump turns people into labels

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Häusler

In early July, a journalist asked Donald Trump a question about political responsibility for the recent flooding in Florida. Trump did not respond with facts or policy—he […]

SHORTS

War is over! Or: Who owns the kebab?

Alexander Rauch

TO BE DISCUSSED

Germany in fear: Would the application by Udofed, the International Kebab Association based in Turkey, to include the kebab in the EU list of guaranteed traditional specialties […]

Divide and merge. And then?

Alexander Rauch

TO BE DISCUSSED

Once again, the cards are being reshuffled in the global CPG business: Ferrero is once again on a shopping spree and is now buying W.K. Kellog (after […]

Everything stays the same - and that is political

TO BE DISCUSSED

Cracker Barrel actually just wanted to dust itself off a bit: less decoration, clearer colors, a slimmed-down logo. Four restaurants in the USA have already been modernized […]

Back to school, marketing!

Alexander Rauch

TO BE DISCUSSED

For all the kids and teens out there, it's been "Back to School!" for two weeks now. Of course, you have to look good for the start […]

Market value is not created by performance alone

Laura Schreiner

TO BE DISCUSSED

Tennis has always been a sport of elegance. But elegance alone does not create value. In today's tennis world, it is not only the score that determines […]

Without brand language, AI remains a voice without a face

Laura Schreiner

TO BE DISCUSSED

When AI understands emotions - brand language determines trust and recognition. Today, artificial intelligence can do more than just execute commands. It listens, it recognizes patterns, it […]

I never said that! At least not like that!

Alexander Rauch

TO BE DISCUSSED

If, as we can safely assume, you not only read our newsletters but also remember them, you will of course know that three years ago we already […]

When success becomes too great

TO BE DISCUSSED

Airbnb began as a simple idea: a bed with locals instead of expensive hotels, personal contact, authentic travel. Today it is a billion-dollar company - and in […]

Between laughter and mission statement

TO BE DISCUSSED

While other brands use glossy images and soft claims to attract attention, Sixt drives straight through the middle with meme culture and political exaggeration - always a […]

Editorials

Notes on dealing with customers, the media and the public*

Prof. Kurt Weidemann

Anyone who works successfully and competently in their profession should also be where they should always be when dealing with customers, the public and the media: fully focused.

Editorials

HOW CAN A PHARMA BRAND SUPPORT ITS INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION WITH A CLEAR, DIFFERENTIATED IMAGE?

The example of Devatis shows how strategic brand work and design go hand in hand to open up complex markets. Strategic challenge: putting a pharmaceutical brand on […]

Editorials

The Circular Shift: How Brands Are Turning Sustainability into Competitive Advantage

In this article, I explore the transformative impact of Circular Branding on modern brand strategy, emphasising its pivotal role in fostering sustainability within consumer markets.

Editorials

Why lived values are becoming a key resource for corporate communication

Valentin Heisters

Communicating your own brand is becoming increasingly difficult to control. Today, people are quicker to recognize the attitudes behind statements and actions - they distinguish between substance […]

Editorials

A more user-friendly government? A (very) bad joke.

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Häusler

A MODEST PROPOSAL

Donald J. Trump has never been shy about his obsession with appearances. From the gold-plated bathrooms of Trump Tower to his insistence that hamburgers be served on […]

Editorials

Communication as a service using the example of a city

PERSPECTIVES

When we talk about public design, communication, or branding, we must first make a clear distinction between public institutions and commercial enterprises. A public institution […]

Editorials

Are city brands valuable? From Claims to Calculations

Dr. Eric Häusler Prof. Dr. Jürgen Häusler

A MODEST PROPOSAL

In June 2024, Dortmund’s city council adopted a new brand narrative. By May 2025, the corresponding design was introduced. Under the guiding claim “The Only One of […]

Opinions

A more user-friendly government? A (very) bad joke.

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Häusler

A MODEST PROPOSAL

Donald J. Trump has never been shy about his obsession with appearances. From the gold-plated bathrooms of Trump Tower to his insistence that hamburgers be served on […]

Opinions

The ends of the parabola

Uli Mayer-Johanssen

RE-VIEW

If we save ourselves poor, it makes people ill. If there is too much choice, it makes us unhappy - despite our enthusiasm for diversity. Not only […]

Interviews

Ingenuity that works: What it takes to build a true challenger brand in aviation

Amaury Barberot Johannes Christensen

A conversation with the CEO of Expliseat on timing, transformation, and leadership in brand building. Expliseat is a true game changer, not only in the French industry, but […]

Interviews

Human brand

Günther Misof Moritz Schwack

Interview by Günther Misof with Moritz Schwack, Managing Partner of SWING Collections GmbH in Schermbeck. Moritz, we got to know each other some time ago. I was […]