In today's fiercely competitive marketplace, establishing a genuine connection with consumers can become a massive competitive advantage. Building trust through transparent consumer branding is a powerful approach to foster loyalty and move up the Brand Engagement Pyramid.

David Ogilvy, the father of modern advertising, once said, "The consumer isn't a moron; she is your wife." He encouraged the creation of brand messages that made human, relevant connections.

This statement holds true decades later in the information age, as consumers are inundated with countless advertising messages daily. To effectively connect with their audience, brands must present a genuine, relatable, and trustworthy image. By doing so, they can ascend the Brand Engagement Pyramid, moving from mere awareness to deep-rooted loyalty and advocacy.

Our Brand Engagement Pyramid is a valuable model for understanding how consumers and employees interact with and relate to brands. At the base of the pyramid, we have awareness – the consumer knows the brand exists. As we move up the pyramid, the relationship deepens, with consumers and employees developing interest, desire, and eventually, loyalty. As in all relationships., transparency is the foundation for building trust, both with consumers and employees - it strengthens emotional connections.

Aesop

An illustration of transparency in action can be found in Australian skincare company Aesop.  The brand’s objective is to formulate skin, hair and body care products using only the best, safest and most efficacious ingredients. Aesop's unwavering commitment to transparency is evident in its meticulously detailed product labelling, which includes information about ingredients, sources, and manufacturing processes.  By providing this level of clarity, Aesop instils trust in consumers, leading to stronger brand loyalty and a higher position on the brand engagement pyramid. Aesop is now a global brand, far from it’s humble beginnings in a little shop in St Kilda.

Who Gives A Crap

Another Australian company leveraging transparent consumer branding is Who Gives A Crap, a sustainable toilet paper brand. By being open about their mission, manufacturing practices, and the use of profits for funding sanitation projects, they have garnered the trust and admiration of consumers. This transparency has not only established Who Gives A Crap as an authentic and trustworthy brand but has also helped them create a loyal customer base that supports their cause.

A prime example of this is the 2018 Australian strawberry crisis, when needles were found in strawberry packages from various brands. In response to the crisis, affected companies immediately communicated the issue to the public and took swift action to recall the contaminated products. They also provided regular updates on their investigations and the measures being implemented to prevent future incidents joining forces with major supermarket chains Coles and Woolworths. By being transparent about the situation, these brands successfully demonstrated their commitment to consumer safety and managed to preserve their reputation despite the crisis. In essence, when mishaps occur, embracing transparency can help mitigate potential brand disasters and reinforce customer trust in the long run.

To successfully build trust through transparent consumer branding, brand owners should consider the following strategies:

• Share your brand's story: A compelling narrative that highlights your brand's values, mission, and journey can foster an emotional connection with consumers, making them more inclined to trust your brand.

• Be open about your processes: Provide detailed information about your products, including manufacturing, ingredients, and sourcing. This openness will reassure consumers about the quality and safety of your products, further building trust.

• Showcase your impact: Communicate the positive impacts your brand has on society and the environment. This transparency will help consumers understand the value of supporting your brand, leading to increased loyalty and advocacy.

• Be open when things go wrong: attempting to cover up issues will not build as much consumer and employee trust as “coming clean”, and being open about the problem and solutions being implemented. A clear strategy should be employed with respect to these communications, rather than a knee-jerk reactive approach.  
  

Ultimately, transparent consumer branding is a powerful tool for building trust and ascending the Brand Engagement Pyramid. By showcasing authenticity, sharing your brand's story, and being open about your processes and impact or even challenges, you can foster a loyal customer and employee base and drive long-term success.

Dovetail is a pioneering branding and agency with offices in Perth and Melbourne, serving clients across Australia. Our unique approach unites three key areas of branding – consumer brand and marketing, HR and employee branding, and events – to create tailored solutions that drive business success. By leveraging our expertise in these interconnected fields, we empower our clients to build strong, consistent, and memorable brand experiences, fostering deeper connections with their customers, employees, and stakeholders. Partner with Dovetail and discover the unparalleled advantage of a holistic branding strategy which moves your brand to the apex of the Brand Engagement Pyramid.