Publications

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September–October 2023
Article

Building Brand Engagement: Lessons from NFTs and Collectibles

By: Frank V. Cespedes and Ben Plomion

The financial hype about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has cooled considerably since trading in that market went from more than $780 million on May 1, 2022 to less than $295 million for the entire month of May, 2023. But brands launch marketing campaigns in this medium,... View Details

Keywords: Opportunities; Digital Strategy; Brands and Branding; Marketing Strategy

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Web

Creating Brand Value - Course Catalog

optimal way to manage investments behind brands for the short- and long-term? What are the opportunities and challenges associated with geographic, target market, product line, and brand extensions? How can... View Details

15 Dec 2008
Research & Ideas

The Surprisingly Successful Marriages of Multinationals and Social Brands

systems and capabilities that are needed for going to and operating at scale that would take the social icon years to build. So structured correctly, an acquisition strategy can effectively marry the brand... View Details

Keywords: by Sarah Jane Gilbert; Consumer Products; Food & Beverage

May 2019
Case

Whiskey and Cheddar: Ingredient Branding at the Caesan Cheese Cooperative (Brief Case)

By: John A. Quelch and Katherine B. Hartman

The Caesan Cheese Cooperative is considering introducing a new high-quality, high-margin artisan whiskey cheddar cheese. Deidra Kelly, vice president of marketing and product development at Caesan, must recommend to the Board of Directors whether to launch the product... View Details

Keywords: Brands and Branding; Product Development; Management; Product Marketing; Product Positioning; Marketing Strategy; Partners and Partnerships; Food and Beverage Industry

September 2008 (Revised July 2012)
Case

Khosla Ventures: Biofuels Strategy

By: Joseph B. Lassiter III, William A. Sahlman and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld

By 2008, a number of the firm's early cleantech investments were showing promise, and the companies were starting to need significantly more money to create the massive scale required in the energy sector. As Khosla thought about the hundreds of millions of dollars... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Marketing; Entrepreneurial Finance; New Product Development; Partnerships; Entrepreneurial Management; Venture Capital; Strategy; Partners and Partnerships; Renewable Energy; Entrepreneurship; Investment Funds; Environmental Sustainability; Product Development; Biotechnology Industry; Financial Services Industry

24 Jun 2002
Research & Ideas

Building ’Brandtopias’—How Top Brands Tap into Society

when disruptions hit. The most impressive brands are those that are able to use disruptions as a platform to enhance the delivery of cultural value." To analyze the pattern of cultural demand and the View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

August 1988 (Revised December 2000)
Case

Dunkin' Donuts (E): 1988 Distribution Strategies

Dunkin' Donuts is exploring various methods of increasing distribution. Possibilities involving new outlets include area development contracts, subfranchising, regional rollout strategies, and an increase in company owned stores. Possibilities focusing on existing... View Details

Keywords: Expansion; Franchise Ownership; Distribution Channels; Retail Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

01 Mar 2004
News

Protecting against the Erosion of Brand Value

Noble’s foray into publishing cause brand-name publishers heartburn? “Through the lenses of our theories of strategy and innovation, the answer is — emphatically — yes,” write HBS professor Clayton M. Christensen and Innosight partner... View Details

Keywords: Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

May 1994
Case

Laura Ashley (C): Rebuilding and Transforming a Global Brand

By: Richard L. Nolan

Over the course of two years a CEO executes a business transformation strategy and key decisions. View Details

Keywords: Transition; Decisions; Performance Consistency; Performance Improvement; Business Strategy

2017
White Paper

Illuminating the Path Forward: Breaking Free from the 60/40 Portfolio

By: Ross Stevens, Joshua Zwick and Randolph B. Cohen

Keywords: Investment Portfolio; Adoption; Financial Instruments

January 2008 (Revised December 2011)
Case

Inner Mongolia Yili Group: China's Pioneering Dairy Brand

By: Regina M. Abrami, William C. Kirby, F. Warren McFarlan and Tracy Yuen Manty

Setting up the goal to become one of the top 20 enterprises in the world dairy industry by 2010, the Inner Mongolia Yili Group had ambitious plans. As one of China's biggest national dairy companies, its main challenge was competing as a local company against... View Details

Keywords: Global Strategy; Globalized Markets and Industries; Growth and Development Strategy; Brands and Branding; Competition; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; China

2014
Working Paper

The Nobel Prize: A 'Heritage-based' Brand-oriented Network

By: Mats Urde and Stephen A. Greyser

Purpose — Understanding the Nobel Prize as a 'true' heritage brand in a networked situation and its management challenges, especially regarding identity and reputation.

Methodology — The Nobel Prize serves as an in-depth case study and is analysed within... View Details

Keywords: Nobel Prize; Heritage Brand; Brand Network; Networked Brand; Brand Within A Network; Brand Orientation; Brand Stewardship; Corporate Brand Identity; Reputation; Networks; Organizations; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Brands and Branding

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March 2011
Module Note

Strategic Marketing in Creative Industries: Managing Products and Product Portfolios

By: Anita Elberse

Keywords: Marketing Strategy; Product Marketing

Program

Aligning Strategy and Sales

companies with go-to-market and business development efforts, as well as leaders of those portfolio companies Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact. Because the process of... View Details

11 Aug 2008
Research & Ideas

Strategy Execution and the Balanced Scorecard

Companies often manage strategy in fits and starts. Though executives may formulate an excellent strategy, it easily fades from memory as the organization tackles day-to-day operations issues, doing what HBS professor Robert S. Kaplan... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

30 Jan 2006
HBS Case

The Case of the Mystery Writer’s Brand

"Something hits as a success and dominates the market," Deighton comments. "It's similar to what has happened in other industries such as movies, television, and sports." Deighton examines three classic ages of marketing by contrasting the View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Entertainment & Recreation; Information; Publishing

2023
Book

The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card

By: Christina Wallace

Pouring yourself into a single full-time job is the riskiest move you can make. Your parents’ advice to focus on one career path? It doesn’t work anymore, for reasons ranging from recessions to student loan debt, the gig economy, climate disasters, and a global... View Details

Keywords: Work-Life Balance; Personal Development and Career