Your brand identity is owned by your consumers. Even though it was
you
who spent years establishing a particular association in their minds, it is in
their
minds.
They
own it now. In other words, you were successful. But now what happens if events change and the identity you have built in their minds suddenly falls out of favor?
Such was the case recently with the giant Vodka brand, Stolichnaya. Produced and bottled in Russia for years, “Stoli” was billed as the quintessential Russian vodka. During the collapse of the Soviet Union, the ownership changed and production was move to the newly freed republic of Latvia. With virtually no publicity about its new home, the producers continued to position the vodka as authentically Russian.
This must have seemed commercially advantageous at the time. It certainly maintained the essential message of brand continuity. It also capitalized on the existing and well-established brand image of Stoli being the “official” and “genuine” Russian vodka. As the cold war was ending, American consumers became curious about all things Russian, and Stoli became very popular. As late as 2006, it was still promoting itself as “The mother of all vodkas from the motherland of vodka.” In 2010, it changed its label to simply read, “Premium Vodka.” But by then its Russian identity was firmly established in the minds of its consumers. Very few, if any, American consumers thought it was anything but Russian. In fact, the name itself means capital in Russian.
Meanwhile, the LGBT movement became mainstream in the United States, and their community made up a significant segment of Stoli customers. Then, the Russians passed a law against what they call “homosexual propaganda,” which includes most outward expressions of “non-traditional” sexual preference. They outlawed “Pride” demonstrations, open solidarity with the international LGBT community, or even the display of the rainbow flag. All this happened on the eve of the Russian-hosted Olympics with implications for American and other international athletes. Is it any wonder that the “sticky” Russian brand identity suddenly worked against Stoli? Calls for boycotts and even dumping of Stolichnaya products immediately erupted from the LGBT community. It was no longer politically correct to drink Stoli.
But Stoli is Latvian, not Russian.
So, can you have it both ways? Russian when it’s popular to be Russian, and Latvian when it’s not? With the recent realization that Stoli was in fact Latvian, not Russian, some boycott advocates have recanted their calls to action as well-meaning but misplaced. Latvia has no love lost with Russia and its policies toward the LGBT, so boycotting Stoli was not going to hurt Russia. But was it too late? Had the damage to the brand image already been done? And how long will it take to reposition the brand identity with its American customers? Is it possible to un-ring that bell?
We have found that customers simply don’t take the time to question or dislodge their long-established perceptions of a brand’s identity. Established perceptions are comfortable and convenient. Most folks are already on to the next trend and simply don’t have the bandwidth to entertain new notions about a brand they have already identified.
So choose carefully when you create your brand identity. Look for classic virtues and positive attributes, and try to steer clear of the changing fortunes of politics. Nastrovia!
Who Are We.
Having built and sold a bestselling national brand, we appreciate the value of brands and everything it takes to make them successful. Companies are valued by their brand equity. Achieving and maximizing brand equity requires tremendous respect for all your customers, from your wholesaler to your end user.
Starting in our laundry room with no money and no knowledge of the industry, we built the famous Barefoot Wine brand. We learned a lot they don’t teach in school and much of it the hard way. Although our success was in consumer products, our real world experience will be helpful to anyone looking for information and advice about brands.
We have written the New York Times Bestselling Business Book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand, which chronicles the history of the famous brand from its inception through its acquisition. Our book is now required reading in schools of entrepreneurship across the country. We hope this book will provide inspiration and encouragement for all those contemplating starting a brand or wanting to improve their existing brand.
Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey
-Barefoot Wine Founders
