religion of branding

A brand could be described as a container that holds a consistent set of beliefs.

Modern brands follow the same cultural pathways as religious iconography. The values associated with brands are a collective hallucination. There is no way that brands can actually embody these things - because brands are no more real than any god - both are powered by human belief. Take away the belief in the brand and it is nothing. It's vibes all the way down.
That is not to diminish the power of belief in any way, it is a powerful thing.

From the point of view of a designer working on established brands, assets are to be treated as religious artefacts.
Do not change or misrepresent them. The heraldry is sacred, and must not be interfered with, should the meaning of the brand be somehow lost.

Priests understand the inner secrets of the brand and engage in constructing elaborate artefacts that are only seen by the inner circle of initiates. The creation of a Brand Book is a religious activity and is used to align the work of contractors with the brand message.
Priests carry out conversations about 'what the brand is really about'. Factions dispute over the true meaning of the values of the brand akin to debates of the number of celestial feet may frolic upon a piece of haberdashery.

Is it

Shamanism book draws parallels with modern music and shamans
Corporate branding is religious actions displaced onto commercial activity.
Belief is still important, but more important is giving your money to the brand
Branches of religions compete with one another "soda wars"

Market share is mana

Brand value can be calculated

The idea that creating brand assets are some kind of religious artefact, that commerce itself and the heraldry is sacred and must not be sullied or misrepresented
Conversations about 'what the brand is really about' by the high priests that are there to carry the knowledge (circulated internally is arcane knowledge)
Brand Guardians are priests
They understand the inner secrets of the brand and how it must be presented and shown to the world

Protestantism and Catholicism in their various flavours are the

Working on projects involving major established brands is like being a monk.

A Brand is secular religion translated through commerce

Example

Suggested Structure:

  1. Introduction

    • Hook: Striking comparison between branding and religion
    • Thesis statement

  2. The Sacred Nature of Brand Assets

    • Comparison to religious artifacts
    • Brand guardians as custodians of sacred knowledge

  3. Brand Values as Commandments

    • How brand values guide corporate behavior
    • Parallels with religious doctrines

  4. The Priesthood of Branding

    • Brand managers and marketers as modern-day priests
    • Interpreting and spreading the brand's message

  5. Rituals and Worship in Consumer Culture

    • Brand loyalty as a form of devotion
    • Consumer behaviors as rituals

  6. Competing Denominations: Brand Wars

    • Market competition as religious schisms
    • "Soda wars" as an example

  7. The Economy of Faith: Brand Value and Market Share

    • Brand value as a measure of belief
    • Market share as a form of spiritual currency

  8. Conclusion

    • Reflection on the implications of branding as a modern religion
    • Call to action or thought-provoking final statement

10 Attention-Grabbing Titles:

  1. "The Gospel of Logos: How Branding Became Our New Religion"
  2. "From Crucifix to Swoosh: The Sacred Symbols of Consumer Faith"
  3. "Hallowed Be Thy Brand: The Spiritual Journey of Modern Marketing"
  4. "Corporate Commandments: The Ten Tenets of Brand Worship"
  5. "Mecca of the Mall: Pilgrimage in the Age of Consumerism"
  6. "The Holy Trinity of Product, Price, and Promotion"
  7. "Prophets in Pinstripes: The Evangelical Zeal of Brand Managers"
  8. "Branded Believers: How Companies Became Our New Deities"
  9. "The Capitalist Catechism: Reciting Brand Values as Modern Prayers"
  10. "In Logos We Trust: The Spiritual Economy of Brand Loyalty"

Biblical References to Images or Icons:

  1. The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:4) - Compare to iconic brand mascots or logos
  2. The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-22) - Parallel with protected brand assets
  3. The Cross - Compare to universally recognized brand symbols (e.g., McDonald's arches)
  4. Holy Relics - Compare to limited edition or collector's items from popular brands
  5. Stained Glass Windows - Compare to vibrant visual branding and advertisements

Expanded Ideas:

  1. Brand Guardians as Modern-Day Monks:
    Expand on the idea of brand managers as monastic figures, dedicated to preserving and promoting the "sacred texts" of brand guidelines. Discuss how they might engage in "brand meditation" to deeply understand the essence of the brand.

  2. Brand Values as Religious Doctrine:
    Explore how brand values function similarly to religious commandments, guiding behavior and decision-making within the company and for consumers. Discuss how these values are communicated and reinforced.

  3. Consumer Rituals and Brand Worship:
    Analyze consumer behaviors as forms of devotion or ritual. For example, the annual pilgrimage to Apple stores for new product launches, or the daily "ritual" of posting branded content on social media.

  4. Brand Wars as Religious Schisms:
    Delve deeper into how brand competition mirrors religious conflicts. Explore concepts like brand loyalty as faith, and switching brands as conversion.

  5. The Economy of Belief:
    Expand on how brand value and market share can be seen as measures of collective belief and devotion. Discuss how this "spiritual currency" influences business decisions and consumer behavior.

Suggested Further Reading:

  1. "Brands of Faith: Marketing Religion in a Commercial Age" by Mara Einstein
  2. "The Hero and the Outlaw: Building Extraordinary Brands Through the Power of Archetypes" by Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson
  3. "Buyology: Truth and Lies About Why We Buy" by Martin Lindstrom
  4. "The Sacred and The Profane: The Nature of Religion" by Mircea Eliade
  5. "God Is Dead: Secularization in the West" by Steve Bruce
  6. "Consumer Culture and Postmodernism" by Mike Featherstone
  7. "No Logo" by Naomi Klein
  8. "The McDonaldization of Society" by George Ritzer
  9. "The System of Objects" by Jean Baudrillard
  10. "The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion" by Sir James George Frazer

#post

rate

Does it sound like me?

INPUT[slider(addLabels, minValue(-100), maxValue(100), defaultValue(0), showcase):sounds_like_me]

Does it have energy?

INPUT[slider(addLabels,minValue(-100), maxValue(100), defaultValue(0), showcase):energy]

Is it relevant?

INPUT[slider(addLabels,minValue(-100), maxValue(100), defaultValue(0), showcase):relevant]

follow up

posted: INPUT[toggle:posted]
jackhagley.com INPUT[toggle:on_website]
update all your properties

%%

Educational
(tick box)
Interesting
(tick box)
Entertaining
(tick box)
Inspirational
(tick box)
On-brand