From Stagnant to Success: A Look at Brands That Reinvented Themselves

Posted by Carolyn Crafts
From Stagnant to Success: Brand Reinventions

In today's ever-changing market, it's imperative for businesses to keep up with evolving consumer demands and preferences. That's where brand repositioning comes into play. By understanding the needs and desires of their target audience, companies can revamp their brand image and messaging to stay relevant and competitive.

Successful brand repositioning efforts can transform a stagnant brand into a thriving one, but it requires careful planning and execution. In this article, we'll look at some brands that have recently reinvented themselves.

What is Brand Repositioning?

Brand repositioning refers to the strategic process of changing a brand's perception in its target audience's minds. This often involves altering the brand's messaging, image, or target market to stay relevant and competitive in a fast-paced market. It is not just a simple logo change or a new advertising campaign, but a comprehensive effort to reshape the brand's identity. 

Brand repositioning can be a game-changer for companies, but it is not a quick and easy fix or a guaranteed formula for success, but rather a calculated risk that can pay off if done right.

That said, a few companies have successfully repositioned themselves recently.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell, the fast-food giant, recently repositioned itself with the tagline "Live Mas." The move aimed to appeal to a younger demographic and position the brand as more than just a place to grab a quick and cheap meal. The new slogan, which translates to "Live more" in English, conveys a sense of adventure and excitement, encouraging customers to try new menu items and explore the world around them. 

The repositioning also included a revamped menu, with new breakfast items being the latest addition to its offering. The fast-food chain has introduced a range of breakfast burritos, bowls, and sandwiches, all featuring its signature bold flavors and affordable prices. While it remains to be seen if the brand repositioning will pay off in the long run, Taco Bell's efforts demonstrate the importance of understanding and adapting to the evolving consumer demands of a younger demographic.

Gucci

Under the leadership of creative director Alessandro Michele, Gucci's brand repositioning efforts have been nothing short of impressive. The once-stodgy fashion house's new focus on making itself more appealing to young consumers is evident in its refreshed logo and Instagram-friendly products. Gucci has also made a conscious effort to communicate its progressive stance on social issues such as gender and sexuality. This has helped the brand connect with a younger demographic and stay relevant in a fast-paced market. 

Gucci's success is a testament to the importance of understanding and adapting to evolving consumer demands and preferences. As the market continues to change, it's crucial for businesses to consider brand repositioning as a strategic tool to stay competitive.

New Balance

One brand that has successfully shed its "dad shoe" reputation through repositioning is New Balance. The brand, known for its comfortable and practical sneakers, was often associated with an older demographic and lacked a strong presence among younger consumers. However, New Balance's efforts to revamp its image paid off.

The brand collaborated with trendy designers and influencers to create limited-edition sneakers that were both stylish and comfortable. It also launched a new marketing campaign highlighting its sneakers' versatility and fashion-forward appeal. These efforts have helped New Balance appeal to a wider range of consumers and position itself as a brand offering comfort and style. According to the online marketplace, StockX, the brand's repositioning efforts resulted in a 200% trade growth from 2021 to 2022. The success of New Balance's repositioning serves as a reminder that brands must evolve with the times to remain relevant and appeal to changing consumer preferences. 

In conclusion, brand repositioning is a strategic tool that can transform a stagnant brand into a thriving one, but this requires careful planning and execution. By understanding their target audience's evolving needs and desires, companies can revamp their brand image and messaging to stay relevant and competitive.

The success stories of Taco Bell, Gucci, and New Balance demonstrate the importance of understanding and adapting to changing consumer preferences. As the market continues to change, businesses must consider brand repositioning to remain competitive. To learn more about effective brand repositioning strategies, keep exploring our blog for more expert insights.

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