Brand Manager

Though you may not know it, you've undoubtedly been influenced by successful brand managers in your life. If you associate the golden arches with salty French fries or think of a cold soda when you see the sweeping Coca-Cola logo, you're aware of the impact that effective branding can have on a consumer. Brand management is critical for modern businesses to maintain a competitive edge in today's increasingly crowded marketplace.

If you have an interest in business and marketing with ample creativity to fuel your daily activities, a position as a brand manager might be the perfect fit for your talents.

What is a Brand Manager?

Branding is an integral part of any marketing strategy. A company's brand is the iconic imagery, text, and tone that shoppers instantly connect with a product or service. You encounter various brands every day, whether you're passing billboards along the highway or making your selections from the crowded shelves at the grocery store. Brand associations influence everything from the gas station you stop at, to the carrier you choose when you're mailing a package.

As a brand manager, you'll help your company develop and maintain a recognizable brand. This includes the logo, color palette, typography, and writing style that the business uses. Your brand image will determine whether you write product descriptions in a technical tone or a light playful style. It will determine the shape and color of packaging, the background music in your television advertising, and the imagery on your Instagram page.

Brand managers work closely with many other departments to make sure all activities are well-coordinated. They work with marketing, sales, finance, customer service, and product development to make sure the customer is getting a consistent experience that's in line with everything the brand stands for. You'll need a keen eye for detail, strong leadership skills, and the ability to multitask for this exciting position.

Job Responsibilities:

• Developing brand guidelines
• Setting a style guide for content marketing
• Evaluating consumer response to the brand
• Determining ROI from marketing activities
• Developing brand strategies for new products and services
• Researching the interests and attitudes of the target customer base
• Evaluating branding as compared to competitors

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What is the Career Outlook for Brand Managers?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't gather employment data specific to brand managers. However, they project 10 percent job growth for promotions, advertising, and marketing managers between 2016 and 2026. This is above average, as the BLS expects job growth of just 7 percent for all occupations in the United States. As digital marketing continues to gain momentum, brands of all stripes will need dedicated managers who can help them stand out in their areas.

Where do Brand Managers Work?

Brand managers typically work in an office environment with standard hours. However, they might find employment in nearly any industry. You could work as a brand manager for a major food company, apparel brand, or car manufacturer. Anywhere there's a product or service to market, there's a need for a smart brand manager to make sure that company can stand out from the crowd.

Every industry and customer base is different. Develop a targeted expertise in an area, and you'll be well-suited to assist associated businesses in distinguishing their products and services. Make sure you're aware of top trends and influencers in a business's area so you can make a compelling case for your unique brand strategy in job interviews. This will go a long way toward demonstrating your aptitude for this position.

What Training is Required to Become a Brand Manager?

Employers typically want brand managers with a minimum of a bachelor's degree. The BBA Digital Marketing degree from Bryant & Stratton College is an excellent choice. This program will equip graduates to develop and evaluate digital marketing programs, select the right marketing strategies for different audiences, and engage meaningfully with customers to build brand loyalty.

This major includes key courses that cover a broad range of critical topics including accounting, marketing, management, consumer behavior, and computing skills. You'll learn about search engine marketing, mobile and email marketing, digital marketing, conversion rate optimization, display advertising, and more. This bachelor's degree gives you a well-rounded background in both business and advertising, so you're equipped to tackle the complex role of a brand manager successfully.

Some employers also their employees to have earned professional certifications such as the Online Marketing Certified Associate (OMCA) or Online Marketing Certified Professionals (OMCP) credential. Earning this professional certification can help meet both educational and work experience standards of the issuing organizations and passing an exam. The cost of the OMCP certification is included in tuition for the  Bryant & Stratton College BBA Digital Marketing degree .

What Can I Do with a BBA Digital Marketing Degree?

A BBA Digital Marketing Degree will prepare you for management positions in many types of marketing and advertising. Some job titles that you may want to look for with this degree include:

• Marketing manager
• Account supervisor
• Business development manager
• Marketing coordinator
• Marketing director
• Product manager
• Assistant brand manager
• Brand strategist
• Creative director
• Digital brand manager
• Marketing analyst
• Marketing communications coordinator
• Social media marketing manager

Expanding your job search to include a variety of related degree areas will give you the greatest chance of success landing a new job with your BBA Digital Marketing Degree. This bachelor's degree will prepare you to work in sales, advertising, digital media, and more. You should find a wealth of opportunities available to you.

Please note that data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a guarantee of employment or job opportunities. You should use this information to gain a general understanding of the state of the marketing industry and how it will likely develop. Keep in mind that unexpected changes in the economy can happen at any time.

For more career insights, check out the business degree section of our blog. There, you'll find detailed information into the many opportunities that await, both as a brand manager and in similar fields. Get started on your path, towards an exciting new career today.