The Brand Gym

This refreshingly simple, practical guide demonstrates how brand management can boost business performance. It is the ideal inspiration for creating growth in today's tough economic times. Following the template of the highly successful original version, the book consists of a programme of 8 "e;workouts"e; that will help marketers raise their own game in key areas such as: insight, portfolio strategy, positioning and innovation. The tools and techniques in the book have been road-tested on over 100 brandgym projects out of the last 8 years, making this book extremely practical. Based on the inside stories of brand leaders who have achieved success: Tesco, T-Mobile, Unilever and Proctor and Gamble. These companies share their tips, tricks and warn of the traps to avoid. 50% of the content is new or updated with the latest thinking on "e;recession proof branding"e;, how to win when times are tough, communication briefing, growing the core business and new research with marketing directors on the key success factors of brand leaders. The authors are most influential, appearing in The Guardian, Marketing, Brand Strategy, Market Leader and The Marketer. The CIM have called David Taylor one of the "e;World's 50 most important marketing thinkers"e;.

This refreshingly simple, practical guide demonstrates howbrand management can boost business performance. It is the idealinspiration for creating growth in today's tough economic times.Following the template of the highly successful original versionthe book consists of a programme of 8 "workouts" that will helpmarketers raise their own game in key areas such as: insightportfolio strategy, positioning and innovation. The tools andtechniques in the book have been road-tested on over 100 brandgymprojects out of the last 8 years, making this book extremelypractical.* Based on the inside stories of brand leaders who have achievedsuccess: Tesco, T-Mobile, Unilever and Proctor and Gamble. Thesecompanies share their tips, tricks and warn of the traps toavoid.* 50% of the content is new or updated with the latest thinkingon "recession proof branding", how to win when times are toughcommunication briefing, growing the core business and new researchwith marketing directors on the key success factors of brandleaders.* The authors are most influential, appearing in The GuardianMarketing, Brand Strategy, Market Leader and TheMarketer. The CIM have called David Taylor one of the"World's 50 most important marketing thinkers".

What's new in Brandgym 2?Overview to The Brandgym Workouts.Acknowledgments.Introduction: Being a leader.Being a leader is better - Hollywood gum.Leader Brands need brand leaders.Brand-led business.Staying in shape.Inside Tesco.1. Workout One: Follow the money.Why branding still has a bad name.Follow the money.Business model vs. brand equity - Axe shaving and Special K bars.Follow the money brief - Cointreau.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.2. Workout Two: Use insight as fuel.Beyond findings to insights - Mucinex.Don't understand the consumer. Be the consumer - Nike.360 insight.Competition - Magnum.Culture: looking at the bigger picture - Castrol.Consumer: digging deeper to understand more - Harley Davidson.Company: look within.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.3. Workout Three: Focus, focus, focus.Focus is good.The Danone story.Different brand portfolio models - Gillette.So, how many brands do you need? - Santander.How many brands can you feed?Setting the right strategy - Cadbury Dairy Milk.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.4. Workout Four: Build big brand ideas.The power of vision.Beyond box filling to big ideas.Insight fuel - Pampers.What are you going to fight for? - T-Mobile.Sausage and sizzle - Richmond sausages.The story of your brand - Pampers.Test drive the vision.Time to sign up.Make it real.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.5. Workout Five: Grow the core.The heart of a healthy brand.Snow White and the 17 Dwarves - Frito Lay.Two ways to make a million (or five) - Heinz soup.Core growth requires more creativity, not less.Remember and refresh - James Bond.Renovation waves.'SMS' (sell more stuff) - The Geek Squad.Upgrade the core.The power of packaging - innocent smoothies.Core range extension - Ryvita.Re-inventing the core - Warner Music.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.6. Workout Six: Stretch your brand muscles.Building business, building brands - Gillette.Why one in two innovations fail.Why funnels don't work.Rocketing - a new innovation paradigm.Destination - Powerade.Combustion.Nozzle.Expander - Post-its.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.7. Workout Seven: Amplify your marketing plan.Brand chapters - Jordans Big Buzz.Harnessing online media - T-Mobile Dance.Product as hero - Dove.Be brave, break codes - Cats like Felix.Tighter briefs are better - NSPCC.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.8. Workout Eight: Rally the troops.People power.Beyond brandwashing - RSA Insurance.Step 1: Products people are proud of - Apple iPhone.Step 2: Hire the right people and treat them right - Pret a Manager.Step 3: Lead by example - innocent smoothies.Step 4: Sell the cake not the recipe - Hellmann's.The five-month itch.Key takeouts.3-part action plan.Handover.References.Index.