Fixing the brand radar: Brand trackers should be used for management not market research

Abstract

Brand trackers have lost their credibility — they lack relevance, do not provide actionable insights, and can be problematic in terms of governance. The reason for this is simple: they are being used to the wrong ends. Brand trackers are tools for management, not for conducting research studies. They should function as a radar to detect competitive action in the marketplace so that executives can identify and solve issues before they become a problem. This paper proposes five measures to address this issue: (1) aligning the tracker with brand strategy; (2) measuring the content of topical creatives and events; (3) assessing the composition, effectiveness and efficiency of marketing mix touch points; (4) making the tracker adaptive and modular; and (5) mashing it up with the voice of the customer.