The job is done and the brand manager is happy. The rebrand has been successfully completed and the brand is launched. It is conceivable that on this festive milestone brand consistency has no priority. On the other hand, this is precisely the ideal moment to start managing the brand. A few weeks after the introduction of the new visual identity you start to see it happening. The PDF with the brand guidelines will be circulated and both internal and external parties will enthusiastically get to work with the source files. Gone is the overview, the control you thought you had, and your precious brand disperses before your eyes.
Would you like to know how to set up a successful brand technology ecosystem in 6 steps?
More than online corporate identity guidelines
We recommend to select a brand portal and start with brand management while preparing for rebranding. It’s better for your brand and keeps the brand manager satisfied. But what is a brand portal exactly and what do you use it for? A brand portal is much more than an online corporate identity guide. It is an online platform to optimally inform, facilitate and inspire the internal and external users of the brand. By developing a brand portal you avoid fragmentation and you can maintain, increase and prolong the interest that is there for the brand.
What is a brand portal?
In a brand portal, all current corporate identity and brand guidelines, source files of digital assets, brand building blocks and designs of brand carriers come together. Visually and in writing, completed with examples and background information. A brand portal can also facilitate users in an advanced manner with the application of the brand guidelines, for example, by automatically formatting business cards and posters in accordance with the corporate identity guidelines. An active Brand Portal functions as a community where brand users share and inspire each other. Through an automated approval process the brand manager can see if everything is according to the guidelines and has the right brand experience.
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The Ultimate Brand and Marketing Technology Guide
Find out more about the six steps to set up a successful brand technology ecosystem — from business case and vendor selection to implementation and management.
Content strategy is essential
It is important to formulate a content strategy in which you determine how this great range of information can be transmitted in the best possible manner. Please pay attention to the type of visitor, learning behavior of people and the type of information you want to convey in your brand portal. A designer of an external agency can probably use the specifications of an ad but a marketing manager who then has to evaluate the branded item on the correct use of the brand style cannot. The various target groups should be able to understand and apply the information in the brand portal. There is a difference between need-to-know and nice-to-know information. Need-to-know information is essential information that should be readily available to all users and the nice-to-know information may be more tucked away. Specifications and source files for example, are useful for designers, but not relevant for everyone. This example could be given a permanent place in a submenu so that the designers find it quickly. In short, make for an inviting navigation in your brand portal. For example, set yourself the goal that every visitor should be able to find what he needs within three clicks. The search function on a brand portal is an immense advantage over a static corporate identity manual in PDF.
Recognize the added value of a brand portal
Prevention is better than dispersing, that is the message of this plea. It seems obvious, but often the added value of a brand portal is underestimated and a corporate identity guide in PDF format seems sufficient. The brand portal is the means to improve the consistency, familiarity and visual look of your brand. A brand portal usually requires a higher investment than a static corporate identity guide, but gives you the ability to share guidelines with different audiences easily, saves you time when distributing the visual identity guide and source files and gives you control over versioning guidelines and source files. In other words, the efficiency quickly delivers unparalleled cost savings and time savings. Making your brand only stronger.