Rebuilding a global brand under crisis – case of a global brand Maggi

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study whether the controversy because of brand crisis based on quality had any impact on consumer brand equity, brand image, brand reliability, brand perception of quality, perceived value, brand sentiments and purchase behavior. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology consisted of two types of data: primary and secondary data. The secondary research consisted of social media brand sentiments and financial analysis. The primary research focused on perception study of brand quality, consumer brand equity, brand reliability, brand image, purchase and brand switch behavior. Findings Maggi used social media extensively to address the issue and re-build the brand reliability and confidence among its users. Communication strategy adopted by focusing on the past experience of consumers and using them as a spokesperson generated a positive sentiment towards the brand under crisis. Research limitations/implications While Maggi suffered the backlash because of the controversy across the length and breadth of India and was banned in a number of states, the author could conduct the primary research only in one city of the state of Maharashtra, Mumbai. The effectiveness of the survey was impacted because of the geographic limitations the author faced while collecting the responses. The survey would have definitely been more effective, with responses collected from different states and with more number of respondents. Fishbein is very old, from the 1980s, even though this theory has met the test of time. Application of the effect of experiences on experiential perceptions and how this influences value through networking could have been used to explain the same. Practical implications An important implication of this paper’s findings for practice, therefore, is that brands should incessantly strive to maintain the consumers’ level of trust, as it is essential for the preservation of the brand equity after a crisis. Crisis-stricken brands should safeguard their reputations from the negative effects of crises. It is even more important for any brand to act appropriately when the cause of the crisis is attributed to its actions and processes. Managers have to address the quality of products in case of brand crisis for restoring trust, image and reliability in the brand. Right type of communication to right targeted consumers will help in the restoration of the image, trust on the brand and bring back loyal customers. Managers have to build brand equity on a regular basis, as a strong brand can recover faster as seen from this paper. Originality/value This paper helps to upgrade the knowledge and understanding of the impact of the controversy on brand equity and image and how the crisis management strategy can be adopted to regain the mind share and equity. This paper will help the brands in the future to know how a crisis can be managed efficiently by drawing a cue from the strategies implemented by Maggi.