Global Branding with Brand Gender and Brand Equity

This chapter demonstrates the brand-gender–brand-equity approach in a global setting through studies in 10 countries across four continents. It follows Aaker and Joachimsthaler’s (Harvard Business Review 137–144, 1999) suggestion that global firms assess brand equity by assessing brand personality. The rationale behind the implementation of brand gender is the universality of gender perceptions. Psychologists sometimes assume that all cultures perceive gender similarly. The duality of femininity and masculinity extends beyond the dichotomy of a male or female sex and is also found between fathers and mothers, who are characterized by protection and care (Hofstede in Culture’s Consequences—International Differences in Work Related Values. Newbury Park, London, 1980). Surveys were conducted in the Americas (Brazil and the U.S.), Asia (China, India, and Japan), Australia, and Europe (France, Germany, Russia, and Sweden) to produce a sample of countries constituting more than 50% of the global population. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the model was valid and reliable in all countries. Gender and equity scores differed widely due to culturally dependent response styles; however, when the data were mean-centered, the results showed that brand genders were perceived similarly—not in absolute terms, but relatively—for 20 famous brands across all countries. Cosmetics brands, such as Dove, Nivea, Olay, L’Oreal, and Maybelline, were perceived as somewhat feminine, while Google, Nike, and Coca-Cola were perceived as somewhat masculine (cross-cultural androgyny is discussed in Chap. 4). Though brand equities showed some variation, Apple, Disney, and Google were among the stronger brands worldwide, with high equity rankings in nearly all countries. By contrast, American Express and Hilton, both service brands, had lower equities and ranked lower in many countries.