The Revival of Vintage Brands
摘要
Brands in general, and vintage brands in particular, may provide reference points and meaning that project a certain sense of protection or at least a sense of stability. A brand that stands for something meaningful provides this meaning in a consistent way and over time, offering something to mentally hold on to, something to rely on. By their history and established brand equity, vintage brands generally offer a rich narrative for consumer connections. This provides the foundation for these brands to reconnect with it target audiences, through a well-planned brand revival process. More than for any other type of brand, the root strength of a vintage brand might provide the relevant insights for its renewal. The equity of a once well-known and powerful brand is almost indestructible and may be revived at any time. Triumph or Royal Enfield motorcycles, Champion Sports Apparel or Adidas’s Stan Smith Tennis shoe, Polaroid, Dr. Martens that went from Punk niche to mainstream or even the German Birkenstock brand. All of them are vintage brands or niche players that have successfully staged their comeback, lastingly reconnecting with their target audiences. This chapter uses several brand cases to illustrate various forms and distinct techniques of brand revival.