Building a Human Brand: Brand Anthropomorphism Unravelled

Author(s)

Michael T. Bendixen, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Russell Abratt, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Sivan Portal

ORCID

Michael T. Bendixen0000-0003-0010-3854

Rusell Abratt0000-0002-5385-0936

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Business Horizons

ISSN

0007-6813

Publication Date

2018

Abstract/Excerpt

Brand anthropomorphism has been found to enhance the ability of consumers to recognize the inherent value of brands. However, there is limited knowledge among practitioners on how to build a brand with humanlike characteristics. After a literature review of brand anthropomorphism in general and the theory of warmth and competence in particular, we present the Human Brand Model of how to build a brand that is perceived to be human. There are four steps in this process; the first three indicate the brand inputs and the last indicates the results of those inputs. This model guides brand managers on how to make their brand more human. The use of this model should result in the organization having an excellent brand reputation; stronger, more meaningful relationships with its customers; and improved brand loyalty.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2018.01.003

Volume

61

Issue

3

NSUWorks Citation

Bendixen, Michael T.; Abratt, Russell; and Portal, Sivan, "Building a Human Brand: Brand Anthropomorphism Unravelled" (2018). HCBE Faculty Articles. 721.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcbe_facarticles/721