Branding feels like a very modern business idea. But humans have been using symbols to communicate who we are, what we believe and where we belong for thousands of years.
This “Big Think” (great channel!) video condenses 10,000 years of branding into just six minutes, from ancient symbols to the brands and movements that shape how we see ourselves today.
Which raises a few questions.
- Is branding really about products and logos, or is it more about identity, belonging and what we want other people to think about us?
- When a company takes a public stand on social or cultural issues, is that authentic belief, smart branding, or simply what consumers now expect?
- And how much power do we really have as consumers? Can the things we choose to buy genuinely influence what companies stand for and how they behave?
So. Many. Questions!
For our Watch & Talk sessions, this video is a great starting point for discussion around branding, identity, consumer behaviour, corporate values, cultural change and the relationship between businesses and society.
Watch the video here (but it’s always more interesting to talk about it 😉):
