Brand Sense

Lessons Learned - Takeaways
"Brand Sense: Sensory Secrets Behind the Stuff We Buy" by Martin Lindstrom offers valuable insights into the world of sensory branding. Here are some key lessons from the book:
- Importance of Sensory Branding: One of the primary lessons from the book is the importance of engaging all five senses in your branding strategy. Brands that successfully stimulate multiple senses can create stronger and more memorable connections with their customers.
- Balance between Senses: Not all senses should be given equal importance for all brands. The distribution of focus among senses should be balanced based on the product or service you are offering, and the brand message you want to convey.
- Consistency across Channels: Brands must ensure that they present a consistent sensory experience across all customer touchpoints. Consistency helps to reinforce brand identity and deepen customer relationships.
- Emotional Connection: Lindstrom emphasizes that sensory branding is not just about stimulating the senses but also about evoking specific emotions and creating an emotional connection with customers. This can greatly influence consumer behavior and drive brand loyalty.
- Brand Differentiation: Utilizing a multi-sensory branding strategy can help brands to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. It can provide a unique selling point that distinguishes a brand from its competitors.
- Future-Proofing Your Brand: Embracing new technologies can enhance the sensory experience of a brand and ensure it remains relevant as consumer behavior and technology evolve.
- Ethical Considerations: There are ethical implications of using sensory branding to manipulate consumer behavior. Brands must therefore consider the potential ethical issues when developing their sensory branding strategies.
In essence, "Brand Sense" underscores the necessity for brands to pay attention to sensory branding and to develop a holistic approach to creating a brand experience that goes beyond just visual communication. It’s a call to action for brands to think more deeply about how they can engage customers through multiple senses.
"Brand Sense" by Martin Lindstrom contains a plethora of examples from a wide range of industries demonstrating the principles of sensory branding. Here are some of the notable examples as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. For a comprehensive list, I'd recommend referring directly to the book.
- Singapore Airlines: The airline is known for its signature scent, 'Stefan Floridian Waters', which is used in their hot towels and sprayed in the cabin. It's a perfect example of smell branding.
- Apple: The packaging of Apple's products and the design of its stores provide a tactile experience that aligns with the company's emphasis on sleek, minimalist design.
- Starbucks: This coffeehouse chain uses a multi-sensory approach. The smell of coffee, the sound of milk being frothed, the visuals in-store, the taste of the coffee, and the feel of their signature cups all contribute to the Starbucks brand experience.
- M&M’s: The sound of M&M’s shaking in the packaging is used as a sound branding element in their commercials, forming a recognizable connection to the brand.
- Coca-Cola: The unique shape of Coca-Cola bottles offers a distinct tactile experience. Additionally, the sound of a Coca-Cola bottle opening and the fizzing noise contribute to sound branding.
- Lush Cosmetics: Lush stores are known for their distinct, overpowering scent, which can often be recognized from outside the store. This is a strategic choice to engage customers' sense of smell.
- Burberry: The British luxury fashion brand employs sound and visuals in their ads to convey a sense of British heritage and elegance, thus appealing to the auditory and visual senses.
- Nike: The NikeTown stores use the sound of bouncing balls, shoes squeaking on the hardwood floors, and cheers from virtual spectators to mimic the atmosphere of a basketball game.
Description
Book Synopsis
10-02-2022
"Brand Sense: Sensory Secrets Behind the Stuff We Buy" is another book by Martin Lindstrom that delves into the world of sensory branding. The book is based on a global study conducted by Lindstrom, examining how our five senses influence our purchasing decisions. Here's a brief overview:
- Sensory Branding: Lindstrom emphasizes the importance of engaging all five senses - sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell - in creating a brand identity and experience. He argues that most companies focus primarily on visual branding (sight), while the other four senses often get overlooked. Yet, these other senses can significantly contribute to a powerful and memorable brand.
- Emotional Connection: The book discusses how sensory branding can evoke specific emotions and create deep connections with consumers. This emotional connection can influence consumer behavior and drive loyalty, often subconsciously.
- Multisensory Experience: Lindstrom argues that a consistent multisensory experience across all touchpoints can significantly enhance brand impact. He provides a framework called "SMASH YOUR BRAND" to help brands assess and develop their sensory footprints.
- Real-World Examples and Case Studies: The book is packed with examples and case studies that demonstrate the power of sensory branding. Lindstrom explores some of the world's most successful brands and how they utilize sensory branding strategies effectively.
- Future of Marketing: "Brand Sense" also explores the future of marketing and how new technologies can be used to enhance the sensory experience. For example, he discusses how digital technologies and virtual reality could potentially stimulate sensory experiences for consumers.
In essence, "Brand Sense" is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing sensory branding. It provides a fresh perspective on branding and encourages businesses to think beyond the conventional to create a more holistic and immersive brand experience.