Brand expert - Advertising and Brand Sociologist
Brands, advertising and consumption … There are few things that influence modern life as profoundly as logos, commercials and digital banner advertising. While many people condemn “brand name wars” and the almost occult ability of certain brands to psychologically seduce us, we also define ourselves—and, crucially, how we want to be seen—through brands by opting for certain brands while explicitly rejecting others. This is because people instinctively understand the message behind well-executed brands (sometimes the world over) within fractions of a second.
Brands exist both across time and cross-culturally.
Brands are a cultural phenomenon and a psychological means of self-definition. Yet their far-reaching assertiveness only becomes apparent when we consider the enduring needs, desires and hopes of consumers.
As "the brand professor" and "consumer philosopher" I express myself in ARD and ZDF magazines (e.g. Markencheck, Plusminus) as well as on NDR (e.g. MARKT) or on WDR, SWR, MDR. You can also hear me regularly on Deutschlandfunk and NDR Kultur.
I studied socio-economics and brand sociology at the University of Hamburg and psychology at the Université Lyon. After my studies I worked for many years for the Institute for Brand Technology in Geneva in the field of brand management and brand strategy for global companies. This was followed by a short period in the protocol of the Bundestag in Berlin. Still impressed by the power of the brand and its socio-economic dynamics, hitherto largely unknown in Europe, I was finally drawn back into business.
I worked in advertising agencies and companies as a strategist and as a marketing manager. In 2006, I founded the research and consulting company Büro für Markenentwicklung in Hamburg. At the same time, I manage the innovation lab of Deutsche Seereederei.
In 2018, I was appointed to the world's first professorship for brand sociology by Mittweida University of Applied Sciences. I also teach at the University of Hamburg, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and EMBA Hamburg. Guest lectures have taken me to England, Austria, Italy, Singapore and Indonesia.
As a (by others) called "brand expert", I analyse the success strategies and implementation models of ambitious start-up companies up to traditional multinational corporations - as a scientist, marketing manager and brand consultant in day-to-day business. Clear credo: Nothing is as practical as a good theory! In the last 20 years, many companies and organisations have had to supposedly "reinvent" themselves. However, only those players were able to survive in the highly competitive markets who adapted their "genetic code" to the requirements of speedy markets in a self-similar way and - despite all the necessary changes - remained "true" to themselves in their core. As the "living room of the soul", brands are also constantly anchored positive prejudices that people have regarding the products and services of a company or organisation.
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English Publication
In recent years, I have written books on brand management, brand sociology and consumer philosophy.
All in all, I have written 17 books to date — many of them together with Dr. Arnd Zschiesche.
My work is published regularly in newspapers, magazines and blogs ranging from left-wing to conservative, including columns as well as comments that critically—at times furiously—reflect on contemporary forms of consumption and corporate management and encourage people to think deeply and to think ahead.
From breakfast cereals to smartphones, nothing is left unbranded: brands are with us every step of the way. We define ourselves through the brands we surround ourselves with. Even if we reject brands, that’s a brand statement. Brands are everywhere in the 21st century – that’s exactly why we all have an opinion on them. When it comes to private life, there is little objection to this concept. However, when it comes to brand management and brand positioning with - in a company, personal sensitivities and feelings are out of plac
Too many opinions, too little wisdom: In 50 timeless answers, brand sociologists Dr. Arnd Zschiesche and Prof. Dr. Oliver Errichiello put a stop to the brand debates that are shaped by the zeitgeist. They speak in plain language where vague chatter typically prevails. And they show why every brand is a social phenomenon that has an impact: It’s about the management of social “hard facts.” Not just in Europe. Classic European Brand Management leads the way for every company seriously focusing on economic success for the long term – internally, as well. It’s time for timeless, value-oriented Branding from the old continent.
