Movements are nothing new. We watch them take shape through religion, politics, and social issues. By “movements,” I mean real, coordinated group actions focused on creating significant change. They are the great game-changers of society, and as marketers we just love game-changers. So it’s only natural to ask, can there be brand movements?
To put it another way, has group action ever created movement around a brand? How about Apple? Walmart? Mad River Glen Ski Resort? These are three distinctive brands, and each has spawned distinctive movements. Of even greater interest, perhaps, is the difference between these brands and the many, many brands out there that have failed to create movements.