Building Iconic Brands: The Ultimate Guide to Developing Brands that Transform Markets and Inspire Communities takes students behind the scenes to reveal how iconic brands are created by creative teams. Drawing on insights from leading branding professionals, this textbook moves beyond showcasing successful brands to provide a practical, step-by-step guide to building them. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students in branding, marketing, advertising, and creative strategy, the book combines foundational theory with real-world practice through professional templates, case studies, illustrations, and authentic creative challenges.Each chapter explores the research, strategy, and emerging issues shaping contemporary brand management, including AI, digital and social media, the creator economy, sustainability, and community collaboration. Students learn the complete branding process—from brand discovery and positioning to execution, growth, and community building—while developing the strategic thinking and creative skills essential for professional practice.A comprehensive suite of instructor resources—including lecture slides, assignment guides, instructor manuals, and a running case study—supports engaging, practice-based teaching. Building Iconic Brands equips students with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to develop brands that inspire communities, transform markets, and prepare them for careers in today's rapidly evolving branding industry.
AnneMarie Dorland is an award-winning Brand Strategist and an Associate Professor in the Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University, where she teaches marketing, brand development and creative strategy.
Chapter 1 Building an Iconic Brand Chapter 2 Client Discovery: Before the Idea Chapter 3 Creative Discovery: Listening for the Three Truths Chapter 4 Defining The Brand's Foundations: Strategy, Identity, and Purpose Chapter 5 Developing and Designing: Working with the Teams that Make Brands Real Chapter 6 Deploying The Brand: Working With Communities in Immersive and Online Spaces Chapter 7 Determining Success: Analyzing Brand Health and Impact Chapter 8 Brands That Believe: Activism, Purpose, and the Future of Iconic Branding