Measuring culturally relevant brands, alcohol brands score poorly

Google tops the list followed by Apple, Samsung, IKEA, Microsoft, Sony, BMW, Audi, Coca-Cola and eBay.

The study, compiled by brand development and marketing insight consultancy, Added Value, highlights that the industry might be under more pressure than one thinks and up against some serious challenges to remain culturally relevant in the years ahead.

The brand VIBE score is a composite of four factors, statistically culled from dozens of attributes that reflect cultural relevancy:

Tomorrow's momentum for brands

Commenting on the concept of the study and the score, Added Value South Africa's Dr Inka Crosswaite said measuring and understanding cultural relevance is vital for a brand's success because only culture can tell whether the brand has got it or lost it.

"Brand equity measures brand health today, an important metric for any brand. But Added Value's VIBE provides a third dimension, a view on the strength of the brand's momentum for tomorrow.

"Culture is the currency of all our conversations and it is in a constant state of flux. Great brands know this and invest in marketing to stay ahead of the conversation."

It is one thing to be a culturally vibrant brand in one part of the world; it is another to radiate that vibrancy at high amplitude across the world. This means the brand has not only tapped into global shifts in values and attitudes, but also expressed itself and engaged people in ways that resonate culturally on a local level.

She said that the 2013 study shows that perceptions of the world's biggest liquor brands as disruptive and having momentum (that is, 'Exciting' in VIBE speak) are particularly low. Compare a lowly score of 72 for Smirnoff and Heineken with 103 for McDonald's, BMW and Nike. Look at brands such as Apple and Samsung and one will see scores virtually double the alcohol brands.

Niche brands score better

Why are the alcohol brands scoring so poorly overall and particularly on this key measure of momentum, innovation and progression?

"The first reason is undoubtedly what's going on in its own category. In the last few years, we have seen that category trends are no longer being driven by the big players, but by targeted, niche brands.

"Super-premium on the one hand and craft on the other have witnessed phenomenal growth - in a global context, think The Kemel and Brooklyn Breweries, Chase Vodka and Sipsmith Gin. The mass brands have increasingly come to represent a 'safe' but uninteresting choice.

"But the study highlights an even broader challenge - the decline of alcohol's role and relevance in the world of consumers. Looking at the highest-ranking brands, technology dominates."

Technology is exciting

"Whilst there may be an element of category impact going on here, we think it goes further than that. These brands are doing something for people which is meaningful and engaging, and which gives them a relevant cultural presence. In fact, tech brands appear to have taken-over the emotional space.

"Of course, there are some big alcohol brands that are acting in tune with culture and tapping into the cultural trends that seem to drive a brand's VIBE. Stella Artois' Total Immersion campaign is one example; Absolut Vodka's Accessible Creativity is another; there is also the Johnnie Walker House in Shanghai and Smirnoff's Nightlife Exchange project.

"However, to make a true impact on consumers, the 'Big Booze Boys' need to start thinking bigger. They need to recognise the shifts that are going on around them, not only in their own categories but also in culture more broadly.

"They need to ask themselves the challenging question - do big brands in alcohol work and will they continue to work? They need to recapture the essence of what they can offer and express it in a relevant way. It's time for a refresh," concluded Crosswaite.

Lightspeed Research executed the online study on behalf of Added Value. It polled more than 62,000 respondents in 10 countries during the latter quarter of last year. The full liquor brand case study can be viewed on http://www.culturaltraction.com/case-studies/booze-brands-are-snoozing-and-losing, while the full results can be viewed at www.added-value.com/culturaltraction.