Every day each of us experiences the marketing power and influence of a widely-recognized brand name. When we use Coke as a synonym for cola products, or Kleenex to mean tissue, we reinforce the power of these brands. It is no surprise, then, that companies with established brand names protect and nurture them, and that companies without brand names continuously strive to build them. Many have theorized about the most effective way to establish a popular brand. Seldom, however, have the owners of the world's leading brands given their views on the subject. In this volume, successful brand owners reveal their own views on the power and importance of brand names.

Senior executives from major international companies such as Coca-Cola, Nestle, Guinness, and Mercedes-Benz get at the heart of what it takes to create, manage, and protect brand names. Coming from a variety of perspectives, the sum of the contributions offers a blueprint for the aspiring brand owner. Further analysis from academics, management consultants and marketing experts rounds out this comprehensive study.

An increasing number of the world's companies have come to recognise that their brands are of enormous value and that failure to maintain and support these important assets can lead to the failure of the company itself. Many in the world of marketing have commented on the power of individual brands and the value that they have in contributing to the financial well-being of a company. Seldom however have the owners of the world's leading brands been invited to give their views. This book gives brand owners the opportunity to put forward their own views on the power and importance of brands. Contributions from senior executives at Coca-Cola, Guinness, Nestle, Grand Metropolitan, Mercedes, BSN, Benetton, Tesco, Maruha and Mars cover subjects such as the importance of brand power and how to create, manage and value brand power and important contributions from academics, management consultants and marketing experts are also included.