Branded Protest: Branding as a Tool to Give Prostest an Iconic Face

by Ingeborg Bloem, Klaus Kempenaars

Branded Protest takes closer look at the arbitrary – odd – relationship between "branding" and "protest". It researches the power of branding and its influence on current protest movements, giving examples of unique branding efforts that support protest.

In today's world, we find that visual stimulation generally holds the key to success of a message. To streamline the process, branding is becoming an essential part of the communication channel. The success of the protest actions are increased by good branding.

This book is a reference tool which will reflect on current protest developments in context with historic relevant protest movements. To show the differences and the common goal, the focus on the different branding tools of each individual protest is divided into main branding tool directions.

For students, educational professionals, brand and graphic design professionals, and a design interested audience.

Genres: Design

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Jeroen D · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is more important than ever to come up with cohesive strategies to reach as many people as possible. In a world with constant visual and verbal triggers unique branding efforts, used responsibly, can achieve effectual messages to mobilize for a greater cause of marginalized communities. In order to shout one need to know for what and why.

Branded Protest explores some of the most iconic global movements of the last 10 years. Some of the featured movements are explained in the challenging realm of todays “branding” term, others are categorized in a wide-ranging approach to the practice by broadening the definition and taking the original meaning of the term branding. Social, historical, sociological and political-scientific perspectives play as much of a role in this publication as ideas that draw on popular culture, image theory, cultural studies and the arts. At the same time it examines such current developments like the virtualization of activism and the exploitation of these trends in politics and by corporations. The research resulted in a publication with in-depth interviews, detailed commentary and photo-reportage, in order to give activists a platform to tell their story for insight conversation. Branded Protest is a prolific discourse on specific global protest movements with creative and iconic unifiers to amplify their individual cause.

[Hasan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently purchased this book, Branded Protest. It's shocking to me how right on time the messaging is. We are living in a time of upheaval and dissension. Each story highlights a voice of an organization. But the book's focus is not just to highlight these voices of outcry and frustration. It also shines a light on the power of branding and design and how this can be a strong force and often needed to make ones message heard. This visual force for some was very important to establishing their cause. As you go through the book you'll see just how strong these visuals are and understand the reasons why we know them today. As a forever student of design, the book is a study of how important branding can be to any cause.

[Gigi]

This book is extremely tone deaf and offensive. Aside from the writers (who I saw speak in a presentation) who are wildly uninformed, the content of this book is awful. It is not thought out well, and routed in a very capitalistic view. To connect branding to protests, something that is usually in the complete opposite direction of this capitalistic and for profit take and acting as if they came up with some revolutionary commentary on how branding is used is just harmful and incorrect. I do not feel as if they should be receiving the praise they are when they are actively harming and misinforming people. zero stars.

[K. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book that shows how in a highly polarized world struggling between traditional values and a new social order, movements are looking for unifiers. “Branded Protest” communicates how activists, organizers, and NGO’s create a visual identity for their cause to find supporters and resources. The research is a useful document on some of the most iconic global movements of the last 10 years. Not necessarily templates for action but a great resource for inspiration and reference purposes.

[Julia T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to a certain antipathy over the pervasiveness of commercial "branding" today, but explained by this book it makes perfect sense, and has an untold history. Branded Protest is a charged titled. In interviews with activists and organizers, combined with essays, the book dives into the complicated relationship of the two worlds of protest and branding. Impromptu actions benefit from grassroots energy and to avoid fatigue it requires coordination and strategy. “Cause Branding” with the right balance. A fascinating approach with examples in the ever-changing endeavor of cause branding.

[Porsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book from a friend who previous owned it. I decided to read the reviews first and I must say that you can’t always go by somebody else’s words. Glad I didn’t. The book explains the history of some of today’s more relevant movements. I was happy to see they included Pussy Riot and Women’s March. I will continue to read and pass it on. So sad we as people are still dealing with so much divide.

[CL Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read, it explores and provides insights into how marketing and civil unrest can converge to create powerful movements that make a difference in the lives of millions of people. I found it to be particularly interesting and timely at this moment in history when globalization and social media have changed the game in so many ways. Definitely recommend it for anyone wanting proof of marketing's potential and impact.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Branded Protest does not only fundamentally fail to understand the idea of protests but disregards the ideology that fuels them. A book that is meant to insight conversation and be a piece of prolific discourse only suppresses the marginalized individuals they discuss by using exclusive language and outdated ideas of branding and its function.

[Eva Zeven · Rating 4 out of 5]

There could not be a better time to write a book about protest movements than 2020. It is extremely relevant nowadays and because the writers choose to compare the branding tools used by the different movements it is clarifying and insightful. It is the only book that explains the visual and verbal language used by activists and protest movements. Lots of visual examples and well designed.

[Mark Walker · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could be re-titled "Branded Protest: Viewing Protests Through the Lens of White Gaze". It has any blindspots when it comes to interpreting protest movements. I am surprised it came out so recently, this seems like it belongs in the 90s with its lack of nuance in political ideology.

[simon · Rating 1 out of 5]

i feel personally violated that this book was even recommended to me. It is so poorly written and very clearly has no real thought or research behind it. If you want a take from a strictly white & capitalist standpoint then this is for you. 🤮

[Chile Tea · Rating 1 out of 5]

This shit sucks
We weren’t all meant to be authors hang it up

[CJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

YOU ABANDONED YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OF HOSHIDO!
NOW PAY. FOR YOUR BETRAYAL!

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is truly impressive how the authors managed to capitalize off of the efforts of actvists that would probably disapprove of their work.

[Tabitha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book inspired me to protest against it.

[Rudy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. This book isn’t out (just yet) book I am thrilled to be On my way! Of the contributors for it. Although the book will give a back history about the protest movements mentioned, its sole purpose is to highlight what branding had to take place to make a statement. Touching on graphic design, the power of hashtags, social media, chants and even body language, i can see Branded Protest being worked into school curriculum.

[Roger Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an insightful book. Branded Protest taps into the dna of what makes a protest organization/movement more visible. The imagery in the book tells its own story as well. With all the social injustices in the world, this book allows you to learn about a variety of a great number of them. I learned a great deal. I highly recommend it!