Using promotional messages to manage the effects of brand and self‐image on brand evaluations

Abstract

Argues that the degree of congruence (similarity) between a brand’s image and a consumer’s self‐image (self‐concept) can have significant effects on consumers’ brand evaluations and purchase intentions. Results from this research suggest that marketers can manage the effects of brand and self‐image on consumers’ brand evaluations. The effects of brand image can be magnified by using promotional messages that encourage consumers to think about their own self‐image while evaluating a brand. Results also suggest that consumers who have self‐images similar to a brand’s image are more persuaded by advertisements encouraging them to think about their own self‐image, whereas consumers who have self‐images different from a brand’s image are more persuaded by advertisements encouraging them to think about only functional product quality.