This fascinating book shows that neither managers nor consumers completely control branding processes a " cultural codes constrain how brands work to produce meaning. Placing brands firmly within the context of culture, it investigates these complex foundations. Topics covered include:

• the role of consumption
• brand management
• corporate branding
• branding ethics
• the role of advertising.

This excellent text includes case studies of iconic international brands such as LEGO, Nokia and Ryanair, and analysis by leading researchers including John M.T. Balmer, Stephen Brown, Mary Jo Hatch, Jean-NoAl Kapferer, Majken Schultz, and Richard Elliott. An outstanding collection, it will be a useful resource for all students and scholars interested in brands, consumers and the broader cultural landscape that surrounds them.

Jonathan E. Schroeder is Professor of Marketing at the University of Exeter, UK, and Visiting Professor in Marketing Semiotics at Bocconi University, Milan. His research focuses on the production and consumption of images.

Miriam Salzer-Mörling is Associate Professor at the School of Business, Stockholm University. As a branding consultant she has specialized in the development of the 'corporate soul' and communicative strategies for both public and commercial organizations.

Part 1: Corporate Perspectives on Brand Culture 1. Corporate Branding as Strategy: The Case of LEGO Company 2. Corporate Brand Cultures and Communities 3. Ambi-Brand Culture: On a Wing and a Swear with Ryanair 4. The Two Business Cultures of Luxury Brands 5. Managing Leader and Partner Brands: The Brand Association Base Part 2: Clarifying Brand Concepts 6. Brands as a Global Ideoscape 7. Brave New Brands: Cultural Branding between Utopia and A-topia 8. Rethinking Identity in Brand Management 9. Design Management and Branding Management: A Nice Couple or False Friends? Part 3: Consuming Brand Culture 10. Symbolic Brands and Authenticity of Identity Performance 11. Branding Ethics: Negotiating Benetton's Identity and Image 12. Brand Ecosystems: Multilevel Brand Interaction 13. Selling Dreams: The Role of Advertising in Shaping Luxury Brands Meaning