Brand Research

Artist branding is very simple, as long as the artist you are trying to brand is seen as a positive influence to all ages, especially young people.

Positive influencing is a huge part of selling products, so I did my research to see how artist branding worked and how influencing it was to the target audience.

Pixie Lott.
Everyone knows the lovely blonde 'girl next door' figure and her first album 'Turn It Up'. She was pictured in several 'indie' playsuit outfits from the normal highstreet store 'Topshop' and matching accessories from the online shopping website 'Aldo'. Within days of these pictures being released online, both Topshop and Aldo had sold out of the items that she was wearing. They were in demand from young girls all over the UK and Ireland. Also, few months later 'Lipsy', one of the less well known teenage brand approached Pixie as they really like her 'girly-come-indie' look and wanted her to design her own clothing line that could be sold in their shops. 10 months later, 'Pixie Range' was launched in-store and online at every Lipsy store throughout the UK. 18 months later, she has designed several seasons of clothes including 'Festival', 'Daytime', 'Nightlife' and 'Rock Chick'.

Alexandra Burke. The edgy R'n'B X Factor winner from 2008. Since X Factor, she has brought out only one album but has done lots of modelling for Dolce & Gabbana on international catwalks. She has recently showed a huge passion for accessorising, where she was approached by catalogue retailer 'Argos' to bring out a watch line of her very own where she is included in the designing, choosing materials and distribution process. Released in July 2011- 5 watches can be bought online and instore.


The Wanted. The very good-looking boyband consisting of Jay, Tom, Nathan, Siva and Max- of whom started out back in 2009 and have only just made a real name for themselves within the past 18 months with their excessive social networking and tour schedule. Their artist branding is different to the two above as their brand of merchandise has their faces and/or names on. There merchandise is sold concerts and events they go to and also can be bought online from their official merchandise shop.

This links in with the Pop Star Theory by Dyer who says that 'Pop Star' and 'Pop Performer' are not the same thing.

He says that a 'Pop Star' is a product that is specifically constructed to sell more records and merchandise and not only do they have a fanbase because of their music, they have a fanbase because of the added 'extras' that are manipulated upon the fans.

Whereas a 'Pop Performer' is an artist that has made a name of their own and has the bare talent to get signed by a record label because they are talented and a positive role model to have people want their talent to be heard by the world. They are also usually known for only their musicianship and do not have 'brand awareness' to support them if their career flops.

-Dyer Pop Star Theory-