Brand and Merek Are Not the Same: What Is a Brand? How Is It Different from a Merek?
Created on 5 July, 2024 • Marketing & Business Communication • 31 views • 2 minutes read
Did you know that "brand" and "merek" (Indonesian for "brand") are actually different? Many people think they’re the same, but they’re not. So, what is a brand? How is it different from a merek?
Brand and Merek Are Not the Same: What Is a Brand? How Is It Different from a Merek?
Did you know that "brand" and "merek" (Indonesian for "brand") are actually different? Many people think they’re the same, but they’re not.
So, what is a brand? How is it different from a merek?
Table of Contents
- What Is a Merek?
- What Is a Brand?
- Applying Brand and Merek in Daily Life
- Conclusion
What Is a Merek?
According to the Indonesian dictionary (KBBI), a merek is a sign given by a company to its products. A merek can be a name, symbol, design, or a combination of these, which creates a product’s identity. A merek makes a product unique and differentiates it from similar products.
For example, you know that all T-shirts look the same at first glance, but they each have their own merek like Nike, Adidas, Supreme, and so on.
What Is a Brand?
A brand is a promise from the seller to the buyer about the special qualities, benefits, and advantages of a product or service. According to the American Marketing Association, a brand encompasses the consumer experience with a product that is unique to that product.
So, a brand includes everything from consumer experience to the quality of the product or service. With high-quality products, your brand will have a good reputation among the public and consumers.
Therefore, a brand is not just about text and logos as identities, but also the image of the company producing well-known merek.
Applying Brand and Merek in Daily Life
Let's use Starbucks as an example of applying brand and merek in daily life.
Why Starbucks? Because it’s an easy and relatable example, and we can look at Starbucks from both the merek and brand perspectives.
We see Starbucks as a merek when we focus on its identity. For instance, Starbucks is the name for Starbucks Corporation's coffee and pastries, recognized by its green circle logo with a white siren illustration in the center.
When we talk about the brand, hearing "Starbucks" makes most people think of friendly service, high-quality coffee, a trendy hangout spot, and even a status symbol.
Thinking of Starbucks as a brand, you don’t just picture a cup of coffee with a green logo; you recall the whole experience of buying and drinking it, something you don’t get at other coffee shops.
If you view it as just a cup of coffee, it might seem expensive. But if you consider it as a brand, the cost might seem worth it for the service and product offered.
When you buy coffee at Starbucks, you receive friendly, professional service. Employees undergo a selection and training process, and paying these employees requires significant funds.
The facilities at Starbucks include beautifully designed and comfortable interiors, full air conditioning, and free WiFi. Additionally, there are intangible aspects like the status symbol of being seen at Starbucks, its history, and more.
Conclusion
Simply put, a merek is a name, while a brand is the image of the owner of that merek. The better the brand, the better the image of the merek they produce and offer. Consumers are even willing to pay more for your products if they perceive your brand positively.
That wraps up our discussion on what a brand is and how it differs from a merek. Don’t mix them up anymore!