Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
Other Authors: Enslin, Carla
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2017
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867614079442485248
access_status_str Open Access
author Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
author2 Enslin, Carla
author_browse Enslin, Carla
Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
author_facet Enslin, Carla
Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
author_sort Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/102792
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:46:20.037Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2017
publishDateRange 2017
publishDateSort 2017
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/102792 The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee Enslin, Carla Terblanche-Smit, Marlize Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. University of Stellenbosch Business School. Authentic narrative Branding (Marketing) Brand narrative Brand choice -- Research Customer-based brand equity Generation Y Digital marketing UCTD Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2017. ENGLISH SUMMARY : This study explored the strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment. Authentic narrative gives form to narrative that is original, communicates the brand’s identity and purpose, and aligns with the target audience’s value system in a meaningful way, with the potential to achieve customer-brand resonance – therefore, its strategic value. The discipline of branded entertainment is imbedded in alternative brand contact planning. The term branded entertainment seemingly holds varied meanings among industry professionals and academics. This is of concern as the discipline is growing in importance as a means to disrupt conventional brand communication practice and to break through commercial clutter. One can compare this problem to an industry that for argument’s sake does not understand or agree on the fundamental principles of advertising or public relations, resulting in ineffective communication efforts. In many instances, branded entertainment is employed with an overt sales orientation as opposed to a brand orientation that engages an authentic brand identity-based narrative. The brand communication effort thus comes across as insincere, in particular where Millennials are concerned. This generation responds to brand communication that they can make a genuine emotional connection with and they expect of brands to provide entertaining content in their brand communication campaigns. They furthermore engage with brands on their own terms, something that branded entertainment enables and encourages. The lack of a cohesive understanding and application of branded entertainment erodes its core value, that is to break through clutter and connect with audiences through authentic narrative and thus, the potential for branded entertainment to achieve resonance is depleted. Using a qualitative interpretivist approach with a judgement sampling design, this exploratory study was conducted to engage the perceptions of globally recognised brand communication decision makers, i.e. advertising agency-side strategists and creatives, and client-side marketers on the strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment. Interviews were conducted across six continents with these planners and creators, all who have received the highest international recognition of excellence in the form of multiple Grand Prix and Gold wins at the world’s most respected advertising award shows, for branded entertainment campaigns that they were directly responsible for. Depth of thought and opinion was gained through the exploration of the potential of authentic narrative to achieve brand resonance. The qualitative exploratory research that was conducted delivers a proposed definition: Branded entertainment is a communication effort that employs a compelling authentic narrative to achieve brand resonance, being the primary contribution of the study. This definition is of significance as it provides a common understanding of the branded entertainment construct towards brand resonance and guides the application thereof. Key findings were employed during this study to deliver a conceptual framework for the strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment, being the secondary contribution of the study. The findings can advise brand communication decision makers on sound branded entertainment practice that engages authentic narrative for strategic brand-building success. It is envisaged that those agencies and clients that are responsive to the explorative and experiential nature of authentic narrative employment in branded entertainment planning will find the proposed conceptual framework to be of immediate strategic value. Companies and agencies in need of empirical evidence can apply the key findings of this study in the development of hypotheses for future research. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Doctoral 2017-11-17T12:55:12Z 2017-12-11T10:54:56Z 2017-11-17T12:55:12Z 2017-12-11T10:54:56Z 2017-12 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/102792 en_ZA Stellenbosch University xxv, 447 pages ; illustrations, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle Authentic narrative
Branding (Marketing)
Brand narrative
Brand choice -- Research
Customer-based brand equity
Generation Y
Digital marketing
UCTD
Van Loggerenberg, Marthinus Johannes Coetzee
The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title_full The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title_fullStr The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title_full_unstemmed The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title_short The strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
title_sort strategic value of authentic narrative in branded entertainment
topic Authentic narrative
Branding (Marketing)
Brand narrative
Brand choice -- Research
Customer-based brand equity
Generation Y
Digital marketing
UCTD
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/102792
work_keys_str_mv AT vanloggerenbergmarthinusjohannescoetzee thestrategicvalueofauthenticnarrativeinbrandedentertainment
AT vanloggerenbergmarthinusjohannescoetzee strategicvalueofauthenticnarrativeinbrandedentertainment