Identification of Formative Antecedents of Archetypes

Objective This study aims to identify the antecedents of brand archetypes through a cross-sectional analysis conducted in Hamedan, a city in western Iran, between 2020 and 2021. Methodology This research is both fundamental and applied in its objectives, qualitative in nature, and field-based in its execution. Data was collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with open-ended questions, accompanied by note-taking. Given that the research is survey-based with non-probability, purposive sampling, the target population for each brand was determined separately. The samples were selected intentionally based on specific characteristics known to the researcher beforehand, ensuring they would contribute meaningfully to the research objectives. Interviews were conducted with brand owners, managers of well-known brands, and marketing professors. A phenomenological approach and coding using Maxqda software were employed to extract features that serve as antecedents of brand archetypes. Based on these features, the archetype for each brand was determined. Findings The study involved 137 interviews across 12 selected brands. Coding these interviews using Maxqda generated 2,316 codes, consisting of 457 sub-codes, 79 semi-sub-codes, and 12 main codes. From these interviews, specific features were identified as antecedents to each brand's archetype. The findings reveal the following archetypes for the respective brands: Apple as the Creator, Xbox as the Magician, Pepsi as the Jester, Jeep as the Explorer, Diesel as the Outlaw, Rolex as the Ruler, Sony as the Sage, Chanel as the Lover, Coca-Cola as the Innocent, Gap as the Everyman, Nike as the Hero, and Niva as the Caregiver. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that archetypes help in understanding the meaning and concept of a brand, serving as crucial tools for marketing and branding, and distinguishing brands from one another. A brand’s personality is a significant factor in attracting customers. It is the brand’s personality that shapes how customers feel about the brand. Each brand, through its archetypes, connects with customers who have similar personalities. For a brand to succeed in the market, it must establish a deep and meaningful connection with its customers. This connection fosters a sense of loyalty and trust, ultimately attracting customers to the brand and creating customer satisfaction. One of the most effective strategies for building a strong emotional bond between a brand and its customers is to design the brand’s personality around archetypes. This approach deeply influences the customer’s perceptions and emotions, transforming ordinary buyers into loyal, lifelong patrons. The brand’s personality determines how customers feel about it. Brands must connect deeply and meaningfully with their customers, and the best way to achieve this is by designing their personalities based on archetypes. Additionally, the findings of this study can be leveraged to develop effective marketing and branding strategies that build a brand’s identity by utilizing the antecedents of brand archetypes.