Cultural Movements and Brand Fandom: The New Dynamics of Consumer Engagement

As trends shift, economies fluctuate, and preferences change, the relationship between customers and brands is in constant flux, and with a staggering 83% of consumers admitting that they pay as much attention to how brands interact with them as they do to the products they sell, it’s clear that today – brands mean more to customers than mere business (Forbes, 2019). 

Today, successful brands are a part of our collective culture. They’re conversation starters. They go viral. They trend. They’re newsworthy. They’re culturally relevant, and most of all – they’re supported, celebrated and upheld by a loyal base of diehard fans. 

It’s becoming increasingly crucial for brands to actively engage in cultural dialogue. Today, consumers don’t just see brands as sellers of products; they see them as reflections of their values, and if they don’t perceive a brand as trustworthy or representative of their principles, they’re quick to disengage. 

The truth is: brands that lead discussions, make waves on social media, and remain relevant tend to attract more customers and earn that top of mind spot. It’s no secret that having a loyal fan base helps ensure the longevity and success of any brand, but today, fandoms are more important than ever. What exactly is a brand fandom you ask? Hold that thought. 

Brand Fandom: What is it?

Essentially, brand fandom is a deep emotional connection between a business and its target audience. It’s built on unity, shared passions and community, striking a chord with consumers who actively contribute to – and perpetuate – the brand’s culture.

Just look at two brands at opposite ends of the market – Greggs and Nike – and the intense emotions, loyalty, and enthusiasm they evoke. That’s what brand fandom is all about. These are two brands that we all know, that are relevant, and make an impact on the culture they’re participating in. They work hard to understand the habits and values they want to influence, and they work even harder to cultivate loyal fan bases who want to be involved in every moment along the way. 

You can easily spot this devotion in industries like sports and gaming, where personalised and interactive content drives engagement and brand ownership. The truth is, fans love being an integral part of what they adore, and brands that allow their customers to actively engage with their passions have a winning formula. 

Consider Visa’s innovation during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where they created an LED football pitch in the stadium for fans to step on and design an NFT with their feet, revolutionising how these fans experienced and interacted with the brand through technology. 

But it’s not just limited to sports; it’s also blossoming in unconventional areas where developing cult-like followings is less common. Brands like Greggs, for instance, are skillfully embracing the humour and tastes of younger generations, nurturing a dedicated fanbase that enthusiastically shares their journey, all while establishing a unique market position for themselves.

In today’s competitive landscape, successful brands thrive by connecting with the vibrant cultural currents surrounding them – be it in entertainment, fashion, sports, news, or across social media platforms. The true victors are those that authentically embed themselves in subcultures rather than simply hitching a ride on their momentum. 

Embracing Fandom: Building Bridges with Your Audience

Fandom is a powerful tool for building connections, and brands that successfully leverage this trend enhance their appeal, forge deeper relationships, and establish themselves as industry frontrunners. 

This trend offers brands fresh opportunities to engage with their audiences, delve into their social world, and gain insights into other brands and social issues that mean something to them. 

By deeply understanding their target audience – particularly the younger generation – brands can nurture collaborations that strengthen their connection and demonstrate their closeness to their audience’s world. Ultimately, when a brand aligns itself with a specific community’s core beliefs, it solidifies its relationship within that community, fostering stronger bonds and a more influential presence.

Beyond Logos: The Evolution of Brand Collaborations and Licensing

Brand fandoms are something that can be harnessed, borrowed and licenced by other brands to catapult them into new markets and, most importantly, bolster their relevance.

Essentially, brand licensing allows well-established brands to leverage the credibility, familiarity and popularity of another renowned brand for fresh business endeavours. When implemented successfully, this partnership is a superb tactic for brand proprietors to boost earnings, and amplify their presence.

Brand licensing isn’t confined to specific sectors; it’s a playground for creativity, resulting in innovative partnerships and new product lines. As a result, consumer expectations, especially among younger demographics, are evolving. Using another brand’s logo on T-shirts doesn’t quite cut it anymore, and instead, customers are after collaborations that are immersive, engaging, playful and unique.

Just consider how McDonalds collaborated with rapper Travis Scott, selling Scott’s favourite order as the ‘Travis Scott Meal.’ Unexpected and excitingly different, the partnership was so popular, it led to a shortage of ingredients at many restaurants. Or, consider how the Van Gogh Museum teamed up with Pokémon for a collection of post-impressionist paintings of the famed Japanese ‘pocket monsters.’ 

There really is no limit to the power of brand licensing and collaborations, but as with most things, the secret lies in finding the right licensing agreement: partnering with the right business, in the right way, to sell the right products, to the right audiences. 

The crux lies in understanding your audience – deeply. What brands do they adore, and which potential partnerships would captivate them? If expanding your reach to a new demographic is the goal, consider what would make your brand attractive to this fresh audience. Before diving into experiments, it’s essential to discern which collaborations will truly elevate your brand and which might not yield the desired results.

Creating audience personas allows for a clear snapshot of your audience’s preferences, aspirations, emotions, and perspectives. By consolidating all this information into customer personas, you gain a comprehensive view that sharpens your focus on marketing and licensing opportunities aligned with your audience’s needs. 

Ultimately, leveraging audience insights through persona development empowers you to pinpoint the most effective marketing and licensing strategies that cater specifically to your audience.

Looking to Transform Fandom into Powerful Partnerships?

Brand fandom goes brand loyalty. It’s stronger, it’s more flexible, it’s more meaningful and today, it’s crucial for making a splash. 

Whether you’re looking to generate a loyal fanbase or looking to harness the power of an existing one through a licensing agreement, we’re here to help. 

We’re well-versed in all things licensing, collaborating closely with brand owners and licensors to craft pioneering experiences that captivate, motivate, and boost revenue. Drop us a line to discuss how we can help.