Brands as symbolic resources for the construction of identity

Abstract

The search for self-identity is a key determinant of postmodern consumption so it is essential for marketers to understand the concept and dynamics of self, the symbolic meaning of goods and the role played by brands. Building from the concept of advertising literacy, this paper outlines a model of the dialectical relationship between self-identity and social-identity, the domains of self-symbolism and social-symbolism, and the process of the mediated experience of advertising and the lived experience of products/services. Implications for brand strategy are discussed in relation to trust, deep meaning and the possibilities for mass-market brands to have personal meaning for the individual.